John Alexander FRGS
Education
Brought up on a small island, and inspired by the tales of Cousteau and Hass, John learnt to dive aged 10.
Having forged an early connection with the ocean, and enchanted by the silent world, he would study it more closely at Cardiff University before heading to sea with the Royal Navy in 1997.
Royal Navy
Within 4 years he had completed officer training at Britannia Royal Naval College, undertaken operational service in four warships and led boarding teams on counter narcotic operations in the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean.
By the autumn of 2001 he was on his way to train and qualify as a bomb disposal and diving specialist - a Minewarfare and Clearance Diving Officer. This elite cadre are trained to lead, manage and undertake an array of bomb disposal and clandestine tasks ashore, afloat and undersea, and are often at the tip of the spear of combined operations.
Having successfully qualified John would soon return to sea, where as the Second in Command of a Warship, and latterly Captain, he led the Ship’s Company through series of deployments including search, recovery and live mine clearance operations.
Defence Research and Development Toronto
In June 2006 he was selected for a secondment with the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) at Defence Research and Development (DRDC) Toronto, a scientific centre renowned as much for it’s development of decompression diving tables and rebreather innovation, as it is for the evolution of the fighter pilot’s “G Suit.”
Experimental Diving Equipment Trial - Ascending from 70 metres on VIPER Semi Closed Rebreather (Image credit: Doug Elsey)
As one of two Project Officers within the Experimental Diving and Undersea Group, John’s role was to work with the operational community, harness emerging technologies and collaborate with subject matter experts and leading scientists to develop new equipment and diving decompression tables.
For his contribution within scientific research and development, and support to the Canadian Special Forces, John was commended by the RCN and promoted to Lieutenant Commander.
Bomb Disposal and Diving Group Command
Selected to Command one of the UK’s three Bomb Disposal and Diving Squadron’s in 2008, John returned to the UK to manage high readiness operations that span 1500 miles of UK coastline, including the capital, and equates to dealing with 1000 items of live ordnance annually.
London 2012 Olympic Games
Just two months into this role, John was subsequently tasked to support the security plans for the London 2012 Olympic Games. Over the next three years he would lend close support to a variety of agencies advising on maritime matters in key locations, while partnering, planning and preparing his Group to seamlessly integrate into the overall security plan.
Afloat during Operations OLYMPICS this shot captures the culmination of three years of partnering, planning and preparation to support the security of the London 2012 Olympic Games.
Throughout the Olympic Torch Relay, Olympic and Paralympic Games, John and his team joined their strategic partners ready to react to multiple threats in London and Weymouth, and was one of 12 to be awarded with the Standing Joint Commander’s Commendation for his personal contribution and leadership within this key interagency operation.
Visual Storyteller
With a photographic practice that began in 1991, and continued as he documented this first career, John sought out a path to combine his passion for adventure, exploration and storytelling.
In 2014 he turned the page to begin the next chapter and so began a journey that has led him to become a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and an internationally published, AOP accredited, photographer.
John Alexander at 20,000 feet overlooking the Himalayan giants of Mt Everest, Lhotse and Nuptse.
Aim
Inspired by the beauty of the planet and diversity of her citizens, John is an explorer at heart and a storyteller by nature whose aim is to enlighten and inspire.
Exploring overland and undersea his work connects us to characters, cultures and causes, with stories that inspire us to protect and preserve.
Projects
Highlights include Not to Conquer a visual story and exposé of an international expedition as they weave their way to climb Mount Everest, Generations, a cultural study that captures characters and traces the traditions of those that punctuate the landscape, and lastly undersea, to shine a light on community conservation within the waters of the Caribbean in Stewards of the Sea.
Partnerships
If you’ve a cause you’d like to shine a light on, or story you’d like to be told, why not get in touch via email or through Instagram at the link below: