First Sea Lord

First Sea Lord and
Chief of Naval Staff
First Sea Lord and ; Chief of Naval Staff
	Ensign of the British Armed Forces
	White Ensign of the Royal Navy
	Incumbent; Admiral Sir Ben Key; since 8 November 2021
	Ministry of Defence; Royal Navy
Type	Naval officer
Status	Military branch chief
Abbreviation	1SL/CNS
Member of	Defence Council; Admiralty Board; Chiefs of Staff Committee
Reports to	Chief of the Defence Staff
Nominator	Secretary of State for Defence
Appointer	The Monarch; On the advice of the Prime Minister, subject to formal approval by the King-in-Council
Term length	Not fixed; typically 3–4 years
Formation	Senior Naval Lord (1689–1771); First Naval Lord (1771–1904); First Sea Lord (from 1904)
First holder	Admiral Arthur Herbert (as Senior Naval Lord); Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher (as First Sea Lord)
Deputy	Deputy First Sea Lord (1917-1919, 1942-1946); Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (1941–1946); Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff
Website	Official Website

The First Sea Lord, officially known as the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff (1SL/CNS) is a statutory position in the British Armed Forces, usually held by an admiral. As the highest-ranking officer to serve in the Royal Navy, the chief is the principal military advisor on matters pertaining to the navy and a deputy to the Secretary of State for Defence. In a separate capacity, the CNS is a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and, thereby, a military advisor to the National Security Council, the prime minister and the monarch. The First Sea Lord is typically the highest-ranking officer on active duty of the Royal Navy unless the Chief of the Defence Staff is a naval officer. Admiral Ben Key was appointed First Sea Lord in November 2021.^[1]

Originally titled the "Senior Naval Lord to the Board of Admiralty" when the post was created in 1689,^[2] the office was re-styled First Naval Lord in 1771.^[3] The concept of a professional "First Naval Lord" was introduced in 1805,^[4] and the title of the office was changed to First Sea Lord on the appointment of Sir John "Jackie" Fisher in 1904. Since 1923, the First Sea Lord has been a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee; he now sits on the Defence Council and the Admiralty Board.^[5]

Responsibilities

The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and a member of the Defence Council. He is responsible to Secretary of State for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale of the Naval Service. As a member of the Defence Council, the First Sea Lord supports the Secretary of State in the management and direction of the Armed Forces through prerogative and statutory powers. As a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, he advises CDS on maritime strategy and policy. He has a collective responsibility for providing strategic direction to the department, managing performance and ensuring that defence delivers the required outputs.^[6]

History

Lords Admiral were appointed from the 15th century; they were later styled Lords High Admiral until the 18th century, and Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty from the 17th century, as the governors of the English and later British Royal Navy. From 1683 to 1684, there were seven paid Commissioners, and one unpaid supernumerary Commissioner. The number varied between five and seven Commissioners through the 18th century. The standing of all the Commissioners was in theory the same, although the First Commissioner or First Lord exercised an ascendancy over his colleagues from an early date.^[7]

The generally recognized office of Senior Naval Lord to the Board of Admiralty was established on 8 March 1689,^[2] with the first incumbent being Admiral Arthur Herbert; he was also First Lord of the Admiralty. On 20 January 1690 Admiral Herbert was succeeded by Admiral Sir John Chicheley^[2] under First Lord of Admiralty Thomas Herbert, Earl of Pembroke.^[7]

On 22 May 1702 the Board of Admiralty ceased control of Naval Affairs and was replaced by the Lord Admiral's Council.^[2] The previous office of Senior Naval Lord was replaced by a Senior Member to the Lords Admiral Council; he was usually a serving naval officer of admiral rank and was the Chief Naval Adviser to the Lord Admiral. This lasted until 8 November 1709, when the Board of Admiralty resumed control of Naval Affairs and the post of Senior Naval Lord was resumed.^[7]

On 2 February 1771 the office of Senior Naval Lord was renamed to First Naval Lord.^[3] The first post holder was Vice-Admiral Augustus Hervey; he first served under First Lord of the Admiralty John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich. In 1805, for the first time, specific functions were assigned to each of the 'Naval' Lords, who were described as 'Professional' Lords, leaving to the 'Civil' Lords the routine business of signing documents.^[7] On 2 May 1827^[8] the Board of Admiralty once again ceased control of Naval Affairs and was replaced, until 1828, by a Lord High Admirals Council.^[7]

The title of the First Naval Lord was changed to First Sea Lord on the appointment of Sir Jackie Fisher in 1904.^[9] In 1917 the First Sea Lord was re-styled First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff.^[10] From 1923 onward, the First Sea Lord was a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, and from 1923 to 1959, in rotation with the representatives of the other services (the Chief of the Imperial General Staff and Chief of the Air Staff), he served as the chairman of that committee and head of all British armed forces.^[a] The title was retained when the Board of Admiralty was abolished in 1964 and the Board's functions were integrated into the Ministry of Defence.^[12]

Under the current organisation, the First Sea Lord sits on the Defence Council,^[13] the Admiralty Board^[13] and the Navy Board.^[14]

Since 2012, the flagship of the First Sea Lord has nominally been the ship of the line HMS Victory, which used to be Lord Nelson's flagship.^[15]

Professional heads of the English/British Armed Forces
v
t
e
	Royal Navy	British Army	Royal Air Force	Combined
1645	N/A	Commander-in-Chief of the Forces (1645/60–1904, intermittently)	N/A. The RAF was formed in 1918
1689	Senior Naval Lord (1689–1771)
1771	First Naval Lord (1771–1904)
1904	First Sea Lord (1904–1917)	Chief of the General Staff (1904–1909)		Inter-service co-ordination was carried out from 1904 by the Committee of Imperial Defence under the chairmanship of the Prime Minister
1909	First Sea Lord (1904–1917)	Chief of the Imperial General Staff (1909–1964)
1917	First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff (1917–present)
1918			Chief of the Air Staff (1918–present)
1923				Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee (1923–1959, held by one of the service heads until 1956)
1959				Chief of the Defence Staff (1959–present)
1964		Chief of the General Staff (1964–present)		Chief of the Defence Staff (1959–present)

Appointees

The following table lists all those who have held the post of First Sea Lord or its preceding positions. Ranks and honours are as at the completion of their tenure:

