Our governance
Defence Council
The Defence Council is a formal body, with almost all of its work conducted by the Defence Board. The Secretary of State is the most senior individual in the Defence Council, which comprises of other Defence ministers, the Permanent Secretary, the Chief of Defence Staff, senior service officers and senior officials who head the armed services and the department’s major corporate functions.
Created by Letters Patent in 1964 it is essential to the legal functioning of the MOD. Via powers of prerogative, it gives the Secretary of State the ability to administer and command the Armed Forces by the Service Boards. The three Service boards (the Admiralty Board, the Army Board and the Air Force Board), which are sub-committees of the Defence Council, meet annually for each service chief to report to the Secretary of State on the health of their respective services.
Defence Board
The Defence Board, chaired by the Secretary of State, provides the top‑level strategic leadership of the Department. As the highest committee within the Ministry of Defence, it is responsible for the full range of Defence business other than the conduct of operations. Its role is to:
- set and steer Defence’s overall strategic direction
- define and articulate Defence’s vision, values, priorities and capabilities
- ensure the Department is appropriately resourced to meet its objectives
The Board focuses on a small number of the most critical departmental priorities and top‑level risks, directing action where required and holding the system to account for delivery.
Defence Audit and Risk Assurance Committee
The Defence Audit and Risk Assurance Committee (DARAC) reviews and challenges the Department’s approach to internal control and provides independent advice both to the Defence Board and Permanent Secretary as the Accounting Officer, on the effectiveness of the policies and processes in use. Its main focus is to assure the integrity of financial reporting and effectiveness of risk management. The committee provides assurance that financial reporting, systems, risk and internal controls and processes are designed effectively and are operating as they should. It identifies a small number of activities for deeper dives each year, in support of this process.
Defence Nuclear Board
The Defence Nuclear Board (DNB) is a sub-group of the Defence Board. It is the most senior board within MOD that deals exclusively with nuclear-related matters. The DNB is chaired by the Secretary of State for Defence and oversees and assures delivery of the UK’s strategic nuclear deterrent and the Defence Nuclear Enterprise (DNE) that sustains it.
The DNB focuses on the strategic issues shaping the overall health of the Enterprise and ensures that mitigations for short term risks are considered in light of long-term target outcomes. It is guided by analysis of the strategic risks to our nuclear deterrence capability and posture and the planned mitigations, reported progress across the portfolio of Defence Nuclear projects and programmes, and analysis of cross-cutting strategic themes.
Executive Committee
The Executive Committee (ExCo) is the Department’s senior decision‑making forum, supporting the Defence Board in discharging its responsibilities as a Department of State. It provides collective strategic leadership and ensures coherence across Ministerial and organisational priorities. The ExCo:
- sets and refines the Department’s strategic direction
- supports the Permanent Secretary in fulfilling Accounting Officer duties
- provides advice and direction on risk, performance, and cross‑cutting issues that require enterprise‑level coordination.
Its work programme is structured around the annual strategic planning cycle and includes:
- recommending the Defence Strategy to the Defence Board
- deciding the Defence Plan
- directing Defence Reform activities
- overseeing multi‑year strategic and spending reviews
- directing the Annual Budgeting Cycle
- resolving key performance challenges and risks escalated from across Defence.
Through this, ExCo acts as the central mechanism for shaping, governing and driving delivery of Defence’s strategic intent.
Investment Approvals Committee
The Investment Approvals Committee (IAC) is a sub-committee of the ExCo and the senior body in MOD responsible for decisions on major investment proposals. The IAC sets and enforces the policy and guidance for all investment and disinvestment decisions including where decisions are delegated.
The majority of IAC business is conducted through written correspondence but formally meets in person once a month to consider the most challenging cases In-Committee with additional meetings held as required. The Permanent Secretary, as the Accounting Officer, formally chairs the Committee, however this is normally delegated to Director General Finance for all but the most significant or material decisions. The IAC reports to the Defence Board through the Defence Management Group (DMG) and advises Defence Ministers on a course of action.
Defence Safety Committee
The Defence Safety Committee (DSC) is a sub‑committee of the ExCo and acts as the senior forum within Defence for the governance of Safety. It oversees the direction, delivery, performance, risk and assurance of Safety activity and of the Defence Safety Function.
The Committee brings together all parts of Defence at the most senior level to provide visible, top‑level ownership and leadership of all aspects of Safety, improving safety culture and performance across Defence.
People Committee
The People Committee (PC) is an executive, decision‑making sub‑committee of the Defence Executive Committee (ExCo). It acts as the senior forum within Defence for the governance of People matters, providing strategic direction, oversight and challenge across the Defence People agenda.
The PC provides visible, top‑level ownership and leadership of the People agenda, ensuring the effective delivery of strategic people priorities and overseeing key people‑focused change programmes so that outputs are delivered on time, within budget and aligned with Defence objectives, strengthening people outcomes, culture and performance across Defence.