We learn that the General Lighthouse Authorities of the United Kingdom and Ireland (GLA)1 have named Dr Alan Grant as the Head of its Research and Development team. He assumed his new role on 1 November.

As part of his duties Dr Grant heads the GLA’s research and development programme, considering existing and future maritime requirements and operational strategy.

GLA Research and Development (known as GRAD) is tasked with improving maritime safety by developing innovative and cost effective maritime aids to navigation.

At GRAD projects have included all aspects of AtoN including human and machine interaction, operational life and environment. The team has especially deep technical expertise and experience with AIS, VDES, eLoran, e‑Navigation, GNSS, SBAS and visual signaling. 

Dr Grant joined the GLAs in 2003 and has worked on a variety of systems during his time with GRAD.  He led a series of successful GPS jamming trials and the development of the multi-system radionavigation receiver performance standards, from initial concept through to international recognition at the IMO.  He continues to support resilient positioning, navigation and timing (PNT) in maritime navigation at both technical and strategic levels.  

Dr Grant is as a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation RIN, where he is a member of Council and served as a Vice President from 2019-2021.  He is also a member of the US Institute of Navigation and served on the ION Council from 2013-2017. 

At IALA Dr Grant chairs the Radionavigation Services Working Group and is a member of several international standards bodies.  He is a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Physicist, and author of over 120 journal papers, magazine articles, and conference papers.

1 The General Lighthouse Authorities of the UK and Ireland are: Trinity House, the Northern Lighthouse Board and Irish Lights.