Appointed by His Majesty The King, His Excellency (HE) Mr Andrew Murdoch was sworn in as the Governor and Commander-in-Chief in January 2025. As Governor, HE serves as His Majesty’s representative and, under the Constitution, has special responsibility for external affairs, defence including armed forces, internal security and the police.
Before becoming Governor, HE was Legal Director and Director of Ocean policy at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where he was responsible for advising on a wide range of issues concerning international law. HE’s previous experience includes law of the sea, ocean policy, climate change, national security, sanctions, international criminal law, and development issues.
HE headed the UK delegation to the International Criminal Court, chaired the UK’s national committee on International Humanitarian Law, and has been involved in multiple international negotiations.
Governor Murdoch previously served in the Royal Navy, qualifying as a barrister in 2000. He has acted as a prosecutor and defence advocate at courts martial and legal advisor to frontline naval units. He has served at sea (destroyers and frigates) and overseas in operational roles. He left the Royal Navy in 2011 as the Navy's principal internal source of advice on international law, joining the Foreign, Commonwealth Office that year. He is the author of the UK military’s guide to maritime security operations and has published several academic articles on law of the sea issues.