First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff
Ensign of the British Armed Forces
White Ensign of the Royal Navy
Incumbent Admiral Sir Ben Key since 8 November 2021
Ministry of Defence Royal Navy
Type	Naval officer
Status	Military branch chief
Abbreviation	1SL/CNS
Member of	Defence Council Admiralty Board Chiefs of Staff Committee
Reports to	Chief of the Defence Staff
Nominator	Secretary of State for Defence
Appointer	The Monarch On the advice of the Prime Minister, subject to formal approval by the King-in-Council
Term length	Not fixed typically 3–4 years
Formation	Senior Naval Lord (1689–1771) First Naval Lord (1771–1904) First Sea Lord (from 1904)
First holder	Admiral Arthur Herbert (as Senior Naval Lord) Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher (as First Sea Lord)
Deputy	Deputy First Sea Lord (1917-1919, 1942-1946) Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (1941–1946) Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff
Website	Official Website

The First Sea Lord, officially known as the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff (1SL/CNS) is a statutory position in the British Armed Forces, usually held by an admiral. As the highest-ranking officer to serve in the Royal Navy, the chief is the principal military advisor on matters pertaining to the navy and a deputy to the Secretary of State for Defence. In a separate capacity, the CNS is a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee and, thereby, a military advisor to the National Security Council, the prime minister and the monarch. The First Sea Lord is typically the highest-ranking officer on active duty of the Royal Navy unless the Chief of the Defence Staff is a naval officer. Admiral Ben Key was appointed First Sea Lord in November 2021.^[1]

Originally titled the "Senior Naval Lord to the Board of Admiralty" when the post was created in 1689,^[2] the office was re-styled First Naval Lord in 1771.^[3] The concept of a professional "First Naval Lord" was introduced in 1805,^[4] and the title of the office was changed to First Sea Lord on the appointment of Sir John "Jackie" Fisher in 1904. Since 1923, the First Sea Lord has been a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee; he now sits on the Defence Council and the Admiralty Board.^[5]

The First Sea Lord is the professional head of the Royal Navy and a member of the Defence Council. He is responsible to Secretary of State for the fighting effectiveness, efficiency and morale of the Naval Service. As a member of the Defence Council, the First Sea Lord supports the Secretary of State in the management and direction of the Armed Forces through prerogative and statutory powers. As a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, he advises CDS on maritime strategy and policy. He has a collective responsibility for providing strategic direction to the department, managing performance and ensuring that defence delivers the required outputs.^[6]

Lords Admiral were appointed from the 15th century; they were later styled Lords High Admiral until the 18th century, and Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty from the 17th century, as the governors of the English and later British Royal Navy. From 1683 to 1684, there were seven paid Commissioners, and one unpaid supernumerary Commissioner. The number varied between five and seven Commissioners through the 18th century. The standing of all the Commissioners was in theory the same, although the First Commissioner or First Lord exercised an ascendancy over his colleagues from an early date.^[7]

The generally recognized office of Senior Naval Lord to the Board of Admiralty was established on 8 March 1689,^[2] with the first incumbent being Admiral Arthur Herbert; he was also First Lord of the Admiralty. On 20 January 1690 Admiral Herbert was succeeded by Admiral Sir John Chicheley^[2] under First Lord of Admiralty Thomas Herbert, Earl of Pembroke.^[7]

On 22 May 1702 the Board of Admiralty ceased control of Naval Affairs and was replaced by the Lord Admiral's Council.^[2] The previous office of Senior Naval Lord was replaced by a Senior Member to the Lords Admiral Council; he was usually a serving naval officer of admiral rank and was the Chief Naval Adviser to the Lord Admiral. This lasted until 8 November 1709, when the Board of Admiralty resumed control of Naval Affairs and the post of Senior Naval Lord was resumed.^[7]

On 2 February 1771 the office of Senior Naval Lord was renamed to First Naval Lord.^[3] The first post holder was Vice-Admiral Augustus Hervey; he first served under First Lord of the Admiralty John Montagu, 4th Earl of Sandwich. In 1805, for the first time, specific functions were assigned to each of the 'Naval' Lords, who were described as 'Professional' Lords, leaving to the 'Civil' Lords the routine business of signing documents.^[7] On 2 May 1827^[8] the Board of Admiralty once again ceased control of Naval Affairs and was replaced, until 1828, by a Lord High Admirals Council.^[7]