No.	Name	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Ref.
Senior Naval Lords
1	Herbert, ArthurAdmiral Arthur Herbert (c. 1648–1716)	8 March 1689	20 January 1690	318 days	^[2]
2	Chicheley, JohnRear-Admiral Sir John Chicheley (c. 1640–1691)	20 January 1690	5 June 1690	136 days	^[2]
3	Russell, EdwardAdmiral of the Fleet Edward Russell (1653–1727)	5 June 1690	23 January 1691	232 days	^[2]
4	Priestman, HenryCaptain Henry Priestman (c. 1647–1712)	23 January 1691	2 May 1694	3 years, 99 days	^[2]
(3)	Russell, EdwardAdmiral of the Fleet The Earl of Orford (1653–1727)	2 May 1694	31 May 1699	5 years, 29 days	^[2]
5	Rooke, GeorgeAdmiral of the Fleet Sir George Rooke (1650–1709)	31 May 1699	26 January 1702	2 years, 240 days	^[2]
6	Leake, JohnAdmiral of the Fleet Sir John Leake (1656–1720)	8 November 1709	4 October 1710	330 days	^[16]
7	Byng, GeorgeAdmiral Sir George Byng (1663–1733)	4 October 1710	30 September 1712	1 year, 362 days	^[16]
(6)	Leake, JohnAdmiral of the Fleet Sir John Leake (1656–1720)	30 September 1712	14 October 1714	2 years, 14 days	^[16]
(7)	Byng, GeorgeAdmiral Sir George Byng (1663–1733)	14 October 1714	16 April 1717	2 years, 184 days	^[16]
8	Aylmer, MatthewAdmiral of the Fleet Matthew Aylmer (c. 1650–1720)	16 April 1717	19 March 1718	337 days	^[16]
(7)	Byng, GeorgeAdmiral of the Fleet Sir George Byng (1663–1733)	19 March 1718	30 September 1721	3 years, 195 days	^[16]
9	Jennings, JohnAdmiral Sir John Jennings (1664–1743)	30 September 1721	1 June 1727	5 years, 244 days	^[16]
10	Norris, JohnAdmiral Sir John Norris (c. 1670–1749)	1 June 1727	13 May 1730	2 years, 346 days	^[16]
11	Wager, CharlesAdmiral Sir Charles Wager (1666–1743)	13 May 1730	23 June 1733	3 years, 41 days	^[16]
12	Hamilton, ArchibaldCaptain Lord Archibald Hamilton (1673–1754)	23 June 1733	13 March 1738	4 years, 263 days	^[16]
13	Powlett, HarryLord Harry Powlett (1691–1759)	13 March 1738	19 March 1742	4 years, 6 days	^[16]
(12)	Hamilton, ArchibaldCaptain Lord Archibald Hamilton (1673–1754)	19 March 1742	25 March 1746	4 years, 6 days	^[16]
14	Beauclerk, VereAdmiral Lord Vere Beauclerk (1699–1781)	25 March 1746	18 November 1749	3 years, 238 days	^[16]
15	Anson, GeorgeAdmiral The Lord Anson (1697–1762)	18 November 1749	22 June 1751	1 year, 216 days	^[16]
16	Rowley, WilliamAdmiral Sir William Rowley (c. 1690–1768)	22 June 1751	17 November 1756	5 years, 148 days	^[16]
17	Boscawen, EdwardVice-Admiral The Honourable Edward Boscawen (1711–1761)	17 November 1756	6 April 1757	140 days	^[16]
(16)	Rowley, WilliamAdmiral Sir William Rowley (c. 1690–1768)	6 April 1757	2 July 1757	87 days	^[16]
(17)	Boscawen, EdwardAdmiral The Honourable Edward Boscawen (1711–1761)	2 July 1757	19 March 1761	3 years, 260 days	^[16]
18	Forbes, JohnAdmiral The Honourable John Forbes (1714–1796)	19 March 1761	20 April 1763	2 years, 32 days	^[16]
19	Howe, RichardCaptain The Lord Howe (1726–1799)	20 April 1763	31 July 1765	2 years, 102 days	^[16]
20	Saunders, CharlesVice-Admiral Sir Charles Saunders (c. 1715–1775)	31 July 1765	15 September 1766	1 year, 46 days	^[16]
21	Keppel, AugustusRear-Admiral The Honourable Augustus Keppel (1725–1786)	15 September 1766	11 December 1766	87 days	^[16]
22	Brett, PeircyRear-Admiral Sir Peircy Brett (1709–1781)	11 December 1766	28 February 1770	3 years, 79 days	^[16]
23	Holburne, FrancisAdmiral Francis Holburne (1704–1771)	28 February 1770	2 February 1771	339 days	^[16]
First Naval Lords
24	Hervey, AugustusCaptain Augustus Hervey (1724–1779)	2 February 1771	12 April 1775	4 years, 69 days	^[3]
25	Palliser, HughVice-Admiral Sir Hugh Palliser (1723–1796)	12 April 1775	23 September 1779	4 years, 164 days	^[3]
26	Palliser, HughVice-Admiral Robert Man	23 September 1779	22 September 1780	365 days	^[3]
27	Darby, GeorgeVice-Admiral George Darby (c. 1720–1790)	22 September 1780	1 April 1782	1 year, 191 days	^[3]
28	Harland, RobertAdmiral Sir Robert Harland (c. 1715–1784)	1 April 1782	30 January 1783	304 days	^[3]
29	Pigot, HughAdmiral Hugh Pigot (1722–1792)	30 January 1783	31 December 1783	335 days	^[3]
30	Leveson-Gower, JohnRear-Admiral John Leveson-Gower (1740–1792)	31 December 1783	12 August 1789	5 years, 224 days	^[3]
31	Hood, SamuelAdmiral The Lord Hood (1724–1816)	12 August 1789	7 March 1795	5 years, 207 days	^[3]
32	Middleton, CharlesVice-Admiral Sir Charles Middleton (1726–1813)	7 March 1795	20 November 1795	258 days	^[3]
33	Gambier, JamesVice-Admiral James Gambier (1756–1833)	20 November 1795	19 February 1801	5 years, 91 days	^[3]
34	Troubridge, ThomasRear-Admiral Sir Thomas Troubridge (c. 1758–1807)	19 February 1801	15 May 1804	3 years, 86 days	^[3]
(33)	Gambier JamesVice Admiral James Gambier (1756–1833)	15 May 1804	10 February 1806	1 year, 271 days	^[3]
35	Markham, JohnRear Admiral John Markham (1761–1827)	10 February 1806	6 April 1807	1 year, 55 days	^[3]
(33)	Gambier, JamesAdmiral James Gambier (1756–1833)	6 April 1807	9 May 1808	1 year, 33 days	^[3]
36	Bickerton, RichardVice Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton (1759–1832)	9 May 1808	25 March 1812	3 years, 321 days	^[3]
37	Domett, WilliamVice Admiral William Domett (1752–1828)	25 March 1812	23 October 1813	1 year, 212 days	^[3]
38	Yorke, JosephVice Admiral Sir Joseph Yorke (1768–1831)	23 October 1813	24 May 1816	2 years, 214 days	^[3]
39	Moore, GrahamVice Admiral Sir Graham Moore (1764–1843)	24 May 1816	13 March 1820	3 years, 294 days	^[3]
40	Johnstone Hope, WilliamVice Admiral Sir William Johnstone Hope (1766–1831)	13 March 1820	2 May 1827	7 years, 50 days	^[3]
41	Cockburn, GeorgeVice Admiral Sir George Cockburn (1772–1853)	19 September 1828	25 November 1830	2 years, 67 days	^[7]
42	Hardy, ThomasRear Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy (1769–1839)	25 November 1830	1 August 1834	3 years, 249 days	^[7]
43	Dundas, GeorgeRear Admiral The Hon. Sir George Dundas (1778–1834)	1 August 1834	1 November 1834	92 days	^[7]
44	Adam, CharlesRear Admiral Sir Charles Adam (1780–1853)	1 November 1834	23 December 1834	52 days	^[7]
(41)	Cockburn, GeorgeVice Admiral Sir George Cockburn (1772–1853)	23 December 1834	25 April 1835	123 days	^[7]
(44)	Adam, CharlesVice Admiral Sir Charles Adam (1780–1853)	25 April 1835	8 September 1841	6 years, 197 days	^[7]
(41)	Cockburn, GeorgeAdmiral Sir George Cockburn (1772–1853)	8 September 1841	13 July 1846	4 years, 308 days	^[7]
45	Parker, WilliamVice Admiral Sir William Parker (1781–1866)	13 July 1846	24 July 1846	11 days	^[7]
(44)	Adam, CharlesVice Admiral Sir Charles Adam (1780–1853)	24 July 1846	20 July 1847	361 days	^[7]
46	Dundas, JamesRear Admiral Sir James Dundas (1785–1862)	20 July 1847	13 February 1852	4 years, 208 days	^[7]
47	Berkeley, MauriceRear Admiral The Hon. Maurice Fitzhardinge Berkeley (1788–1867)	13 February 1852	2 March 1852	18 days	^[7]
48	Parker, HydeVice Admiral Hyde Parker (1784–1854)	2 March 1852	26 May 1854	2 years, 85 days	^[7]
(47)	Berkeley, MauriceVice Admiral The Hon. Maurice Fitzhardinge Berkeley (1788–1867)	26 May 1854	24 November 1857	2 years, 182 days	^[7]
48	Dundas, RichardVice Admiral The Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas (1802–1861)	24 November 1857	8 March 1858	104 days	^[7]
