Defence Online

Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key has been appointed to First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff

Maritime October 21, 2021

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has confirmed that Her Majesty the Queen has approved the new appointment of First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff.

Promoted to Vice Admiral in February 2016, he was the Royal Navy’s Fleet Commander from then until March 2019. He is currently serving as the Chief of Joint Operations. He was awarded the US Bronze Star in 2006 for his service in Baghdad, appointed CBE in 2016 and KCB in 2021.

The Commander Joint Operations responsibilities include:

• oversee the completion of UK military objectives for overseas operations and exercises
• deploy, command, sustain and recover all UK Armed Forces for designated operations and exercises
• provide evidence based, policy aware military advice to UK Government
• maintain a robust and agile headquarters that is prepared for crisis and contingency events
• build and maintain relationships with allies and partners’ operational headquarters

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace, said:“I am delighted to congratulate Vice Admiral Sir Ben on his appointment to First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff. Sir Ben Key is an exceptional military officer and I have no doubt he will be outstanding in his new post.

“As the current Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Sir Ben was one of the key architects of the incredible Op Pitting rescue mission, which weeks ago saw the successful evacuation of over 15,000 British nationals and Afghans from Kabul.

“Every day the threats to the UK and our allies multiply, that’s why this Government has made the biggest investment in the Armed Forces since the Cold War, so that we can modernise to meet that threat head on.

“Under Vice Admiral Key’s leadership, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, are in excellent hands.”

Speaking on his appointment, Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key, said: “It is an honour and privilege to be selected as the next First Sea Lord. I am excited at the prospect of leading the exceptional sailors and marines of the Royal Navy through the exciting challenges we have ahead.’

“I look forward to building on the transformation work of my predecessor Adm Sir Tony Radakin and continuing the ambitious modernisation laid out by the government in the IR.

“I have seen close up, as the Chief of Joint Operations, the impact our increasingly globally deployed Navy has had. I am determined we continue to deliver on these opportunities, working with allies and partners around the world in support of the government objectives.”

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Ben Key

Post written by: Matt Brown