Potts joined the
Royal Navy in 1979. He became
commanding officer of the
frigate in 1996, commanding officer of the
destroyer in 1997 and a member of the policy and programmes cell at the
Permanent Joint Headquarters in 1998 before becoming Commander Sea Training to the
Flag Officer Sea Training in 1999. and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Capability) and
Controller of the Navy in April 2013. Potts was appointed a
Companion of the Order of the Bath in the
2014 Birthday Honours, and made director general of Joint Force Development and director general of the
Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, with the rank of
vice admiral, on 19 September that year. ==References==