The title of the First Naval Lord was changed to First Sea Lord on the appointment of Sir Jackie Fisher in 1904.^[9] In 1917 the First Sea Lord was re-styled First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff.^[10] From 1923 onward, the First Sea Lord was a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, and from 1923 to 1959, in rotation with the representatives of the other services (the Chief of the Imperial General Staff and Chief of the Air Staff), he served as the chairman of that committee and head of all British armed forces.^[a] The title was retained when the Board of Admiralty was abolished in 1964 and the Board's functions were integrated into the Ministry of Defence.^[12]

Under the current organisation, the First Sea Lord sits on the Defence Council,^[13] the Admiralty Board^[13] and the Navy Board.^[14]

Since 2012, the flagship of the First Sea Lord has nominally been the ship of the line HMS Victory, which used to be Lord Nelson's flagship.^[15]

The following table lists all those who have held the post of First Sea Lord or its preceding positions. Ranks and honours are as at the completion of their tenure:

No.	Portrait	Name	Took office	Left office	Time in office	Ref.
Senior Naval Lords
1		Herbert, ArthurAdmiral Arthur Herbert (c. 1648–1716)	8 March 1689	20 January 1690	318 days	[2]
2		Chicheley, JohnRear-Admiral Sir John Chicheley (c. 1640–1691)	20 January 1690	5 June 1690	136 days	[2]
3		Russell, EdwardAdmiral of the Fleet Edward Russell (1653–1727)	5 June 1690	23 January 1691	232 days	[2]
4		Priestman, HenryCaptain Henry Priestman (c. 1647–1712)	23 January 1691	2 May 1694	3 years, 99 days	[2]
(3)		Russell, EdwardAdmiral of the Fleet The Earl of Orford (1653–1727)	2 May 1694	31 May 1699	5 years, 29 days	[2]
5		Rooke, GeorgeAdmiral of the Fleet Sir George Rooke (1650–1709)	31 May 1699	26 January 1702	2 years, 240 days	[2]
6		Leake, JohnAdmiral of the Fleet Sir John Leake (1656–1720)	8 November 1709	4 October 1710	330 days	[16]
7		Byng, GeorgeAdmiral Sir George Byng (1663–1733)	4 October 1710	30 September 1712	1 year, 362 days	[16]
(6)		Leake, JohnAdmiral of the Fleet Sir John Leake (1656–1720)	30 September 1712	14 October 1714	2 years, 14 days	[16]
(7)		Byng, GeorgeAdmiral Sir George Byng (1663–1733)	14 October 1714	16 April 1717	2 years, 184 days	[16]
8		Aylmer, MatthewAdmiral of the Fleet Matthew Aylmer (c. 1650–1720)	16 April 1717	19 March 1718	337 days	[16]
(7)		Byng, GeorgeAdmiral of the Fleet Sir George Byng (1663–1733)	19 March 1718	30 September 1721	3 years, 195 days	[16]
9		Jennings, JohnAdmiral Sir John Jennings (1664–1743)	30 September 1721	1 June 1727	5 years, 244 days	[16]
10		Norris, JohnAdmiral Sir John Norris (c. 1670–1749)	1 June 1727	13 May 1730	2 years, 346 days	[16]
11		Wager, CharlesAdmiral Sir Charles Wager (1666–1743)	13 May 1730	23 June 1733	3 years, 41 days	[16]
12		Hamilton, ArchibaldCaptain Lord Archibald Hamilton (1673–1754)	23 June 1733	13 March 1738	4 years, 263 days	[16]
13		Powlett, HarryLord Harry Powlett (1691–1759)	13 March 1738	19 March 1742	4 years, 6 days	[16]
(12)		Hamilton, ArchibaldCaptain Lord Archibald Hamilton (1673–1754)	19 March 1742	25 March 1746	4 years, 6 days	[16]
