The military has a reputation for running a tight ship, so it should come as no surprise to find that the structure of the military and other branches of defence is clearly delineated. All of the branches, plus additional departments and governance agencies are neatly covered by the overarching Public Defence Sector, which we’re going to look at below.
Bear in mind that the Prime Minister (Parliament) is the apex of all public sectors. All major legislations and regulations must be approved by parliament before they can be put into effect.
We’re going to start with other top-level positions in the UK defence sector.
Secretary of State for Defence
The Secretary of State for Defence (or Secretary) is responsible for running the entire Defence Department, from strategic operations to operational strategy.
The Secretary is a member of the National Security Council. The role includes defence planning, programme and resource allocation, and strategic international partnerships with:
- The US
- France
- Germany
- Saudi Arabia
- The Gulf
- NATO
The role in the NSC also includes nuclear operations, policy and organisations, and strategic communications.
Minister of State for the Armed Forces
The Minister of State for the Armed Forces reports directly to the Secretary. The role includes, among other things:
- Operations and operational legal policy
- Military recruitment and retention policy (regulars and reserves)
- Cyber defence
- Permanent Joint Operating Bases
- International Defence Engagement Strategy
- Lead for defence in engagement in Africa and Latin America
- Human security
- Inquests
- Commemorations (ceremonial duties and medallic recognition and protocol policy and casework)
Minister of State for Defence Procurement
The Minister also reports directly to the Secretary of State and is responsible for the Delivery of the Equipment Plan, nuclear enterprise, environment and sustainability, defence exports, innovation, defence science and technology, including the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl).
Single Source Regulations Office (SSRO) – an executive non-departmental public body.
DIO (Defence Infrastructure and Organisation), which is responsible for managing the Ministry of Defence’s (MOD’s) estate to reduce running costs and create investment opportunities locally and internationally.
Minister of State for Defence
The Minister of State for Defence reports directly to the Secretary. The list of responsibilities is long, starting with general corporate governance like the transformation programme. Other responsibilities include (but aren’t limited to):
- Single-department plan, including risk reporting, health, safety, and security
- EU relations
- Arms control and counter-proliferation, including strategic export licensing, and chemical and biological weapons
- UK Hydrographic Office – measuring the physical features of bodies of water and surrounding land.
- Defence engagement with Australia, Asia, and the Far East.
- Defence Fire and Rescue
- Ministry of Defence Police
Parliamentary Under-Secretary for State for Defence People and Families
The Under-Secretary is responsible for most things personnel-based, including
- Civilian and service personnel
- Policy, pay, pensions, and compensation
- Welfare and service families
- Community engagement
- Equality, diversity, and inclusion
- Defence Medical Services
- Flexible Engagement Strategy
- Future Accommodation Model
Senior Military Officials
From top-level officials, we shift to Senior Military Officials.
Chief of the Defence Staff
The CDS is the most senior uniformed military advisor to the Secretary and Prime Minister.
Vice Chief of the Defence Staff
The VCDS is responsible for the day-to-day running of the armed services and works with the Permanent Secretary.
First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff
Heads the Royal Navy
Chief of the General Staff
Heads the British Army
Chief of the Air Staff
Heads the Royal Air Force
Commander Strategic Command
Heads Strategic Command
Altogether they form the Chiefs of Staff Committee, which plays an advisory role in the operation, preparation, and conduct of military matters.
Chief of Defence People
Defence people, including veterans and service families.
Deputy Chief of Defence Staff
Military Strategy and Operations
Deputy Chief of Defence Staff
Financial and Military Capability
- Chief of Joint Operations
- Defence Senior Advisor Middle East
- Chief of Defence Intelligence
- Director-General of the Defence Safety Authority
Senior Management
The group of Senior Management staff are generally civil, scientific, and professional military advisors. These include:
Permanent Under-Secretary of State for Defence
Also known as the Permanent Secretary is the highest position held by a civil servant. It’s their responsibility to see that the Ministry of Defence functions effectively, which includes:
- Strategy
- Performance
- Reform
- Organisation
- Finances
The Permanent Secretary works with the Chief of Defence Staff to lead the MOD and supports Ministers in their activities.
