Lt Gen Sir Rob Magowan: Meet the Royal Marine next in line to lead CSOC
Lieutenant General Sir Rob Magowan is to head up the newly established command structure that brings together all of the UK's cyber and specialist capabilities under one roof.
Lt Gen Sir Rob will succeed General Sir Jim Hockenhull as the Commander of Cyber and Specialist Operations Command (CSOC) next year.
The Royal Marines officer will oversee a broad range of capabilities, including cyber experts, deployments and operations through the Permanent Joint Headquarters, medical support, intelligence, educators and UK defence attachés.
An outstanding leader
Congratulating Lt Gen Sir Rob, Defence Secretary John Healey said his expertise and proven leadership would help drive forward the "transformation of our Armed Forces".
He also gave his thanks to the outgoing Commander of CSOC, who took up command in 2022.
"I am deeply grateful to General Jim [Hockenhull] for all he has contributed to defence during his long and distinguished career," said Mr Healey.
"The nation is stronger and our future more secure thanks to his vision and leadership, and I wish him all the best for the future."
The Chief of the Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, said Lt Gen Sir Rob would bring "deep expertise" to the role, adding that he looked forward to working with him.
Gen Sir Jim paid tribute to his incoming successor, saying: "I have known and worked with Rob for many years. He is one of the most professional, knowledgeable and dedicated officers I have ever served with.
"Possessing enormous experience, Rob also brings a humanity that makes him an outstanding leader."
Who is the new commander of CSOC?
Having studied chemistry at Southampton University, Lt Gen Sir Rob commissioned into the Royal Marines in 1989, holding several troop command roles early in his career, including a tour of Northern Ireland.
He later became Assistant to the Commander-in-Chief Fleet, serving as a senior strategic advisor and helping to implement key strategies for the Royal Navy. He subsequently completed the US Marine Corps Command and Staff Course, earning a master's degree.
On returning from the United States, Lt Gen Sir Rob was posted to HQ 3 UK Division as a plans officer, during which time he was deployed to Afghanistan on Operation Fingal – the first British military deployment under the International Security Assistance Force, which provided security and stability in Kabul after the fall of the Taliban.
Following promotion to Lt Col in 2002, he returned to 42 Commando, deploying to both Kuwait and Iraq for Operation Telic 1 – the initial phase of the UK's involvement in the Iraq War.
A London role – then Afghanistan
In 2003, he began a three-year stint in London, working in the Cabinet Office before assuming the Deputy Head position in the Afghan Drugs Inter-Departmental Unit while acting Colonel in 2005.
He assumed command of 30 Commando, Royal Marines in 2006, deploying immediately on Herrick 5, and was promoted to full Colonel upon taking up the Deputy Head post in Defence Intelligence in 2009.
After successfully completing the Higher Command and Staff Course in 2011, he was promoted to Brigadier and became the Chief of Staff to the National Contingent Commander in Kabul.
In 2013, he assumed the Commodore Naval Personnel Strategy role before becoming Commander Joint Forces Intelligence Group in 2015.
Promoted to Major General in 2016, he was appointed Commandant General Royal Marines, advising the First Sea Lord on all aspects of the corps and overseeing its deployments and modernisation. He reassumed this position in 2021.
In a distinguished career spanning more than 30 years, Lt Gen Sir Rob was appointed MBE in 2005, CBE in 2013 and CB in 2018. He was knighted (KCB) in the 2024 New Year Honours and was awarded the US Legion of Merit for his time as CGRM.
An immense privilege
Currently acting as Deputy Chief of Defence Staff, Lt Gen Sir Rob spoke of the "immense privilege" of being selected to lead CSOC.
"I feel the burden of responsibility as I prepare to take over from General Sir Jim Hockenhull," he said. "And so I should – never in my career have we faced such an acute threat. Our nation depends on us to meet this challenge.
"I will take my place alongside everyone in CSOC, across UK defence and beyond, in our collective endeavour as we serve to protect our nation."
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