14		Beauclerk, VereAdmiral Lord Vere Beauclerk (1699–1781)	25 March 1746	18 November 1749	3 years, 238 days	[16]
15		Anson, GeorgeAdmiral The Lord Anson (1697–1762)	18 November 1749	22 June 1751	1 year, 216 days	[16]
16		Rowley, WilliamAdmiral Sir William Rowley (c. 1690–1768)	22 June 1751	17 November 1756	5 years, 148 days	[16]
17		Boscawen, EdwardVice-Admiral The Honourable Edward Boscawen (1711–1761)	17 November 1756	6 April 1757	140 days	[16]
(16)		Rowley, WilliamAdmiral Sir William Rowley (c. 1690–1768)	6 April 1757	2 July 1757	87 days	[16]
(17)		Boscawen, EdwardAdmiral The Honourable Edward Boscawen (1711–1761)	2 July 1757	19 March 1761	3 years, 260 days	[16]
18		Forbes, JohnAdmiral The Honourable John Forbes (1714–1796)	19 March 1761	20 April 1763	2 years, 32 days	[16]
19		Howe, RichardCaptain The Lord Howe (1726–1799)	20 April 1763	31 July 1765	2 years, 102 days	[16]
20		Saunders, CharlesVice-Admiral Sir Charles Saunders (c. 1715–1775)	31 July 1765	15 September 1766	1 year, 46 days	[16]
21		Keppel, AugustusRear-Admiral The Honourable Augustus Keppel (1725–1786)	15 September 1766	11 December 1766	87 days	[16]
22		Brett, PeircyRear-Admiral Sir Peircy Brett (1709–1781)	11 December 1766	28 February 1770	3 years, 79 days	[16]
23		Holburne, FrancisAdmiral Francis Holburne (1704–1771)	28 February 1770	2 February 1771	339 days	[16]
First Naval Lords
24		Hervey, AugustusCaptain Augustus Hervey (1724–1779)	2 February 1771	12 April 1775	4 years, 69 days	[3]
25		Palliser, HughVice-Admiral Sir Hugh Palliser (1723–1796)	12 April 1775	23 September 1779	4 years, 164 days	[3]
26		Palliser, HughVice-Admiral Robert Man	23 September 1779	22 September 1780	365 days	[3]
27		Darby, GeorgeVice-Admiral George Darby (c. 1720–1790)	22 September 1780	1 April 1782	1 year, 191 days	[3]
28		Harland, RobertAdmiral Sir Robert Harland (c. 1715–1784)	1 April 1782	30 January 1783	304 days	[3]
29		Pigot, HughAdmiral Hugh Pigot (1722–1792)	30 January 1783	31 December 1783	335 days	[3]
30		Leveson-Gower, JohnRear-Admiral John Leveson-Gower (1740–1792)	31 December 1783	12 August 1789	5 years, 224 days	[3]
31		Hood, SamuelAdmiral The Lord Hood (1724–1816)	12 August 1789	7 March 1795	5 years, 207 days	[3]
32		Middleton, CharlesVice-Admiral Sir Charles Middleton (1726–1813)	7 March 1795	20 November 1795	258 days	[3]
33		Gambier, JamesVice-Admiral James Gambier (1756–1833)	20 November 1795	19 February 1801	5 years, 91 days	[3]
34		Troubridge, ThomasRear-Admiral Sir Thomas Troubridge (c. 1758–1807)	19 February 1801	15 May 1804	3 years, 86 days	[3]
(33)		Gambier JamesVice Admiral James Gambier (1756–1833)	15 May 1804	10 February 1806	1 year, 271 days	[3]
35		Markham, JohnRear Admiral John Markham (1761–1827)	10 February 1806	6 April 1807	1 year, 55 days	[3]
(33)		Gambier, JamesAdmiral James Gambier (1756–1833)	6 April 1807	9 May 1808	1 year, 33 days	[3]
36		Bickerton, RichardVice Admiral Sir Richard Bickerton (1759–1832)	9 May 1808	25 March 1812	3 years, 321 days	[3]
37		Domett, WilliamVice Admiral William Domett (1752–1828)	25 March 1812	23 October 1813	1 year, 212 days	[3]
38		Yorke, JosephVice Admiral Sir Joseph Yorke (1768–1831)	23 October 1813	24 May 1816	2 years, 214 days	[3]
