At the time of his death he held the voluntary position of National Chaplain to the Royal British Legion.

[2] He later continued his studies and was awarded a Master of Arts (MA) degree by the University of Wales, Lampeter in 2005.

[6][7] He began his navy career at HMNB Devonport and served on board the Type 22 frigate flotilla.

[8] He was then posted to HMS Invincible, serving at sea as its chaplain and also accompanying Queen Elizabeth II when she visited the ship in 2004.

[9] In October 2018, he was awarded the Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (LS&GCM) in recognition of 15 years' service in the Royal Navy:[10] this reflected the change in regulations in 2016 that allowed for regular officers to be awarded the LS&GCM.

[4] He had intended to return to full-time ministry but "Church of England's desk-officers were wary of a talented clergyman with senior leadership experience who had not risen through their own internal-preferment structures".