General Sharon Nesmith becomes new Vice Chief of the Defence Staff

General Dame Sharon Nesmith has been named the next Vice Chief of the Defence Staff and Aide-de-Camp to the King in the rank of general.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps confirmed the King has approved the senior Army officer's new role.

Gen Nesmith succeeds Royal Marines General Gwyn Jenkins, who was recently announced as the latest National Security Advisor to the Prime Minister.

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Gen Nesmith said: "I am very honoured to have been selected for the role of Vice Chief of the Defence Staff, especially during a period of such significant global instability.

"I am very excited to start in my role, with an amazing team of civil servants, regular and reservist service personnel around me."

Gen Nesmith commissioned into the Royal Corps of Signals in 1992, and starts her new role next month.

The Defence Secretary said: "I am delighted to congratulate General Dame Sharon Nesmith on her deserved promotion and appointment as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff. 

"Sharon brings extensive leadership and operational experience and is very well suited to lead our Armed Forces as we modernise to meet the challenges of a more dangerous world.

"In her distinguished career to date, Sharon has led the Army as the Deputy Chief, deployed on operations around the world, supported our recruitment efforts and commanded in the Allied Rapid Reaction Corps. I look forward to continuing to work with her.

"I would also like to recognise General Gwyn's service as Vice Chief for the past two years as he takes up his new role as National Security Advisor – with leaders like Gwyn and Sharon, our country's security is in safe hands."

Gen Nesmith was also made a Dame by King Charles earlier this year.

Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin said: "I am very pleased to welcome General Sharon Nesmith as the next Vice Chief of the Defence Staff.

"An outstanding officer with an exemplary record of operational service combined with strategic leadership, Sharon brings a powerful mix of a moderniser and pragmatist. 

"Her comfort with delivering big capital programmes, increasing lethality and productivity, and embracing technology and looking after our people, are just some of the attributes she will bring and are necessary as we respond to the global security challenges."