EOD expert appointed by UK as new military representative to Nato and the EU
A new UK military representative to Nato and the European Union has been appointed, replacing Lieutenant General Sir Ian Cave.
Lieutenant General Eldon Millar, who starts in the role on 20 January, began his career in the Royal Engineers and has served across defence, specialising in Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD).
His predecessor, Lt Gen Sir Ian, is retiring after almost 40 years in the British Army.
'Privilege to represent UK'
The brand-new military representative to Nato and the EU has been deployed to several Nato operations from the Balkans to the Middle East, as well as to joint assignments in the Ministry of Defence.
The appointment comes as the alliance and the international organisation, based in Brussels, deal with a combination of challenges across the world, including US president Donald Trump's attempts to gain control of Greenland, the nearly four-year-long war in Ukraine, and a post-Maduro Venezuela after Washington's military action at the beginning of this year.
"It is my privilege to represent the UK at the epicentre of Euro-Atlantic security," Lt Gen Millar said.
"Nato is working relentlessly to guard the security of our one billion citizens and to support Ukraine in the face of Russia's illegal invasion.
"I look forward to working with our allies to strengthen our alliance and support Ukraine’s fight for freedom."
Previous involvement with Nato and global operations
He was previously Deputy Commander of Nato's Rapid Deployable Corps – Italy and the Nato Allied Reaction Force, and played a vital leadership role in Nato's Force Structure and the Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR), the alliance's top commander, operational command.
Lt Gen Millar, who was born in Glasgow, grew up and went to school in South Asia and the Scottish Highlands, before he graduated with an MA in International Relations.
The Scot organised the UK's Joint Force EOD in Afghanistan. He created the Coalition's Counter-Improvised Explosive Device efforts to aid in the battle to defeat ISIS in Iraq and Syria.
He has a big week ahead of him with several key Nato meetings taking place, including Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte meeting the Danish defence minister and Greenland's foreign affairs and research minister, a meeting of Nato defence chiefs on Wednesday and Thursday, and an upcoming meeting of the EU to speak about Greenland.
Reaction to the news
Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton congratulated and praised Lt Gen Millar on his appointment by saying that "his unwavering leadership has been central to Nato's very high readiness capabilities".
"I would like to thank Lieutenant General Sir Ian Cave for his remarkable service and wise counsel during this defining era in Nato's history, and I wish all the very best for the future," ACM Sir Rich added.
Lt Gen Sir Ian said it was an "honour" to have held the role and complimented Lt Gen Millar, adding that he "brings a wealth of experience to the role".
"Lieutenant General Millar's appointment as military representative is great news for UK leadership in Nato," Ambassador Angus Lapsley, UK Permanent Representative to Nato, said.
"I look forward to welcoming him to our joint delegation. I thank Lieutenant General Sir Ian Cave for his years of outstanding service."
Lt Gen Millar's background and interests
The newly promoted officer, who is married with two children, is a Scotland rugby fan and likes to experience the outdoors during his free time.
During his career in the UK military, he has accumulated several other titles, including Colonel Commandant of the Corps of Royal Engineers and Deputy Colonel of the Engineer and Logistics Staff Corps, a reserve unit composed of senior leaders from business and industry.
Beyond his support for Scotland, Lt Gen Millar is a director of British Army Sport, has a particular interest in mixed martial arts (MMA), and is president of Army Martial Arts.
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