British general to become first UK commander of key Nato post as alliance shifts towards Europe
A British general will take over one of Nato's key operational commands as Europeans assume more senior leadership roles within the alliance.
Lieutenant General Nick Perry will become Commander of Joint Force Command (JFC) Norfolk in September 2026, taking up the role on promotion to General.
He will be the first British officer to command the US-based headquarters, which is responsible for Nato operations across the Atlantic, the UK, the High North and northern Europe.
JFC Norfolk is based in Virginia and was established in 2019. The command is currently led by US Navy Vice Admiral Doug Perry.
It is one of Nato's most strategically important commands, responsible for the Atlantic sea routes linking North America and Europe, as well as security in the High North and Arctic.
The appointment comes as European allies take charge of all three of Nato's Joint Force Commands, with Italy taking JFC Naples and Germany and Poland sharing command of JFC Brunssum.
The US will still hold several senior posts, including Supreme Allied Commander Europe, one of Nato's top operational commanders, who Lt Gen Perry will report to directly.
The announcement came as Sir Keir Starmer arrived in Ankara for a Nato summit expected to focus on defence spending, Ukraine and Europe's role in the alliance under pressure from President Donald Trump over defence spending.
"Lieutenant General Nick Perry represents the very best of the British military and I am in no doubt that he will be a superb Commander of JFC Norfolk," Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said.
"As Europe steps up to build a more European Nato, I am proud that British excellence and expertise will be at the heart of its command structure, keeping the UK and the Nato alliance safe in the years ahead," he continued.
Lt Gen Perry is currently Chief of Joint Operations, the senior officer responsible for planning and controlling UK overseas military operations from Permanent Joint Headquarters at Northwood.
He took up the role in November 2024 after serving as Assistant Chief of the General Staff.
His 35-year military career has included operational experience in Bosnia and Kosovo in the 90s, as well as Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11.
He has also served as Military Assistant to Prime Ministers David Cameron and Theresa May, commander of 16 Air Assault Brigade, and commander of UK specialist military units.
Lt Gen Perry said it was a "tremendous honour" to be selected for the Nato role.
"At a time of increasing strategic competition, it is a huge privilege to take command of a warfighting headquarters at the heart of Nato's collective defence of the Euro-Atlantic," he said.
"I am particularly proud to become the first British officer to command JFC Norfolk, reflecting the United Kingdom's enduring commitment to Nato,"
General Alexus G Grynkewich, Nato's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said the handover from an American to a British officer was one example of European allies taking on greater leadership within Nato.
He said Lt Gen Perry's experience as Chief of Joint Operations would help him in the new role, particularly as JFC Norfolk is asked to do more to "secure the Arctic and the strategic approaches between North America and Europe".
Defence Secretary Dan Jarvis said Lt Gen Perry's appointment reflected his "leadership skills and exceptional commitment to public service".
He added: "His command will strengthen Nato's defence and deterrence at this dangerous time, demonstrating the UK's leading contribution to building a stronger, more capable alliance."
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