49	Martin, WilliamVice Admiral Sir William Martin (1801–1895)	8 March 1858	28 June 1859	1 year, 112 days	^[7]
(48)	Dundas, RichardVice Admiral The Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas (1802–1861)	28 June 1859	15 June 1861	1 year, 352 days	^[7]
50	Grey, FrederickAdmiral The Hon. Sir Frederick Grey (1805–1878)	15 June 1861	13 July 1866	5 years, 28 days	^[7]
51	Milne, AlexanderVice Admiral Sir Alexander Milne (1806–1896)	13 July 1866	18 December 1868	2 years, 158 days	^[7]
52	Dacres, SydneyAdmiral Sir Sydney Dacres (1804–1884)	18 December 1868	27 November 1872	3 years, 345 days	^[7]
(51)	Milne, AlexanderAdmiral Sir Alexander Milne (1806–1896)	27 November 1872	7 September 1876	3 years, 285 days	^[17]
53	Yelverton, HastingsAdmiral Sir Hastings Yelverton (1808–1878)	7 September 1876	5 November 1877	1 year, 59 days	^[17]
54	Wellesley, GeorgeAdmiral Sir George Wellesley (1814–1901)	5 November 1877	12 August 1879	1 year, 280 days	^[17]
55	Key, AstleyAdmiral Sir Astley Cooper Key (1821–1888)	12 August 1879	1 July 1885	5 years, 323 days	^[17]
56	Hood, ArthurAdmiral Sir Arthur Hood (1824–1901)	1 July 1885	15 February 1886	229 days	^[17]
57	Hay, JohnAdmiral Lord John Hay (1827–1916)	15 February 1886	9 August 1886	175 days	^[17]
(56)	Hood, ArthurAdmiral Sir Arthur Hood (1824–1901)	9 August 1886	24 October 1889	3 years, 76 days	^[17]
58	Hamilton, RichardAdmiral Sir Richard Hamilton (1829–1912)	24 October 1889	28 September 1891	1 year, 339 days	^[17]
59	Hoskins, AnthonyAdmiral Sir Anthony Hoskins (1828–1901)	28 September 1891	1 November 1893	2 years, 34 days	^[17]
60	Richards, FrederickAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick Richards (1833–1912)	1 November 1893	19 August 1899	5 years, 291 days	^[17]
61	Kerr, WalterAdmiral of the Fleet Lord Walter Kerr (1839–1927)	19 August 1899	21 October 1904	5 years, 63 days	^[18]
First Sea Lords
62	Fisher, JohnAdmiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher (1841–1920)	21 October 1904	25 January 1910	5 years, 96 days	^[19]
63	Wilson, ArthurAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Wilson (1842–1921)	25 January 1910	5 December 1911	1 year, 314 days	^[20]
64	Bridgeman, FrancisAdmiral Sir Francis Bridgeman (1848–1929)	5 December 1911	9 December 1912	1 year, 4 days	^[21]
65	Mountbatten, LouisAdmiral Prince Louis of Battenberg (1854–1921)	9 December 1912	30 October 1914	1 year, 325 days	^[22]
(62)	Fisher, JohnAdmiral of the Fleet The Lord Fisher (1841–1920)	30 October 1914	15 May 1915	197 days	^[23]
66	Jackson, HenryAdmiral Sir Henry Jackson (1855–1929)	15 May 1915	30 November 1916	1 year, 199 days	^[24]
67	Jellicoe, JohnAdmiral of the Fleet Sir John Jellicoe (1859–1935)	30 November 1916	10 January 1918	1 year, 41 days	^[25]
68	Wemyss, RosslynAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Rosslyn Wemyss (1864–1933)	10 January 1918	1 November 1919	1 year, 295 days	^[26]
69	Beatty, DavidAdmiral of the Fleet The Earl Beatty (1871–1936)	1 November 1919	30 July 1927	7 years, 271 days	^[27]
70	Madden, CharlesAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Madden (1862–1935)	30 July 1927	30 July 1930	3 years, 0 days	^[28]
71	Field, FrederickAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick Field (1871–1945)	30 July 1930	21 January 1933	2 years, 175 days	^[29]
72	Chatfield, ErnleAdmiral of the Fleet The Lord Chatfield (1873–1967)	21 January 1933	7 September 1938	5 years, 229 days	^[30]
73	Backhouse, RogerAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Backhouse (1878–1939)	7 September 1938	12 June 1939	278 days	^[31]
74	Pound, DudleyAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound (1877–1943)	12 June 1939	15 October 1943	4 years, 125 days	^[32]
75	Cunningham, AndrewAdmiral of the Fleet The Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope (1883–1963)	15 October 1943	24 May 1946	2 years, 221 days	^[33]
76	Cunningham, JohnAdmiral of the Fleet Sir John Cunningham (1885–1962)	24 May 1946	29 September 1948	2 years, 128 days	^[34]
77	Fraser, BruceAdmiral of the Fleet The Lord Fraser of North Cape (1888–1981)	29 September 1948	20 December 1951	3 years, 82 days	^[35]
78	McGrigor, RhoderickAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick McGrigor (1893–1959)	20 December 1951	18 April 1955	3 years, 119 days	^[36]
79	Mountbatten, LouisAdmiral of the Fleet The Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1900–1979) ^[b]	18 April 1955	19 October 1959	4 years, 184 days	^[37]
80	Lambe, CharlesAdmiral Sir Charles Lambe (1900–1960)	19 October 1959	23 May 1960	217 days	^[38]
81	John, CasparAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Caspar John (1903–1984)	23 May 1960	7 August 1963	3 years, 76 days	^[39]
82	Luce, DavidAdmiral Sir David Luce (1906–1971)	7 August 1963	15 March 1966	2 years, 220 days	^[40]
83	Begg, VarylAdmiral Sir Varyl Begg (1908–1995)	15 March 1966	12 August 1968	2 years, 150 days	^[41]
84	Fanu, MichaelAdmiral Sir Michael Le Fanu (1913–1970)	12 August 1968	3 July 1970	1 year, 325 days	^[42]
85	Hill, PeterAdmiral Sir Peter Hill-Norton (1915–2004) ^[b]	3 July 1970	9 April 1971	280 days	^[43]
86	Pollock, MichaelAdmiral Sir Michael Pollock (1916–2006)	9 April 1971	1 March 1974	2 years, 326 days	^[44]
87	Ashmore, EdwardAdmiral Sir Edward Ashmore (1919–2016)	1 March 1974	9 February 1977	2 years, 345 days	^[45]
88	Lewin, TerenceAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Terence Lewin (1920–1999) ^[b]	1 March 1977	6 July 1979	2 years, 127 days	^[46]
89	Leach, HenryAdmiral Sir Henry Leach (1923–2011)	6 July 1979	1 December 1982	3 years, 148 days	^[47]
90	Fieldhouse, JohnAdmiral Sir John Fieldhouse (1928–1992) ^[b]	1 December 1982	2 August 1985	2 years, 244 days	^[48]
91	Staveley, WilliamAdmiral Sir William Staveley (1928–1997)	2 August 1985	25 May 1989	3 years, 296 days	^[49]
92	Oswald, JulianAdmiral Sir Julian Oswald (1933–2011)	25 May 1989	2 March 1993	3 years, 281 days	^[50]
93	Bathurst, BenjaminAdmiral Sir Benjamin Bathurst (born 1936)	2 March 1993	10 July 1995	2 years, 130 days	^[51]
94	Slater, JockAdmiral Sir Jock Slater (born 1938)	10 July 1995	8 October 1998	3 years, 90 days	^[52]
95	Boyce, MichaelAdmiral Sir Michael Boyce (1943–2022) ^[b]	8 October 1998	16 January 2001	2 years, 100 days	^[52]
96	Essenhigh, NigelAdmiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh (born 1944)	16 January 2001	17 September 2002	1 year, 244 days	^[53]
97	West, AlanAdmiral Sir Alan West (born 1948)	17 September 2002	6 February 2006	3 years, 142 days	^[52]
98	Band, JonathonAdmiral Sir Jonathon Band (born 1950)	6 February 2006	21 July 2009	3 years, 165 days	^[52]
99	Stanhope, MarkAdmiral Sir Mark Stanhope (born 1952)	21 July 2009	9 April 2013	3 years, 262 days	^[52]
100	Zambellas, GeorgeAdmiral Sir George Zambellas (born 1958)	9 April 2013	8 April 2016	2 years, 365 days	^[54]
101	Jones, PhilipAdmiral Sir Philip Jones (born 1960)	8 April 2016	19 June 2019	3 years, 72 days	^[55]
102	Radakin, TonyAdmiral Sir Tony Radakin (born 1965) ^[b]	19 June 2019	8 November 2021	2 years, 142 days	^[56]
103	Key, BenAdmiral Sir Ben Key (born 1965)	8 November 2021	Incumbent	2 years, 355 days	^[1]^[57]

