Office For Veterans' Affairs Appoints New Director

The Office for Veterans’ Affairs (OVA) has appointed a new Director.

Currently a Deputy Director in the Government’s COVID Taskforce, Jessie Owen will take up the position in March and said she was "delighted" to be joining the OVA.

"There is still much to do to realise our ambitions for ex-servicemen and women," she said.

"I’m looking forward to working with colleagues across Whitehall and beyond, and to serving our veterans in the way they have served our nation."

Ms Owen has experience across Government, having previously worked on cross-Government priorities in national security policy and strategy.

This included oversight of the Security and Intelligence Agencies, the Cyber Security Programme and Counter-Terrorism strategy in the National Security Secretariat.

She succeeds Interim Director David Richmond, who has been appointed as the Government's independent Veterans Advisor.

Reporting directly to Michael Gove, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Mr Richmond will vice chair the Veterans Advisory Board and offer expert and constructive challenge to the Government, the OVA said.

"I am looking forward enormously to being able to support and challenge the Government as they work to realise their vision; much has already been achieved but more remains to be done," Mr Richmond said.

Both appointments will begin their new roles in March.

Cover image: Navy personnel at HMS Collingwood (Picture: Royal Navy).