Quick Facts
Biography
Rear Admiral Sir Robert Woodard KCVO DL (born 13 January 1939) is a former Commander of the Royal Yacht Britannia.
Naval career
Educated at Lancing College, the school founded by his great-grandfather, Rev Nathaniel Woodard, Woodard joined the Royal Navy and specialised in aviation. He commanded 771 Naval Air Squadron and 848 Naval Air Squadron and then took charge of the frigate HMS Amazon. Promoted to Captain he was given command of the naval air station HMS Osprey in 1985 and then became Commodore on the River Clyde in 1988 before being appointed Flag Officer, Royal Yachts with specific responsibility for the Royal Yacht Britannia in 1990. He retired in 1995.
He has served as equerry to the Queen and as Deputy Lieutenant of Cornwall. The Sir Robert Woodard Academy, which has been named in his honour, was opened on the site of the previous school, Boundstone Community College, in September 2009.
Family
In 1963 he married Rosamund Lucia Gibbs; they have two sons and one daughter.