In fiction

In John Buchan's novel The Thirty-Nine Steps (1915), the First Sea Lord is named as Lord Alloa, an impostor whom Richard Hannay recognizes at a meeting as a spy and recent pursuer of his. Hannay describes Lord Alloa as recognizable from news pictures for his "beard cut like a spade, the firm fighting mouth, the blunt square nose, and the keen blue eyes...the man, they say, that made the New British Navy".^[58] The real First Sea Lord at the time the story is set (early summer 1914) was Prince Louis of Battenberg, coincidentally also bearded.^[59]

Notes

^ In 1955, it was decided to create a new post, Chief of the Defence Staff, who would be chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.^[11]
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Later served as Chief of the Defence Staff.

Citations

^ ^a ^b "Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE has been appointed to First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff". gov.uk. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Rodger 1979, p. 34.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u Rodger 1979, p. 69.
^ Thomas 1988, p. 31.
^ "People – First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff". MoD. Archived from the original on 22 November 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2013.
^ "Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE ADC". GOV.UK. Retrieved 29 June 2023. Text was copied from this source, which is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x Sainty 1975, pp. 18–31.
^ Rodger 1979, p. 91.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 81.
^ Friedman 2015, p. 21.
^ Defence Administrative Responsibilities Archived 17 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine Hansard, 25 October 1955
^ Ministry of Defence (10 December 2012). "History of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Defence website" (PDF). Mod.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2013.
^ ^a ^b The Navy List, 1992, corrected to 31 March 1992, pub HMSO, ISSN 0141-6081 pages 4–5.
The Navy List, 2008, compiled 3 September 2008, pub TSO, ISBN 978-0-11-773081-6 pages 4–5.
^ "MOD Royal Navy". Retrieved 17 June 2016.
^ HMS Victory handed to First Sea Lord in Portsmouth Archived 6 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News, 10 October 2012, accessed 8 October 2016
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x Rodger, p. 51-52
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j "The Commissioners ("Lords") of the Admiralty 1828 – 1895". W Loney RN. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 144.
^ Mackay 1973, p. 315.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 268.
^ "Admiral Sir Francis Bridgeman". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/32062. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)
^ Kerr 1934, p. 238.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 83.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 127.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 130.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 252.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 26.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 164.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 75.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 42.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 21.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 217.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 60.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 63.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 90.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 162.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 189.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 150.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 139.
^ "Sir David Luce". Unit Histories. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 29.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 155.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 115.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 214.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 16.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 158.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 152.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 78.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 235.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 204.
^ Heathcote 2002, p. 23.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e Who's Who 2010, A & C Black, 2010, ISBN 978-1-408-11414-8
^ "Sir Nigel Essenhigh". University of Exeter. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
^ "Admiral Zambellas new First Sea Lord". Inside Government. 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
^ "Admiral Sir Philip Jones takes over as First Sea Lord". Royal Navy. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.
^ "A 'generation of innovators' has been appointed to run the military in a shake-up of the top ranks of the Army, Navy and RAF". The Daily Telegraph. 3 December 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2018.
^ "Admiral Sir Ben Key – who's the new First Sea Lord?". Forces.net. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
^ Buchan 1999, Ch. 8.
^ "Prince Louis of Battenberg". First World War.com. Retrieved 22 March 2020.

Sources

Buchan, John (1999) [1915]. The Thirty-nine Steps. Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0-19-283931-2.
Friedman, N. (2015). The British Battleship 1906-1946. Seaforth. ISBN 9781848322257.
Heathcote, Tony (2002). The British Admirals of the Fleet 1734–1995. Pen & Sword Ltd. ISBN 0-85052-835-6.
Kerr, Mark (1934). Prince Louis of Battenberg: Admiral of the Fleet. London: Longmans, Green and Co.
Mackay, Ruddock F. (1973). Fisher of Kilverstone. London: Oxford University Press. ISBN 978-0198224099.
Rodger, N.A.M. (1979). The Admiralty. Offices of State. Lavenham: T. Dalton Ltd. ISBN 0900963948.
Sainty, J.C., ed. (1975). Lord High Admiral and Commissioners of the Admiralty 1660-1870, Office-Holders in Modern Britain. Vol. 4: Admiralty Officials 1660-1870. Archived from the original on 7 October 2014. Retrieved 4 September 2009.
Thomas, David A (1988). A companion to the Royal Navy. Harrap. ISBN 0-245-54572-7.

[12] In 1955, it was decided to create a new post, Chief of the Defence Staff, who would be chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee.^[11]

[CDS-38] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f Later served as Chief of the Defence Staff.

[key-1] "Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE has been appointed to First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff". gov.uk. 15 October 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.

[FOOTNOTERodger197934-2] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j Rodger 1979, p. 34.

[FOOTNOTERodger197969-3] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u Rodger 1979, p. 69.

[FOOTNOTEThomas198831-4] Thomas 1988, p. 31.

[firstsealordandchiefofnavalstaff-5] "People – First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff". MoD. Archived from the original on 22 November 2012. Retrieved 23 July 2013.

[6] "Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE ADC". GOV.UK. Retrieved 29 June 2023. Text was copied from this source, which is available under the Open Government Licence v3.0. © Crown copyright.

[FOOTNOTESainty197518–31-7] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x Sainty 1975, pp. 18–31.

[FOOTNOTERodger197991-8] Rodger 1979, p. 91.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200281-9] Heathcote 2002, p. 81.

[FOOTNOTEFriedman201521-10] Friedman 2015, p. 21.

[11] Defence Administrative Responsibilities Archived 17 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine Hansard, 25 October 1955

[13] Ministry of Defence (10 December 2012). "History of the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Defence website" (PDF). Mod.uk. Retrieved 3 June 2013.

[NavyListModern-14] The Navy List, 1992, corrected to 31 March 1992, pub HMSO, ISSN 0141-6081 pages 4–5.
The Navy List, 2008, compiled 3 September 2008, pub TSO, ISBN 978-0-11-773081-6 pages 4–5.

[15] "MOD Royal Navy". Retrieved 17 June 2016.

[hmsvictory-16] HMS Victory handed to First Sea Lord in Portsmouth Archived 6 March 2019 at the Wayback Machine, BBC News, 10 October 2012, accessed 8 October 2016

[rodger51-52-17] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w ^x Rodger, p. 51-52

[PDavis-18] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j "The Commissioners ("Lords") of the Admiralty 1828 – 1895". W Loney RN. Retrieved 25 January 2014.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002144-19] Heathcote 2002, p. 144.

[FOOTNOTEMackay1973315-20] Mackay 1973, p. 315.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002268-21] Heathcote 2002, p. 268.

[22] "Admiral Sir Francis Bridgeman". Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (online ed.). Oxford University Press. doi:10.1093/ref:odnb/32062. (Subscription or UK public library membership required.)

[FOOTNOTEKerr1934238-23] Kerr 1934, p. 238.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200283-24] Heathcote 2002, p. 83.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002127-25] Heathcote 2002, p. 127.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002130-26] Heathcote 2002, p. 130.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002252-27] Heathcote 2002, p. 252.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200226-28] Heathcote 2002, p. 26.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002164-29] Heathcote 2002, p. 164.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200275-30] Heathcote 2002, p. 75.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200242-31] Heathcote 2002, p. 42.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200221-32] Heathcote 2002, p. 21.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002217-33] Heathcote 2002, p. 217.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200260-34] Heathcote 2002, p. 60.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200263-35] Heathcote 2002, p. 63.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200290-36] Heathcote 2002, p. 90.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002162-37] Heathcote 2002, p. 162.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002189-39] Heathcote 2002, p. 189.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002150-40] Heathcote 2002, p. 150.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002139-41] Heathcote 2002, p. 139.

[42] "Sir David Luce". Unit Histories. Retrieved 25 January 2014.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200229-43] Heathcote 2002, p. 29.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002155-44] Heathcote 2002, p. 155.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002115-45] Heathcote 2002, p. 115.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002214-46] Heathcote 2002, p. 214.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200216-47] Heathcote 2002, p. 16.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002158-48] Heathcote 2002, p. 158.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002152-49] Heathcote 2002, p. 152.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200278-50] Heathcote 2002, p. 78.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002235-51] Heathcote 2002, p. 235.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote2002204-52] Heathcote 2002, p. 204.

[FOOTNOTEHeathcote200223-53] Heathcote 2002, p. 23.

[WW-54] Who's Who 2010, A & C Black, 2010, ISBN 978-1-408-11414-8

[55] "Sir Nigel Essenhigh". University of Exeter. Archived from the original on 3 February 2014. Retrieved 25 January 2014.

[56] "Admiral Zambellas new First Sea Lord". Inside Government. 9 April 2013. Retrieved 25 January 2014.

[Jones-57] "Admiral Sir Philip Jones takes over as First Sea Lord". Royal Navy. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 8 April 2016.

[58] "A 'generation of innovators' has been appointed to run the military in a shake-up of the top ranks of the Army, Navy and RAF". The Daily Telegraph. 3 December 2018. Archived from the original on 12 January 2022. Retrieved 3 December 2018.

