Naval Secretary


The Naval Secretary is the Royal Navy officer who advises the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff on naval officer appointing. His counterpart in the British Army is the Military Secretary. The Royal Air Force equivalent is the Air Secretary. The Director People and Training has taken over the role, combining the responsibilities of Flag Officer Sea Training.

History

The Office of the Naval Secretary was originally established in 1800 when the appointment was styled Private Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty and remained so styled until 1911. In 1912 it was re-titled Naval Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty. The post-holder assisted the political head of the navy on senior appointments.
When the Admiralty department was abolished in 1964 the post was renamed Naval Secretary and he now advised the Royal Navy's military head. From 2010 to 2015 he simultaneously held additional titles of Naval Secretary, Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff and Chief Naval Logistics Officer. In 2015 the post holder assumed new additional responsibilities for the Royal Naval Reserve and another additional title of Flag Officer, Maritime Reserves.
In this capacity he is currently responsible for advising the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff on all matters relating to Flag and General Officers’ appointing. He is supported in the fulfillment of these duties by the Office of Assistant to the Naval Secretary who currently holds the rank of Commodore. A March 2020 edition of Navy News noted that the Director People and Training took over the people-related policies and career management from the Naval Secretary.

Secretaries

Post holders included:

Private Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty

Post holders included
Post holders included