UK Names Royal Marine As New First Sea Lord

The U.K. Ministry of Defence has announced General Sir Gwyn Jenkins has been appointed as the new First Sea Lord.

Today’s (Thursday’s) MoD press statement confirmed General Gwyn has been appointed “as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, and Aide-de-Camp to His Majesty.”

General Gwyn commented: “It is an honour to be selected as the next First Sea Lord. I feel extremely privileged to lead the exceptional sailors and marines of the Royal Navy at this pivotal time for U.K. Defence.

“Throughout my career, I have always been motivated by the vital role the Royal Navy has in keeping our nation safe. To do that now, we need to accelerate our return to a war fighting force that is ready for conflict, expand our modernisation efforts and deliver the Royal Navy our nation needs.”

Defence Secretary John Healey congratulated the general on his appointment and added: “As the first Royal Marine appointed to the role, this is a hugely significant moment for the Royal Navy. 

“General Jenkins is a proven leader with a distinguished career in both the military and at the core of government. I know he will deliver in this pivotal role, making Britain secure at home and strong abroad.”

And Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin remarked: “As one of the outstanding Royal Marines of his generation, he brings with him a wealth of operational and organisational expertise.

“His appointment reflects a Corps which is bound even more tightly to the way the Royal Navy thinks, operates and fights.

“In a more dangerous and demanding world, General Jenkins has the instincts and ambition needed to continue the modernisation of the Royal Navy, ensuring it can meet future threats and continue to safeguard our nation’s security and prosperity.”

General Gwyn was first commissioned into the Royal Marines in 1990, serving as a junior officer in the Commando Logistics Regiment and on operations in Northern Ireland with 42 Commando RM.

He gained a master’s degree in Defence Studies in 2004 at Military College Shrivenham having graduated from its Advanced Command and Staff Course. After promotion to Colonel he was deployed for 12 months to Afghanistan; on his return to the UK in 2012 he spent two years as the Military Assistant to the Prime Minister.

As a Brigadier, he spent time in the Cabinet Office and then took command of 3 Commando Brigade before being promoted to Major General in January 2019, first serving in the Royal Navy as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff.

Since August 2024, General Gwyn had served as the Strategic Advisor to the Secretary of State for Defence. 

It was announced that Sir Ben Key had left his post as First Sea Lord citing “personal reasons” on May 6; he had previously intimated that he was planning to depart in the summer.  Other names reported to have been under consideration for the post of First Sea Lord included Lieutenant General Rob Magowan, Vice Admiral Andrew Burns, and Sir Ben’s deputy Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell.

• You can read more about General Gwyn’s promotion on the U.K. MoD website and his career on the U.K. Government website