[59] "Admiral Sir Ben Key – who's the new First Sea Lord?". Forces.net. 8 November 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.

[FOOTNOTEBuchan1999Ch._8-60] Buchan 1999, Ch. 8.

[61] "Prince Louis of Battenberg". First World War.com. Retrieved 22 March 2020.

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v t e First Sea Lords of the Royal Navy
Senior Naval Lords (1689–1771)	Arthur Herbert Sir John Chicheley Edward Russell Henry Priestman Earl of Orford Sir George Rooke Sir John Leake Sir George Byng Sir John Leake Sir George Byng Matthew Aylmer Sir George Byng Sir John Jennings Sir John Norris Sir Charles Wager Lord Archibald Hamilton Lord Harry Powlett Lord Archibald Hamilton Lord Vere Beauclerk Lord Anson Sir William Rowley Edward Boscawen Sir William Rowley Edward Boscawen John Forbes Earl Howe Sir Charles Saunders Augustus Keppel Sir Peircy Brett Sir Francis Holburne
First Naval Lords (1771–1904)	Augustus Hervey Sir Hugh Palliser Robert Man George Darby Sir Robert Harland Sir Hugh Pigot John Leveson-Gower Lord Hood Sir Charles Middleton James Gambier Sir Thomas Troubridge James Gambier John Markham James Gambier Sir Richard Bickerton William Domett Sir Joseph Yorke Sir Graham Moore Sir William Johnstone Hope Sir George Cockburn Sir Thomas Hardy The Hon. George Dundas Charles Adam Sir George Cockburn Sir Charles Adam Sir George Cockburn Sir William Parker Sir Charles Adam Sir James Dundas The Hon. Maurice Berkeley Hyde Parker The Hon. Maurice Berkeley The Hon. Sir Richard Dundas William Martin The Hon. Sir Richard Dundas The Hon. Sir Frederick Grey Sir Alexander Milne Sir Sydney Dacres Sir Alexander Milne Sir Hastings Yelverton Sir George Wellesley Sir Astley Key Sir Arthur Hood Lord John Hay Sir Arthur Hood Sir Richard Hamilton Sir Anthony Hoskins Sir Frederick Richards Lord Walter Kerr
First Sea Lords (1904–present)	Sir John Fisher Sir Arthur Wilson Sir Francis Bridgeman Prince Louis of Battenberg The Lord Fisher Sir Henry Jackson Sir John Jellicoe Sir Rosslyn Wemyss The Earl Beatty Sir Charles Madden, Bt Sir Frederick Field The Lord Chatfield Sir Roger Backhouse Sir Dudley Pound The Lord Cunningham of Hyndhope Sir John Cunningham The Lord Fraser of North Cape Sir Rhoderick McGrigor The Earl Mountbatten of Burma Sir Charles Lambe Sir Caspar John Sir David Luce Sir Varyl Begg Sir Michael Le Fanu Sir Peter Hill-Norton Sir Michael Pollock Sir Edward Ashmore Sir Terence Lewin Sir Henry Leach Sir John Fieldhouse Sir William Staveley Sir Julian Oswald Sir Benjamin Bathurst Sir Jock Slater Sir Michael Boyce Sir Nigel Essenhigh Sir Alan West Sir Jonathon Band Sir Mark Stanhope Sir George Zambellas Sir Philip Jones Sir Antony Radakin Sir Ben Key

v t e Admiralty Board
Chairman	Secretary of State for Defence
Civilian	Minister of State for the Armed Forces Minister for Defence Personnel, Welfare and Veterans Minister for Reserves Under Secretary of State & the Lords Spokesman on Defence Finance Director (Navy)
Naval	First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Fleet Commander Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy)

v t e Navy Board
Naval	First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff Second Sea Lord and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff Fleet Commander Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy)
Civilian	Finance Director (Navy) Non Executive Director

v t e Navy Command (Ministry of Defence)
oversight	Defence Board− Chief of the Defence Staff Group Permanent Under Secretary (PUS) Group
TLB holder	First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff (TLB Holder)
TLB group under TLB holder	Fleet Commander Second Sea Lord, (2SL) and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy) Finance Director (Navy) Non-Executive Director, Navy Board
Fleet Command	Fleet Commander– Commander United Kingdom Strike Force Commander Maritime Operations Director Force Generation Commander Fleet Operational Sea Training Commandant General Royal Marines
maritime forces	Commander United Kingdom Strike Force– Commander UK Carrier Strike Group Commander Littoral Strike Group Assistant Chief of Staff Land and Littoral Manoeuvre and Deputy Commandant General Royal Marines
amphibious forces	Commander Littoral Strike Group
maritime operations	Commander Maritime Operations– Deputy Commander Operations Commander 3 Commando Brigade Commander Surface Flotilla Commander Submarine Flotilla
naval training	Commander Fleet Operational Sea Training– Deputy Director Future Training Commanding Officer Maritime Warfare School
regional forces	Commander Regional Forces and Naval Regional Commander Eastern England Naval Regional Commander Wales & Western England Naval Regional Commander Northern England Naval Regional Commander Scotland & Northern Ireland
navy personnel and capability	Second Sea Lord, (2SL) and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff– Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy) Director People & Training and Naval Secretary Director Navy Acquisition Director Develop Director, Ships Support Transformation and Chief Naval Engineer Commodore Maritime Reserves Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Aviation, Amphibious Capability & Carriers) Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Aviation & Carriers) Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Submarines)/Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland Chaplain of the Fleet Chief of Staff Navy Command (HQ)
naval personnel	Director People & Training and Naval Secretary Commodore Maritime Reserves – Assistant Chief of Staff Medical/Head of the Royal Naval Medical Service/Medical Director General (Navy) Naval Assistant, ACNS (Personnel) (Naval Secretary) Deputy Director People Delivery Commodore Naval Legal Services Commander Regional Forces Head of Strategic Engagement, Naval Staff
naval capability	Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Capability)– Assistant Chief of Staff Warfare Assistant Chief of Staff Maritime Capability Chief Technology Officer
aviation and carriers	Deputy Director Naval Aviation – Deputy Director Naval Aviation and Commodore Fleet Air Arm Commanding Officer Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton
submarines	Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Submarines)/Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland– Assistant Chief of Staff, Submarines
surface ships	Commodore RFA and Deputy Director Royal Navy Afloat Support
support	Director Naval Support Assistant Chief of Staff Engineering Support Base Commander HM Naval Base Portsmouth Base Commander HM Naval Base Devonport Base Commander HM Naval Base Clyde
policy	Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy)– Commodore, Naval Staff
finance and resources	Finance Director (Navy)– Assistant Chief of Staff Resources and Plans Command Secretary (Command Secretariat) Navy Safety Director

