Gwyn Jenkins, a former head of UK Special Forces, has been appointed as the new head of the Royal Navy, marking the first time a Royal Marine has held the prestigious post of First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff.
He replaces Admiral Sir Ben Key, who was removed from the role earlier this month amid an ongoing investigation into allegations of misconduct.
While the Ministry of Defence has not disclosed specific details, reports suggest Adm Key was under scrutiny over claims of an inappropriate relationship with a junior female officer.
He had been due to retire this summer after leading the Navy since 2021.
The appointment of Gen Jenkins was confirmed by Defence Secretary John Healey, who praised him as “a proven leader with a distinguished record across both the armed forces and the heart of government.”
Gen Jenkins said it was “an honour and an immense privilege” to lead the Royal Navy’s sailors and marines at what he called a “pivotal moment for UK defence.” His appointment is widely seen as a historic step, as he becomes the first Royal Marine ever to lead the Royal Navy.
Jenkins’ military career began in 1990 when he joined the Royal Marines. He went on to command the elite Special Boat Service (SBS), the Navy’s counterpart to the SAS, and was later awarded an OBE for his service in Afghanistan.
After returning from a 12-month deployment, he became military assistant to the Prime Minister and also served in the Cabinet Office. He rejoined the armed forces in 2017 as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, and has most recently acted as a strategic advisor to the Defence Secretary since August 2024.
His appointment, however, comes against the backdrop of controversy. A recent BBC Panorama report revealed that while in a senior Whitehall role, Gen Jenkins was involved in decisions that led to the rejection of hundreds of resettlement applications from Afghan commandos who fought alongside British special forces.
The timing of these rejections has sparked criticism, particularly as a judge-led public inquiry is underway into alleged war crimes by the SAS during operations in Afghanistan.
Many of the Afghan troops were involved in these missions and, if not granted entry into the UK, cannot be compelled to testify.
The Ministry of Defence maintains that there is no evidence of any attempt to obstruct witnesses from giving evidence to the inquiry.
Despite the controversy, Gen Jenkins’ appointment signals a major shift in the leadership of the Royal Navy, with expectations that he will bring fresh strategic direction during a period of mounting global defence challenges.