Governance Bodies
The Public Defence Sector is governed by many groups, such as the Defence Council and Defence Board. Staff members can belong to many groups where they play different roles.
Defence Council
While most of the leg work is carried out by the Defence Board, the Council wields prerogative powers that enable it to give the Secretary the ability to administer and command the Armed Forces via the Service Boards:
- The Admiralty Board.
- The Army Board
- The Air Force Board
Service Boards are sub-committees of the Defence Council.
Defence Council Members include (but aren’t limited to):
- Secretary of State for Defence (who chairs the council)
- Minister of State for Defence Procurement
- Minister for the Armed Forces
- Minister of Defence People, Veterans, and Service Families
- Permanent Secretary
- Chief of the Defence Staff
- Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
- Second Permanent Secretary
- First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff
- Chief of the Air Staff
Defence Board
The Defence Board is the highest committee in the MOD. It governs top-level strategic leadership, which primarily includes strategy and planning for generating military forces, financial planning, and planning and risk performance.
To meet core objectives, the Board must
- Define and articulate strategic direction
- Provide a clear vision and set of values
- Establish the primary defence priorities
- Establish defence capabilities to carry out the strategy
- Ensure sufficient resources are allocated to priorities
- Manage corporate performance and resources to achieve success
Defence Board members include (but aren’t limited to):
- Secretary of State for Defence
- Minister of State for Defence Procurement
- Minister of State Baroness
- Minister for Defence People, Veterans, and Service Families
- Chief of Defence Staff
- Vice-Chief of Defence Staff
- Permanent Secretary
- Second Permanent Secretary
- Director General Finance
- Lead Non-Executive Board Member
- 3 x Non-Executive Directors
Defence Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
The DARAC is a sub-committee of the Defence Board. It provides the Board and Permanent Secretary with feedback and assurance regarding the integrity of financial reporting and the effectiveness of risk management. Its other responsibilities include:
- Ensures that financial reporting, systems, risk, policies, and internal controls and processes are functioning optimally.
- Independently assessing and challenging issues raised by assurance providers – Defence Internal Audit (DIA), National Audit Office (NAO), and Top Level Budget (TLB) audit committees.
- Effectiveness of the management’s response to issues raised by the DIA and NAO
- Evaluating accounting policies and providing the Department with an annual report
- Effectiveness of anti-fraud policies, whistle-blowing processes, and arrangements for special investigations.
The committee consists of six Non-Executive Directors.
People Committee
Like DARAC, it’s a sub-committee of the Board. It provides advice as and when necessary, makes critical decisions on strategic People matters, including training, and ensures the Chief of Defence People (CDP) remains accountable for delivering the People Portfolio.
Reporting is via the Executive Committee (ExCo) to ensure clarity and unity on cross-cutting matters.
Members of the People Committee include (but aren’t limited to):
- Non-Executive Director (Chair)
- Permanent Secretary
- Chief of the Defence Staff
- Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
- Chief of Defence People
- Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (financial and military capability)
- Director General Finance
Investment Approvals Committee
The IAC is the senior body in the MOD which makes decisions on major investment proposals. It also sets, enforces, and provides guidance for investment and disinvestment decisions. Challenges are addressed monthly at in-committee meetings. It also reports to the Board via the ExCo.
Committee members include:
- Permanent Secretary (Chair – major decisions only)
- Director General Finance (Interim Chair)
- Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
- Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (financial and military capability)
- Chief Scientific Advisor
- Director General Commercial
Executive Committee
The ExCo is the main executive board for the MOD, responsible for top-level leadership, decision-making, driving the annual Defence Plan, as well as identifying and responding to risks and issues.
Committee members include (but aren’t limited to):
- Permanent Secretary (Chair)
- Chief of the Defence Staff
- Second Permanent Secretary
- Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff
- Director General Finance
- Director General Delivery and Strategy
Additional governance bodies include:
- Defence Delivery Group
- Chiefs of Staff Committee
- Strategy Development Group
- Digital Information Steering Committee
- Defence Safety and Environment Committee
- Defence Nuclear Board
- Head Office Management Board
- Finance Committee
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