39		Moore, GrahamVice Admiral Sir Graham Moore (1764–1843)	24 May 1816	13 March 1820	3 years, 294 days	[3]
40		Johnstone Hope, WilliamVice Admiral Sir William Johnstone Hope (1766–1831)	13 March 1820	2 May 1827	7 years, 50 days	[3]
41		Cockburn, GeorgeVice Admiral Sir George Cockburn (1772–1853)	19 September 1828	25 November 1830	2 years, 67 days	[7]
42		Hardy, ThomasRear Admiral Sir Thomas Hardy (1769–1839)	25 November 1830	1 August 1834	3 years, 249 days	[7]
43		Dundas, GeorgeRear Admiral The Hon. Sir George Dundas (1778–1834)	1 August 1834	1 November 1834	92 days	[7]
44		Adam, CharlesRear Admiral Sir Charles Adam (1780–1853)	1 November 1834	23 December 1834	52 days	[7]
(41)		Cockburn, GeorgeVice Admiral Sir George Cockburn (1772–1853)	23 December 1834	25 April 1835	123 days	[7]
(44)		Adam, CharlesVice Admiral Sir Charles Adam (1780–1853)	25 April 1835	8 September 1841	6 years, 197 days	[7]
(41)		Cockburn, GeorgeAdmiral Sir George Cockburn (1772–1853)	8 September 1841	13 July 1846	4 years, 308 days	[7]
45		Parker, WilliamVice Admiral Sir William Parker (1781–1866)	13 July 1846	24 July 1846	11 days	[7]
(44)		Adam, CharlesVice Admiral Sir Charles Adam (1780–1853)	24 July 1846	20 July 1847	361 days	[7]
46		Dundas, JamesRear Admiral Sir James Dundas (1785–1862)	20 July 1847	13 February 1852	4 years, 208 days	[7]
47		Berkeley, MauriceRear Admiral The Hon. Maurice Fitzhardinge Berkeley (1788–1867)	13 February 1852	2 March 1852	18 days	[7]
48		Parker, HydeVice Admiral Hyde Parker (1784–1854)	2 March 1852	26 May 1854	2 years, 85 days	[7]
(47)		Berkeley, MauriceVice Admiral The Hon. Maurice Fitzhardinge Berkeley (1788–1867)	26 May 1854	24 November 1857	2 years, 182 days	[7]
48		Dundas, RichardVice Admiral The Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas (1802–1861)	24 November 1857	8 March 1858	104 days	[7]
49		Martin, WilliamVice Admiral Sir William Martin (1801–1895)	8 March 1858	28 June 1859	1 year, 112 days	[7]
(48)		Dundas, RichardVice Admiral The Hon. Sir Richard Saunders Dundas (1802–1861)	28 June 1859	15 June 1861	1 year, 352 days	[7]
50		Grey, FrederickAdmiral The Hon. Sir Frederick Grey (1805–1878)	15 June 1861	13 July 1866	5 years, 28 days	[7]
51		Milne, AlexanderVice Admiral Sir Alexander Milne (1806–1896)	13 July 1866	18 December 1868	2 years, 158 days	[7]
52		Dacres, SydneyAdmiral Sir Sydney Dacres (1804–1884)	18 December 1868	27 November 1872	3 years, 345 days	[7]
(51)		Milne, AlexanderAdmiral Sir Alexander Milne (1806–1896)	27 November 1872	7 September 1876	3 years, 285 days	[17]
53		Yelverton, HastingsAdmiral Sir Hastings Yelverton (1808–1878)	7 September 1876	5 November 1877	1 year, 59 days	[17]
54		Wellesley, GeorgeAdmiral Sir George Wellesley (1814–1901)	5 November 1877	12 August 1879	1 year, 280 days	[17]
55		Key, AstleyAdmiral Sir Astley Cooper Key (1821–1888)	12 August 1879	1 July 1885	5 years, 323 days	[17]
56		Hood, ArthurAdmiral Sir Arthur Hood (1824–1901)	1 July 1885	15 February 1886	229 days	[17]
57		Hay, JohnAdmiral Lord John Hay (1827–1916)	15 February 1886	9 August 1886	175 days	[17]
(56)		Hood, ArthurAdmiral Sir Arthur Hood (1824–1901)	9 August 1886	24 October 1889	3 years, 76 days	[17]
