General Sir Gordon Messenger, KCB DSO* OBE DL

General Messenger retired as the UK’s Vice Chief of Defence Staff in 2019, after over 36 years’ service in the Royal Marines. His career was notable for becoming the first Royal Marine to be promoted to 4* rank for over 50 years, and the first member of the naval service to be awarded a Bar to the Distinguished Service Order since the Korean War. As Vice Chief of Defence Staff from 2016-2019, he was the second most senior military officer in the UK, responsible for the day-to-day management of the Armed Forces.

Since retiring, he has managed a portfolio career. He is a Board member of QinetiQ plc, on the Advisory Board of the Leadership College of Government and the UK Health Security Agency. In November 2021 he was commissioned to conduct a review of leadership and management in Health and Social Care which was published in June 2022.

He was appointed Rear Admiral of the UK by the Sovereign in December 2021. In April 2022 it was announced that Gordon Messenger had been appointed as the 161st Constable of the Tower of London, the first Royal Marine to hold the post.

The King appointed him as Lord High Steward of England for their Majesties’ Coronation on 6 May 2023, which included responsibility for carrying St Edward’s Crown. He is a Trustee of Historic Royal Palaces and became a director of the King’s Foundation in April 2024.

General Sir Gordon Messenger became a Trustee for the Royal Armouries in August 2022