Ian Jenkins was born in Cardiff and graduated from the Welsh National School of Medicine in 1968.

He was appointed Professor of Naval Surgery in 1988–1991 when he became the Medical Officer in Command of RNH Haslar.

In 1999 he was promoted Surgeon Rear-Admiral and appointed the Medical Director General (Naval) working in Portsmouth.

[1] Ian Jenkins retired as the Surgeon General at the end of October 2006 and from the Royal Navy in January 2007.

[2] He was Chairman of Seafarers UK and a Patron of Children and Families of the Far East Prisoners.