Advertisement

Vice Admiral who led Kabul evacuation named new head of the Royal Navy

Sir Ben Key described his promotion to First Sea Lord as an ‘honour and privilege’ - WPA Pool/Getty Images
Sir Ben Key described his promotion to First Sea Lord as an ‘honour and privilege’ - WPA Pool/Getty Images

The Vice Admiral who led the evacuation of 15,000 people from Kabul has been appointed the new head of the Royal Navy.

On Friday, the Government announced that Sir Ben Key would become the First Sea Lord, succeeding Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who was promoted to Chief of the Defence Staff last week.

As Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Adml Key was said to have impressed many with his role in the Operation Pitting rescue mission, which Navy sources described as a “recent highlight” in his esteemed career.

They added that the non-combatant evacuation, which was carried out against a backdrop of a rapid Taliban offensive in Afghanistan, was executed “in pretty extraordinary circumstances and that would be largely recognised”.

Ben Wallace, the Defence Secretary, said Vice Adml Key, who will be promoted to Admiral, was “an exceptional military officer”.

“As the current Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Sir Ben was one of the key architects of the incredible Op Pitting rescue mission, which weeks ago saw the successful evacuation of over 15,000 British nationals and Afghans from Kabul,” he added.

Under Operation Pitting, British soldiers helped evacuate British nationals and other entitled persons - Leading Hand Ben Shread/MOD via AP
Under Operation Pitting, British soldiers helped evacuate British nationals and other entitled persons - Leading Hand Ben Shread/MOD via AP

Mr Wallace added that each day threats at home and abroad “multiply” and that the Armed Forces will continue to modernise to counter such threats directly.

“Under Vice Admiral Key’s leadership, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines are in excellent hands,” he said.

Admiral Radakin also said that in his new role, Vice Adml Key would continue “the modernisation of the Royal Navy to help ensure we can meet future threats and deliver for the nation”.

“We live in a period of enormous change and I am delighted to be working with Sir Ben in my new role as Chief of the Defence Staff to ensure the Royal Navy and the rest of defence are a global force delivering for Global Britain,” he added.

Vice Adml Key described the promotion as an “honour and privilege”, adding: “I am excited at the prospect of leading the exceptional sailors and marines of the Royal Navy through the exciting challenges we have ahead.”

Vice Adml Key pledged to build on the “transformation work” of the Navy that was undergone by his predecessor and would endeavour to continue the “ambitious modernisation” set out in last year’s integrated review of defence.

He said: “I have seen close up, as the Chief of Joint Operations, the impact our increasingly globally deployed Navy has had. I am determined we continue to deliver on these opportunities, working with allies and partners around the world in support of the Government objectives.”

Vice Adml Key, who has also held the position of Fleet Commander, joined the Navy in 1984 as a university cadet, where he graduated with a degree in physics from Royal Holloway, University of London.

He qualified as both helicopter aircrew and as a Principal Warfare Officer, and has seen service around the world in a variety of frigates and destroyers.

Vice Admiral Key with Boris Johnson, during the Prime Minister visit to the Army’s Northwood Headquarters, London, in August - Adrian Dennis/Pool via Reuters
Vice Admiral Key with Boris Johnson, during the Prime Minister visit to the Army’s Northwood Headquarters, London, in August - Adrian Dennis/Pool via Reuters

Throughout his career, he has commanded four ships, including the mine hunter HMS Sandown, the frigates HMS Iron Duke and HMS Lancaster, and the aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious.

Defence sources added that while the recent Operation Pitting raised Vice Adml Key’s profile, in his two-and-a-half years as Chief of Joint Operations he had worked through “many crises and enduring operations around the world”.

They said: “What he’s done during that time is understand in much more detail how defence needs to adapt and change, and better integrate to meet the threats in the future. He’s certainly got a much clearer idea now of how the Navy can better contribute to defence’s challenges, so I think that that would have been very compelling to the Defence Secretary.”

Vice Adml Key, who lives with his wife Elly and three children in Dorset, is a Freeman of the City of London and a Younger Brother of Trinity House. He is also the president of Royal Navy Rugby Union, UK Armed Forces Rugby and UK Armed Forces Golf.