FAA
pilot announced as new 1st Sea Lord

Published: 24 Jan 2013

Following a 43-year career with the Royal Navy, Sir Mark Stanhope is to
stand down as First Sea Lord in April and will hand over the baton to Admiral
Sir George Zambellas. Defence Secretary Philip
Hammond today, 24 January, made the announcement that Admiral Zambellas will succeed Sir Mark as the Chief of the Naval
Staff.

Sir Mark has been head of the Senior Service since July 2009. In a
career which began in 1970, the submariner commanded two boats – Orpheus and
Splendid – then frigate HMS London and carrier HMS Illustrious. After two years
as Commander-in-Chief Fleet, he then succeeded Admiral Sir Jonathon Band as
First Sea Lord.

Sir George joined the Royal Navy in 1980 and is a former helicopter
pilot who has also commanded three ships – minehunter
Cattistock, and frigates Chatham and Argyll. He was
in also in charge of the Royal Navy’s amphibious task force and oversaw the
introduction of HMS Albion and Bulwark into the fleet. He and his staff
supported Operation Highbrow, the evacuation of civilians from the Lebanon, in
July 2006. Most recently he was Fleet Commander – the second most senior post
in the RN – until November 2011 and is currently Commander Allied Maritime Command
(Northwood) for NATO.

As the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff, Adm
Zambellas is the Royal Navy's professional head and
Chairman of the Navy Board. He is responsible to Secretary of State for the
fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale of the Naval Service, and
supports the Secretary of State in the management and direction of the Armed
Forces. As a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, he advises on maritime
strategy and policy, and has a collective responsibility for providing strategic
direction to the department, managing performance and ensuring that Defence
delivers the required outputs.

Dave Clark

FAABA
Rep. Scotland and Overseas.

FNF Representative