Chair, Committee on Standards in Public Life

Doug Chalmers CB DSO OBE

Biography

Doug began his career in the British Army in 1984 as a private soldier. He served in the Army for 37 years. Over that time, he was stationed in England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Germany, Cyprus and the United States, deploying frequently on operations. His final appointment was as the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Military Strategy and Operations), an office he held from 2018 to 2021. He is currently the Master of Emmanuel College, Cambridge and sits on the management board for the University’s Centre for Geopolitics. 

Doug was appointed Chair of the Committee on Standards in Public Life on 12 December 2023 for a five-year term and was subsequently  appointed by the Prime Minister as the first Chair of the Ethics and Integrity Commission in October 2025.

Chair, Committee on Standards in Public Life

The Chair is responsible for leading the committee in:

  • advising the Prime Minister about standards of conduct of all holders of public office
  • making recommendations for change to ensure the highest standards in public life

The Chair also:

  • leads and manages the work programme
  • acts as a spokesperson for the committee
  • consults with the relevant parliamentary committees and regulators

Ethics and Integrity Commission

Previous roles in government

  • Deputy Chief of Defence Staff (Military Strategy and Operations)
    • 2018 to 2021