58		Hamilton, RichardAdmiral Sir Richard Hamilton (1829–1912)	24 October 1889	28 September 1891	1 year, 339 days	[17]
59		Hoskins, AnthonyAdmiral Sir Anthony Hoskins (1828–1901)	28 September 1891	1 November 1893	2 years, 34 days	[17]
60		Richards, FrederickAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick Richards (1833–1912)	1 November 1893	19 August 1899	5 years, 291 days	[17]
61		Kerr, WalterAdmiral of the Fleet Lord Walter Kerr (1839–1927)	19 August 1899	21 October 1904	5 years, 63 days	[18]
First Sea Lords
62		Fisher, JohnAdmiral of the Fleet Sir John Fisher (1841–1920)	21 October 1904	25 January 1910	5 years, 96 days	[19]
63		Wilson, ArthurAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Arthur Wilson (1842–1921)	25 January 1910	5 December 1911	1 year, 314 days	[20]
64		Bridgeman, FrancisAdmiral Sir Francis Bridgeman (1848–1929)	5 December 1911	9 December 1912	1 year, 4 days	[21]
65		Mountbatten, LouisAdmiral Prince Louis of Battenberg (1854–1921)	9 December 1912	30 October 1914	1 year, 325 days	[22]
(62)		Fisher, JohnAdmiral of the Fleet The Lord Fisher (1841–1920)	30 October 1914	15 May 1915	197 days	[23]
66		Jackson, HenryAdmiral Sir Henry Jackson (1855–1929)	15 May 1915	30 November 1916	1 year, 199 days	[24]
67		Jellicoe, JohnAdmiral of the Fleet Sir John Jellicoe (1859–1935)	30 November 1916	10 January 1918	1 year, 41 days	[25]
68		Wemyss, RosslynAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Rosslyn Wemyss (1864–1933)	10 January 1918	1 November 1919	1 year, 295 days	[26]
69		Beatty, DavidAdmiral of the Fleet The Earl Beatty (1871–1936)	1 November 1919	30 July 1927	7 years, 271 days	[27]
70		Madden, CharlesAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Charles Madden (1862–1935)	30 July 1927	30 July 1930	3 years, 0 days	[28]
71		Field, FrederickAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Frederick Field (1871–1945)	30 July 1930	21 January 1933	2 years, 175 days	[29]
72		Chatfield, ErnleAdmiral of the Fleet The Lord Chatfield (1873–1967)	21 January 1933	7 September 1938	5 years, 229 days	[30]
73		Backhouse, RogerAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Roger Backhouse (1878–1939)	7 September 1938	12 June 1939	278 days	[31]
74		Pound, DudleyAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Dudley Pound (1877–1943)	12 June 1939	15 October 1943	4 years, 125 days	[32]
75		Cunningham, AndrewAdmiral of the Fleet The Viscount Cunningham of Hyndhope (1883–1963)	15 October 1943	24 May 1946	2 years, 221 days	[33]
76		Cunningham, JohnAdmiral of the Fleet Sir John Cunningham (1885–1962)	24 May 1946	29 September 1948	2 years, 128 days	[34]
77		Fraser, BruceAdmiral of the Fleet The Lord Fraser of North Cape (1888–1981)	29 September 1948	20 December 1951	3 years, 82 days	[35]
78		McGrigor, RhoderickAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Rhoderick McGrigor (1893–1959)	20 December 1951	18 April 1955	3 years, 119 days	[36]
79		Mountbatten, LouisAdmiral of the Fleet The Earl Mountbatten of Burma (1900–1979) [b]	18 April 1955	19 October 1959	4 years, 184 days	[37]
80		Lambe, CharlesAdmiral Sir Charles Lambe (1900–1960)	19 October 1959	23 May 1960	217 days	[38]
81		John, CasparAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Caspar John (1903–1984)	23 May 1960	7 August 1963	3 years, 76 days	[39]
