Who is Dan Jarvis? Former paratrooper takes charge of UK defence after Healey quits

The appointment of former Parachute Regiment officer Dan Jarvis as Defence Secretary comes at one of the most turbulent moments for the Ministry of Defence in recent years following the shock resignations of John Healey and Armed Forces Minister Al Carns.

Mr Healey resigned yesterday, saying the much-delayed Defence Investment Plan does not provide enough funding to give the Armed Forces what they need.

Mr Carns followed him out of the door hours later, raising similar concerns about the pace and scale of defence spending.

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Like Ben Wallace, who served as defence secretary between 2019 and 2023, Mr Jarvis brings direct military experience to the role having served as a parachute officer.

His service included serving as a platoon commander with 1 Para, aide-de-camp to General Sir Mike Jackson and adjutant 3 Para.

On promotion to major, he worked as a staff planner in the Permanent Joint Headquarters and then at the Army’s Headquarters. He also served as a company commander in the Special Forces Support Group.

He deployed on operations in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan before leaving the Army to enter politics.

His military background has long made him a respected figure in defence circles.

After entering Parliament in 2011, he served in a variety of security-related roles, including on committees focused on national security, before becoming Security Minister in Sir Keir Starmer's government following Labour's election victory in 2024.

He was also awarded an MBE in 2011 for his service in the Army, making him the first serving MP to be decorated for military service for a number of years.

Mr Jarvis, as the new Defence Secretary, inherits a full in-tray.

Alongside delivering on last year's Strategic Defence Review and the much-anticipated and much-delayed Defence Investment Plan, he will be expected to reassure allies ahead of key Nato engagements, oversee continued support for Ukraine and address longstanding concerns about personnel, equipment and military readiness.

For many in the Armed Forces, the key question will be whether the former airborne officer can bridge the gap between the military's ambitions and the Treasury's willingness to fund them.