Inga Kennedy

Commodore Inga Jane Kennedy, (born 7 September 1962) is a Scottish nurse and retired senior Royal Navy officer. From 2017 to 2021, she served as head of the Royal Navy Medical Service and Medical Director General (Naval). She was the most senior female officer in the Royal Navy by year of promotion. She previously served as Matron-in-Chief of the Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service (2011–2015) and Inspector General of the Defence Medical Services (2015–2017).

Early life and education Kennedy was born on 7 September 1962 in Aberdeen, Scotland to Rhoda and Richard Kennedy. She studied nursing at Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree. She also studied for a postgraduate diploma at the University of Greenwich.

Nursing career Kennedy is a Registered Nurse (RN) and a Registered Midwife (RM).

Military service

Kennedy's military service began as a reservist: she joined the Royal Naval Reserve in 1987. From 1998 to 2000, she undertook full-time reserve service and was a Senior Midwife in the Royal Naval Hospital Gibraltar. She served in Afghanistan at the Joint Forces Command in 2011.

From 2011 to 2015, she served as Matron-in-Chief (i.e. head) of the QARNNS. She was also Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff (Healthcare) at Navy Command Headquarters from 2012 to 2015. From 2015 to 2017, she served as Inspector General of the Defence Medical Services and was based at the Headquarters of the Surgeon General.

Kennedy retired from the Royal Navy on 1 September 2021.

Personal life In 2014, Kennedy married Mark Durkan. She is also a recipient of the Operational Service Medal for Afghanistan, the Queen's Golden Jubilee Medal, the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal, the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal (for 10 years service in the reserve), and the Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (for 15 years service in the regulars).

In June 2021, Saga Cruises announced in a press release that Commodore Inga J. Kennedy CBE QHNS QARNNS, has been named godmother of Saga Cruises’ newest ship, the spirit of adventure. Kennedy has followed the footsteps of HRH The Duchess of Cornwall, who was Godmother to sister ship Spirit of Discovery.