v t e Navy Department (Ministry of Defence)
political head ministers	Office of the Minister of Defence for the Royal Navy (1964-1967) Office of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence for the Royal Navy (1967-1981) Deputy Under-Secretary of State (Navy) (1967-1981) Office of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for the Armed Forces (1981-1990) Office of the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Defence (1991-1997)
governance	Defence Council Defence Board Admiralty Board Navy Board
military head	First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff
office of the first sea lord	Office of the Vice-Chief of the Naval Staff Office of the Deputy-Chief of the Naval Staff Office of the Naval Secretary-flag officer appointments - Naval Assistant to Naval Secretary-captains appointments Director of Naval Officer Appointments Director of Naval Officer Appointments (Engineer Officers) Director of Naval Officer Appointments (Seaman Officers) Director of Naval Officer Appointments (Supply and Secretariat and WRNS Officers) Director of Naval Security (1988-) Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord Secretary to the First Sea Lord
under Vice & Deputy Chief of Naval Staff	Offices of the Assistant Chiefs of the Naval Staff Commandant General Royal Marines Chief of Staff Colonel General Staff (Assistant Chief of Staff) Military Secretary (Royal Marines) Assistant Adjutant-General (Royal Marines) Assistant Quartermaster- General (Royal Marines) Director Royal Marines Reserves Directorate of Naval Security Director of Naval Security Hydrographer of the Navy Assistant Hydrographer Officers appointments Director of Naval Oceanography and Meteorology Director of Hydrographic Plans and Surveys Director of Hydrographic Charting and Sciences Director of Hydrographic Administration and Supply
Air, Operations, Plans, Policy requirements, warfare	Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Policy) Assistant of Chief Defence Staff (Pol) Naval Staff Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations) Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operations and Air) Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Ops) Naval Staff Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Operational Requirements) Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Warfare)
naval staff directorates offices & branches	Directorate of Communications & Information Systems (Navy) Directorate of Defence Plans (Navy) Directorate of Defence Policy(Naval) Directorate of Fleet Management Services Directorate of Naval Air Warfare Operation Directorate of Naval Management and Organisation Directorate of Operational Analysis (RN) Directorate of Naval Operations and Trade Directorate of Naval Operational Requirements Directorate of Naval Plans Directorate of Naval Tactical and Weapons Policy Directorate of Naval Security Directorate of Naval Signals Directorate of Naval Staff Duties Directorate of Navigation and Tactical Control (Naval) Directorate of Surface Warfare (Naval) Directorate of Under-Sea Warfare (Naval) Hydrographic Department Naval Historical Branch Naval Historical Library Naval Staff Directorate Plans and Resources Division
naval personnel	Office of the Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel
naval personnel department	Office of the Chief Naval Supply and Secretariat Officer Office of the Chaplain of the Fleet-became Royal Navy Chaplaincy Service Principal Chaplain Church of Scotland & Free Churches (Naval) Principal Roman Catholic Chaplain (Naval) Directorate General Training Directorate-General Naval Manpower and Training Director of Naval Manpower Planning Director of Naval Manpower Requirements Director of Naval Manning and Training (Seaman) Director of Naval Manning and Training (Engineering) Director of Naval Manning and Training (Supply and Secretariat) Director of Naval Training Support Naval Manpower Statistics Branch Director of Naval Foreign and Commonwealth Training Director of Naval Education Service Joint Warfare Establishment Directorate-General Naval Personnel Services Directorate of Naval Officer Appointments Directorate of Naval Physical Training and Sports Head of Naval Social Service Directorate of Naval Service Conditions Director of Naval Service Conditions Directorate of Fleet Supply Duties (1964-1973) General Manager Royal Navy Film Corporation Job Evaluation Judge Naval Recruitment Training Agency Office of the Admiral Commanding, Reserves Office of the Medical Director-General of the Navy Office of the Medical Director-General (Naval) Deputy Director-General (Naval) Director Naval Dental Services Director of Medical Personnel and Logistics Director of Naval Recruiting Women's Royal Naval Service Headquarters became- Office of the Matron-in-Chief Queen Alexandra's Royal Naval Nursing Service
controller	Controller of the Navy
controllers department navy controllerate	Assistant Controller of the Navy Office of the Chief Executive Polaris Deputy Controller Polaris Department of the Director of Naval Construction Weapons Department (Naval) Director-General Weapons (Naval) Director Weapons Coordination and Acceptance (Naval) Co-Ordination Directorate Compass Directorate Director Naval Ordnance Services Director Naval Weapons Contracts B Director Underwater Weapons Projects (Naval) Director Weapons Surface Projects (Naval) Director Surface Electronic Projects (Naval) Department of the Director-General Aircraft (Naval) Naval Ordnance Inspection Directorate Production Directorate Director Weapons Production (Naval) Surface Weapons Research and Development Directorate Under Water Weapons Research and Development Directorate Weapons Equipment Surface Directorate Ship Department Deputy Director-General Ships- Director of Contracts (Ships) Director Engineering (Ships) Director of Electrical Engineering Director of Naval Construction Director of Naval Equipment Director of Project Team Submarines/Polaris Director of Resources and Programmes (Ships) Director Warship Design Directorate of Naval Construction Marine Engineering Directorate Naval Equipment Division Naval Equipment Directorate Naval Electrical Engineering Directorate Naval Ship Production Directorate Principal Director of Navy Contracts
naval supplies and transport fleet support hq naval support command	Office of the Chief of Naval Supplies and Transport Office of the Chief of Fleet Support
under naval supplies and transport fleet support hq naval support command	Assistant Chief of Fleet Support Director of Naval Administrative Planning Director of Fleet Supply Duties Director of Fleet Maintenance Director of Marine Services Head of Aircraft Department (Naval) HQ Director of Quartering (Navy) Civil Catering Department Contract and Purchase Department (Naval) Department of Fuel Movements and Transport (Naval) Department of Dockyards and Fleet Maintenance Dockyard Division Fleet Maintenance Division Marine Services Division Office of the Chief Executive Royal Dockyards- Director of Dockyard Manpower and Productivity Director of Dockyard Production and Support Director of Finance and Administration Directorate-General of Supplies and Transport Director of Supplies and Transport (Management and Administration) Director of Supplies and Transport (General and Victualling) Victualling Division Director of Supplies and Transport (Fuel and Movements) Director of Supplies and Transport (Armament and Specialist) Director of Supplies and Transport (Finance) Naval Stores Department Royal Naval Supply and Transport Service Victualling Department (1832-1971)
chief scientists department	Office of the Chief Scientist (Royal Navy) also Deputy Controller Research and Development Establishments, and Research A Director Research Ships Director Research Underwater
under chief scientists department	Royal Naval Scientific Service Headquarters Deputy Chief Scientist (Navy) Directorate Naval Operational Studies Director of Naval Operational Studies Office of the Senior Psychologist (Naval) Admiralty Compass Observatory Department of Naval Physical Research Department of Research and Development Services (Naval) Department of Material Research (Naval) Director-General Establishments, Resources and Programmes A Admiralty Engineering Laboratory Admiralty Experiment Works Admiralty Marine Engineering Establishment Admiralty Oil Laboratory Admiralty Research Laboratory Admiralty Research Establishment Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment Naval Construction Research Establishment Royal Naval Physiological Laboratory Royal Radar Establishment Signals Research and Development Establishment Director-General Research Electronics Services Electronics Research Laboratory
naval home command	Naval Home Command
Shore units under Naval Home Command	Admiral-Superintendent, Devonport Admiral-superintendent, Portsmouth Admiral Commanding, Reserves Commodore, Clyde Submarine Base Chief Executive Officer Marine Services Flag Officer Commanding, Royal Yachts Flag Officer, Medway Flag Officer, Plymouth Port Admiral, Devonport Flag Officer, Portsmouth and Admiral-superintendent, Portsmouth Flag Officer Spithead and Port Admiral Portsmouth Flag Officer, Training and Recruitment Senior Naval Officer, Northern Ireland
Fleets	Home Fleet Far East Fleet Mediterranean Fleet Western Fleet Commander-in-Chief Fleet
under c-in-c, fleet	Chief of Staff Fleet Chief of Staff, (Warfare) Fleet Chief of Staff (Capability) Fleet Chief of Staff (Personnel) Fleet Assistant Chief of Staff, Operations Assistant Chief of Staff, Plans Assistant Chief of Staff, Warfare Command Secretary, Fleet Commandant General Royal Marines Commander British Forces Gibraltar Commander Operations Commander UK Amphibious Forces Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces Flag Officer, Carriers and Amphibious Ships Flag Officer First Flotilla Flag Officer, Second Flotilla Flag Officer, Third Flotilla Flag Officer, Surface Flotilla Flag Officer Gibraltar and Gibraltar Naval Base Commander Flag Officer Scotland, Northern England, Northern Ireland Flag Officer Scotland and Northern Ireland Flag Officer Plymouth Flag Officer Sea Training Flag Officer Submarines Flag Officer Naval Air Command Flag Officer, Flying Training Flag Officer, Naval Flying Training
under c-in-c home fleet, far east fleet mediterranean fleet, western fleet	Flag Officer Second-in-Command Far East Fleet Chief of Staff, Far East Fleet Commodore, Amphibious Forces, Far East Fleet Commodore-in-Charge, Hong Kong Mediterranean Fleet Chief of Staff Mediterranean Fleet Flag Officer, Gibraltar Commodore (D) Commanding, Mediterranean Fleet Destroyers Rear-Admiral (D) Commanding, Mediterranean Fleet Destroyers Vice-Admiral (D) Commanding, Mediterranean Fleet Destroyers Western Fleet Chief of Staff, Western Fleet
civil administration navy department	Office of the Second Permanent Under-Secretary of State (Royal Navy) Office of the Second Permanent Under-Secretary of State (Administration)
under civil administration	Department of the Permanent Under-Secretary of State (Royal Navy) Department of the Permanent Under-Secretary of State (Administration) Greenwich Hospital Department
Naval Legal	Office of the Counsel to the Navy Department, Ministry of Defence Office of the Judge Advocate of the Fleet Office of the Chief Naval Judge Advocate

