Photo by Jacob Simkin
The United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS) is pleased to announce that Mr. Maxwell Kerley has officially assumed the post of the Director of UNMAS. Mr. Kerley joins UNMAS after having served for several years as the Acting Director of the Logistics Support Division in the Department of Field Support. Mr. Kerley was born in 1952 and joined the British Army in 1970. After training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he was commissioned into the Royal Army Ordnance Corps in 1972. He commanded at the platoon, company and battalion levels in the UK Airborne Forces and undertook a variety of staff and technical appointments throughout his career including two tours as an Ammunition Technical Officer on Explosive Ordnance Disposal duties in Northern Ireland. He commanded a logistic brigade from 1995 to 1997 including 2 tours in the Former Yugoslavia. He was subsequently part of the team responsible for forming the Defence Logistics Organisation in the UK. From 2001 to 2003, he was the Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics and Personnel at the UK Permanent Joint HQ at Northwood and thus responsible for all aspects of logistic and personnel support to UK military deployments worldwide. He first joined the United Nations on secondment in May 2003 as the Deputy Director and Chief of Operational Support Services within Logistic Support Division and assumed the appointment of Acting Director in September 2005. He left the British Army in June 2007. Mr. Kerley is married to Pat, a teacher, and they have 2 children, Daniel (aged 29) and Charlotte (aged 26). A keen rock climber, his other hobbies include running, squash and military history.