Taking command of HMS Portland is definitely the highlight of my 16 years in the Navy. It is a challenge that I am fully trained for and ready to undertake.

She joined the Royal Navy as a warfare officer. She was trained on HMS Battleaxe and later commanded four small ships including the minesweeper HMS Shoreham. She has also worked on the co-ordination and logistics of the evacuation of UK citizens during the 2006 Lebanon War naval operations at the time of the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence and the British naval contribution to the Iraq War.

In May 2012 West assumed command of HMS Portland a Type 23 frigate. She has also worked on the co-ordination and logistics of the evacuation of UK citizens during the 2006 Lebanon War naval operations at the time of the 2008 Kosovo declaration of independence and the British naval contribution to the Iraq War.