82		Luce, DavidAdmiral Sir David Luce (1906–1971)	7 August 1963	15 March 1966	2 years, 220 days	[40]
83		Begg, VarylAdmiral Sir Varyl Begg (1908–1995)	15 March 1966	12 August 1968	2 years, 150 days	[41]
84		Fanu, MichaelAdmiral Sir Michael Le Fanu (1913–1970)	12 August 1968	3 July 1970	1 year, 325 days	[42]
85		Hill, PeterAdmiral Sir Peter Hill-Norton (1915–2004) [b]	3 July 1970	9 April 1971	280 days	[43]
86		Pollock, MichaelAdmiral Sir Michael Pollock (1916–2006)	9 April 1971	1 March 1974	2 years, 326 days	[44]
87		Ashmore, EdwardAdmiral Sir Edward Ashmore (1919–2016)	1 March 1974	9 February 1977	2 years, 345 days	[45]
88		Lewin, TerenceAdmiral of the Fleet Sir Terence Lewin (1920–1999) [b]	1 March 1977	6 July 1979	2 years, 127 days	[46]
89		Leach, HenryAdmiral Sir Henry Leach (1923–2011)	6 July 1979	1 December 1982	3 years, 148 days	[47]
90		Fieldhouse, JohnAdmiral Sir John Fieldhouse (1928–1992) [b]	1 December 1982	2 August 1985	2 years, 244 days	[48]
91		Staveley, WilliamAdmiral Sir William Staveley (1928–1997)	2 August 1985	25 May 1989	3 years, 296 days	[49]
92		Oswald, JulianAdmiral Sir Julian Oswald (1933–2011)	25 May 1989	2 March 1993	3 years, 281 days	[50]
93		Bathurst, BenjaminAdmiral Sir Benjamin Bathurst (born 1936)	2 March 1993	10 July 1995	2 years, 130 days	[51]
94		Slater, JockAdmiral Sir Jock Slater (born 1938)	10 July 1995	8 October 1998	3 years, 90 days	[52]
95		Boyce, MichaelAdmiral Sir Michael Boyce (1943–2022) [b]	8 October 1998	16 January 2001	2 years, 100 days	[52]
96		Essenhigh, NigelAdmiral Sir Nigel Essenhigh (born 1944)	16 January 2001	17 September 2002	1 year, 244 days	[53]
97		West, AlanAdmiral Sir Alan West (born 1948)	17 September 2002	6 February 2006	3 years, 142 days	[52]
98		Band, JonathonAdmiral Sir Jonathon Band (born 1950)	6 February 2006	21 July 2009	3 years, 165 days	[52]
99		Stanhope, MarkAdmiral Sir Mark Stanhope (born 1952)	21 July 2009	9 April 2013	3 years, 262 days	[52]
100		Zambellas, GeorgeAdmiral Sir George Zambellas (born 1958)	9 April 2013	8 April 2016	2 years, 365 days	[54]
101		Jones, PhilipAdmiral Sir Philip Jones (born 1960)	8 April 2016	19 June 2019	3 years, 72 days	[55]
102		Radakin, TonyAdmiral Sir Tony Radakin (born 1965) [b]	19 June 2019	8 November 2021	2 years, 142 days	[56]
103		Key, BenAdmiral Sir Ben Key (born 1965)	8 November 2021	Incumbent	3 years, 17 days	[1][57]

In John Buchan's novel The Thirty-Nine Steps (1915), the First Sea Lord is named as Lord Alloa, an impostor whom Richard Hannay recognizes at a meeting as a spy and recent pursuer of his. Hannay describes Lord Alloa as recognizable from news pictures for his "beard cut like a spade, the firm fighting mouth, the blunt square nose, and the keen blue eyes...the man, they say, that made the New British Navy".^[58] The real First Sea Lord at the time the story is set (early summer 1914) was Prince Louis of Battenberg, coincidentally also bearded.^[59]

• Chief of the Defence Staff (United Kingdom)
• Second Sea Lord
• Third Sea Lord
• Fourth Sea Lord
• Fifth Sea Lord
• Chief of the Air Staff – the Royal Air Force equivalent
• Chief of the General Staff – the British Army equivalent