New Chief of the Defence Staff appointed

Senior RAF officer Sir Stuart Peach has been appointed the as the next Chief of the Defence Staff, filling the position of the current chief Sir Nicholas Houghton.

Peach, who is currently the vice chief of the Defence Staff will take up the position this summer. Peach was selected over two other candidates, including army general Sir Richard Barrons and first sea lord Admiral George Zambellas.

Michael Fallon, Secretary of State for Defence, said: “I am delighted to announce that Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach will assume the role of Chief of the Defence Staff this summer when General Sir Nicholas Houghton retires.

“Sir Stuart has been an outstanding VCDS and I look forward to working closely with him in taking the fight to ISIL and ensuring we have the best Armed Forces to keep Britain safe.

Prime Minister David Cameron commented: “I want to thank General Sir Nick Houghton for his many years of dedicated service to this country - especially the years he has led our Armed Forces in an ever more unstable world. I am confident that Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach is the right man to continue General Sir Nick Houghton’s great legacy.

“For over a decade Sir Stuart has delivered exemplary leadership of the Armed Forces, with an extraordinary record of achievement. His experience as Commander Joint Forces and Chief of Joint Operations will be invaluable as we continue to ensure our brave armed forces remain among the most capable and agile in the world.”

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