First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff
Ensign of the British Armed Forces
White Ensign of the Royal Navy
Incumbent Admiral Sir Ben Key since 8 November 2021
Ministry of Defence Royal Navy
Type	Naval officer
Status	Military branch chief
Abbreviation	1SL/CNS
Member of	Defence Council Admiralty Board Chiefs of Staff Committee
Reports to	Chief of the Defence Staff
Nominator	Secretary of State for Defence
Appointer	The Monarch On the advice of the Prime Minister, subject to formal approval by the King-in-Council
Term length	Not fixed typically 3–4 years
Formation	Senior Naval Lord (1689–1771) First Naval Lord (1771–1904) First Sea Lord (from 1904)
First holder	Admiral Arthur Herbert (as Senior Naval Lord) Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher (as First Sea Lord)
Deputy	Deputy First Sea Lord (1917-1919, 1942-1946) Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (1941–1946) Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff
Website	Official Website

v t e Department of Admiralty
Direction and control of Admiralty and Naval affairs	Office of First Lord of the Admiralty and President of the Board of Admiralty Lord High Admirals Council Admiralty buildings
Boards and offices under the First Lord	Board of Admiralty Navy Board Navy Office Navy Pay Office Office of the Naval Secretary Office of the First Naval Lord Office of the First Sea Lord Office of the Senior Naval Lord Office of the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Admiralty Office of the Private Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty
Direction of Admirals Naval/Sea Lords War and Naval Staff	Office of the Senior Naval Lord Office of the First Naval Lord Office of the First Sea Lord
Secretariat and staff under the First Sea Lord	Office of the Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord Office of the Additional Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord Office of the Hydrographer of the Navy Offices of the Sea Lords Admiralty Navy War Council Admiralty War Staff Admiralty Naval Staff
Operational planning, policy strategy, tactical doctrine requirements	Admiralty Navy War Council Admiralty War Staff Admiralty Naval Staff
Divisions and sections under the War and Naval Staff	Administrative Planning Department Administrative Planning Division Air Division Anti-Submarine Division Anti-Submarine and Warfare Division Anti-U-boat Division Air Warfare Division Air Warfare and Fly Training Division Air Warfare and Training Division Combined Operations Division Communications Division Convoy Section Directorate of Defence Plans (Navy) Economic Warfare Division Gunnery and Anti-Aircraft Warfare Division Gunnery Division Gunnery and Torpedo Division Historical Section Local Defence Division Division Mercantile Movements Division Naval Air Division Naval Air Organisation and Training Division Naval Artillery and Torpedoes Division Navigation and Direction Division Navigation Division Minesweeping Division Mobilisation Division Naval Intelligence Division Operations Division Operations Division (Home) Operations Division (Foreign) Operations Division (Mining) Plans Division Plans Division (Q) Press Division Signal Division Signal Section Standardisation Division Tactical Division Tactical and Weapons Policy Division Torpedo Division Torpedo, Anti-Submarine and Minewarfare Division Trade Division Trade and Operations Division Training and Staff Duties Division Tactical and Staff Duties Division Undersurface Warfare Division
Offices of the Sea Lords	Office of the Second Sea Lord Office of the Third Sea Lord Office of the Fourth Sea Lord Office of the Fifth Sea Lord
Admiralty civil departments and organisations under the Sea Lords	Admiralty Area Cash Offices Admiralty Central Dockyard Laboratory Admiralty Central Metallurgical Laboratory Admiralty Civilian Shore Wireless Service Admiralty Compass Observatory Admiralty Constabulary Admiralty Constabulary Headquarters Admiralty Engineering Laboratory Admiralty Experimental Station Admiralty Experiment Works Admiralty Gunnery Establishment Admiralty Interview Board Admiralty Labour Department Admiralty Marine Technology Establishment Admiralty Materials Laboratory Admiralty Mine Design Department Admiralty Mining Establishment Admiralty Naval Aircraft Materials Laboratory Admiralty Record Office Admiralty Regional Offices Admiralty Research Laboratory Admiralty Signal Establishment Admiralty Signals and Radar Establishment Admiralty Surface Weapons Establishment Admiralty Surveying Service Admiralty Torpedo Experimental Establishment Admiralty Underwater Weapons Establishment Admiralty Underwater Weapons Launching Establishment Architectural and Engineering Works Department Air Equipment and Naval Photography Department Air Department Air Materiel Department Air Personnel Department Amphibious Warfare Headquarters Armament Supply Department Board of Invention and Research Board of Longitude Boom Defence Department Boom Defence and Marine Salvage Department Britannia Royal Naval College Chemical Board Chemical Department Civil Catering Department Civil Engineer in Chiefs Department Coastguard and Reserves Branch Combined Operations Headquarters Commissioner for Property and Income-tax for the Naval Department Compass Department Contract and Purchase Department Council of Naval Education Dental Examining Board Department of Radio Equipment Department of the Accountant-General of the Navy Department of Aeronautical and Engineering Research Department of Miscellaneous Weapons Development Department of Naval Assistant (Foreign) to Second Sea Lord Department of Naval Education Operational Research Department of Personal Services and Officer Appointments Department of Physical Research Department of Physical Training & Sports Department of Radio Equipment Department of Research Programmes and Planning Department of Superintendent of de-magnetisation Department of the Admiral of the Training Service Department of the Chief Inspector of Naval Ordnance Department of the Chief of Naval Information Department of the Chief Scientist Department of the Civil Engineer-in-Chief Department of the Comptroller of Steam Machinery Department of the Comptroller of Victualling and Transport Services Department of the Controller of the Navy Department of the Controller-General of Merchant Shipbuilding Department of the Controller for Navy Pay Department of the Deputy Controller for Auxiliary Shipbuilding Department of the Deputy Controller for Dockyards and Shipbuilding Department of the Director Contract-Built Ships Department of the Director-General Aircraft Department of the Director-General of Manpower Department of the Director-General, Supply and Secretariat Branch Department of the Director of Aircraft Maintenance and Repair Department of the Director of Contract Labour Department of the Director of Dockyards Department of the Director of Electrical Engineering Department of the Director of Manning Department of the Director of Merchant Shipbuilding Department of the Director of Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs Department of the Director of Merchant Ship Repairs Department of the Director of Naval Construction Department of the Director of Naval Equipment Department of the Director of Naval Recruiting Department of the Director of Naval Weather Service Department of the Director of Personal Services Department of the Director of Physical Training and Sports Department of the Director of Torpedoes and Mining Department of the Director of Transports Department of the Director of Underwater Weapons Department of the Director of Underwater Weapons Materials Department of the Director of Unexploded Bombs Department of the Director of Warship Production Department of the Director of Welfare and Service Conditions Department of the Director of Wreck Dispersal Department of the Flag Officer Sea Training Department of the Engineer in Chief Department of the Paymaster Director-General Department of the Inspector of Anti-Aircraft Weapons Department of the Inspector of Dockyard Expense Accounts Department of the Inspector-General of Naval Hospitals and Fleets Department of the Medical Director-General of the Navy Department of the Physician of the Navy Department of the Physician General of the Navy Department of the Storekeeper-General of the Navy Department of the Surveyor of Buildings Department of the Surveyor of Dockyards Directorate-General, (Naval Manpower and Training) Directorate General Training Dockyards and Fleet Maintenance Department Dockyards Branch Dockyard Expense Accounts Department Dockyard Schools Electrical Engineering Department Engineer Branch Engineering Department Experimental Department Fire Control Group Greenwich Hospital Department Inspector of Telegraphs Inspector of Repairs Joint Warfare Establishment Medical Consultative Board Medical Examining Board Historical Section Hydrographic Department Marine Department Marine Pay Department Materials and Priority Department Medical Consultative Board Medical Department Medical Examining Board Movements Department Nautical Almanac Office Naval Artillery and Torpedo Department Naval Engineering College Naval Equipment Department Naval Historical Branch Naval Construction Department Naval Intelligence Department Naval Medical Service Naval Law Division Naval Manpower Department Naval Mobilisation Department Naval Ordnance Department Naval Ordnance Inspection Department Naval Ordnance Stores Department Naval Personnel Services and Officer Appointments Department Naval Publicity Department Naval Regional Offices Naval Reserve Department Naval Security Department Naval Stores Department Naval Training Department Naval Works Department Navy, Army and Air Force Institute Navy and Army Canteen Board Navy Works Department Navigation Department Observatory at the Cape of Good Hope Office of the Admiral Commanding Coast Guard and Reserves Office of the Admiral Commanding, Reserves Office of the Admiralty Chemist Office of the Adviser on the Naval Construction to the Board of Admiralty Office of the Assistant Controller Office of the Assistant Controller Research and Development Office of the Clerk of the Journals Office of the Chief Polaris Executive Office of the Deputy Controller of Navy Office of the Deputy Controller Production Office of Extra Naval Assistant to Second Sea Lord Office of the Inspector Gun Mountings Office of the Keeper of Records Office of the Senior Psychologist (Naval) Office of the Senior Psychologist of the Navy Office of the Translator of French and Spanish Languages Office of the Vice Controller Air Office of the Vice Controller of the Navy Organisation and Methods Department Packet Service Regional Organisation for Merchant Shipbuilding and Repairs Royal Corps of Naval Constructors Royal Flying Corps Royal Marine Police Royal Marines Office Office of the Chaplain of the Fleet Royal Naval Academy Royal Naval Aircraft Workshops Royal Naval Air Service Royal Naval Air Stations Royal Naval Armaments Depot Royal Naval Auxiliary Service Royal Naval Cordite Factories Royal Naval Propellant Factory Royal Naval College Royal Naval College and the School for Naval Architecture Royal Naval College, Dartmouth Royal Naval College, Greenwich Royal Naval College, Keyham Royal Naval College, Osborne Royal Naval Engineering College Royal Naval Film Corporation Royal Naval Hospital Royal Naval Medical Depot Royal Naval Minewatching Service Royal Naval Mine Depot Royal Naval Patrol Service Royal Naval Scientific Service Royal Naval Sick Quarters Royal Naval Torpedo Depot Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve Royal Naval War College Royal Naval War College, Portsmouth Royal Navy Dockyard Royal Navy Medical Service Royal Navy Shore Signal Service Royal Observatory, Greenwich Royal School of Naval Architecture Salvage Department School of Mathematics and Naval Construction Scientific Research and Experiment Department Sea Transport Branch Sea Transport Department Sea Transport Division Ship Department Ship Design Department Signal Department Signal School Sixpenny Office Statistics Department Steam Department Superintendent of De-magnetisation Torpedo Experimental Establishment Transport Department Undersurface Warfare Department Victualling Department Volunteer Boys and Cadet Corps Weapons Department Weapons Department (Naval) Women's Royal Naval Service Wireless Telegraphy Board
Direction/Command of the Fleet	Office of the Permanent Secretary to the Admiralty Office of the First Naval Lord Office of the First Sea Lord Admiralty Naval Staff
Naval formations after 1707	1st Fleet 2nd Fleet 3rd Fleet Commander-in-Chief, Africa Atlantic Fleet Commodore, Arabian Seas and Persian Gulf Australia Station Cape of Good Hope Station Cape and West Africa Station Battle Cruiser Fleet Battle Cruiser Force Caspian Flotilla Channel Fleet Channel Squadron Commander-in-Chief, Coast of Ireland Cork Station Coast of Scotland Commander-in-Chief, China Commander-in-Chief, Dover Flag Officer, East Africa East Indies Station East Indies and China Station Eastern Fleet Far East Fleet English Channel Grand Fleet Flag Officer Gibraltar Harwich Force Home Fleet Jamaica Station Leith Station Commander-in-Chief, Levant Levant and East Mediterranean Commander-in-Chief, Leeward Islands Mediterranean Fleet Medway Newfoundland Station New Zealand Division New Zealand Naval Forces Nore North America and West Indies Station Commander-in-Chief, North Sea Admiral Commanding, Orkneys and Shetlands Pacific Fleet Pacific Station Admiral of Patrols Commander-in-Chief, Plymouth Commander-in-Chief, Portsmouth Queenstown Station Royal East African Navy Royal Indian Navy Flag Officer Submarines Commander-in-Chief, Rosyth Reserve Fleet Scotland and Northern Ireland Commander-in-Chief, South Atlantic South East Coast of America Station Commander-in-Chief, Thames and Medway West Africa Squadron Flag Officer, West Africa Commander-in-Chief, Western Approaches
Naval formations before 1707	Lisbon Station West Indies Station Western Squadron Thames, Medway and Nore Commander-in-Chief, Thames Narrow Seas Downs Station
Direction of Naval Finance	Department of the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty
Departments under the Parliamentary and Financial Secretary	Department of the Civil Lord of the Admiralty Accountant-General's Department Comptroller of the Navy Department of the Surveyor of the Navy
Direction of Naval Administration and the Admiralty Secretariat	Department of the Permanent Secretary
Branches and offices under the Permanent Secretary	Admiralty Central Copying Branch Admiralty Central Registry Branch Admiralty Record Office Admiralty Library Admiralty Secretariat Air Branch Civil Branch Legal Branch Military Branch Naval Branch Ship Branch
Civil Administration	Department of the Civil Lord of the Admiralty, Department of the Additional Civil Lord of the Admiralty
Departments under the Civil Lords	Accountant-General's Department Contract and Purchase Department Department of the Director of Contract Labour Department of the Surveyor of Buildings Department of the Director of Works Greenwich Hospital Department Works Loan Department
Legal	Admiralty Judicial Department Admiralty court High Court of Admiralty Office of the Judge of the High Court of Admiralty High Court of Justice Office of the Judge Advocate of the Fleet Office of the Marshall High Court of the Admiralty Office of the Admiralty Advocate Office of the Admiralty Proctor Office of the Chief Naval Judge Advocate Office of the Counsel for the Affairs of the Admiralty and Navy Office of the Counsel to the Admiralty Office of the Deputy Judge Advocate of the Fleet Office of the Receiver of Droits High Court of Admiralty Office of the Registrar High Court of the Admiralty Office of the Solicitor for the Affairs of the Admiralty Office of the Solicitor to the Admiralty and Navy Office of the Solicitor to the Admiralty Office of the Counsel to the Admiralty Court of Admiralty for the Cinque Ports King's Bench Division (Admiralty) Queens's Bench Division (Admiralty) Probate, Divorce and Admiralty Division Vice Admiralty courts Colonial Courts of Admiralty

