Black Country man first Brit in 25 years to land NATO top job

The Ministry of Defence confirmed Air Chief Marshall Sir Stuart Peach, who is the UK Chief of Defence Staff, will take over as NATO Chairman of the Military Committee in June.

Sir Stuart, from Walsall, will become the principal military advisor to the Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg.

The father-of-two said: “It is a huge honour to have been chosen to be the next Chairman of the Military Committee, one of the most important positions in NATO, central to European security.

“I am excited to take on this next challenge at such an important time for NATO, at a time when the alliance must modernise to face new and ever-adapting threats.

“Having spent the last year as head of the UK’s Armed Forces, I know I am ready to take on this challenge.”

Sir Stuart joined the RAF in 1977 and his career has included commanding the UK’s intervention in Libya in 2011 and becoming the first Commander of UK Joint Forces in December of that year. He became UK Chief of Defence Staff in July 2016.

Prime Minister Theresa May said: “That Air Chief Marshal Peach has been elected to this position by his fellow Chiefs of Defence across NATO underlines the esteem in which he is held by his peers.

“No-one understands better the challenges that NATO faces and I am sure that he will serve the Alliance with the same professionalism and rigour with which he has furthered Britain’s interests throughout his distinguished career.”

Walsall North MP Eddie Hughes also congratulated Sir Stuart describing the post as ‘very important’.

While Defence Secretary Michael Fallon said Sir Stuart was ‘deservedly appointed’, adding: “

Sir Stuart has been an exceptional Chief of Defence Staff, unwavering in his dedication and commitment to the UK’s Armed Forces.

“This appointment underlines our leadership role in NATO and I know Sir Stuart will relish these new challenges.”