v t e Board of Admiralty
Ministerial Lords	Office of the First Lord of the Admiralty and President of the Board (1628–1964)
Naval Lords	Senior Naval Lord (1689–1771) First Naval Lord (1771–1904) First Sea Lord (1904–1917) First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff (1917–1964) Second Naval Lord (1830–1869, 1872–1904) Second Sea Lord (1904–1917) Second Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Personnel (1917–1964) Third Naval Lord (1832–1858) Controller of the Navy (1859–1869) Third Naval Lord and Controller (1869–1872) Controller of the Navy (1872–1882) Third Naval Lord and Controller of the Navy (1882–1904) Third Sea Lord and Controller of the Navy (1904–1912) Third Sea Lord (1912–1917) Controller of the Navy (1917–1918) Third Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Matériel (1918–1965) Junior Naval Lord (1868–1904) Fourth Sea Lord (1904–1917) Fourth Sea Lord and Chief of Supplies and Transport (1917–1955) Fifth Sea Lord (1917) Fifth Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Air Service (1917–1956)
Staff Naval Lords	Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff (1917–1964) Deputy First Sea Lord (1917–1919) Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (1917–1964) Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (1941–1964) Deputy First Sea Lord (1942–1946)
Civil Lords	Civil Lord of the Admiralty (1830–1964) Accountant-General of the Navy (1832–1869) Controller of Victualling (1832–1869) Director-General of the Medical Department (1832–1869) Storekeeper-General of the Navy (1832–1869) Surveyor of the Navy (1832–1869) Controller of the Navy (1859–1869) Additional Civil Lord of the Admiralty (1882–1885) Additional Civil Lord of the Admiralty (1912–1917) Second Civil Lord (1918–1919) Third Civil Lord (1918–1919) Fourth Civil Lord (1918–1919)
Civil Secretaries	Secretaries to the Lords Admiral, Admiralty, Committees and Commissions (1625–1660) First Secretary to the Admiralty (1660–1763) First Secretary to the Admiralty (1763–1871) Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty (1871–1886) Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (1886–1959) Joint-Deputy Secretary to the Admiralty (1702–1766) Second Secretary to the Admiralty (1783–1857) Permanent Secretary to the Admiralty (1869–1872) Naval Secretary to the Board of Admiralty (1872–1882) Permanent Secretary to the Admiralty (1882–1964)