Minister of State (Minister for Armed Forces)

The Rt Hon James Heappey MP

Biography

James Heappey was appointed as Minister of State (Minister for Armed Forces) at the Ministry of Defence on 7 July 2022.

He was elected as the Member of Parliament for the Wells Constituency in May 2015.

Before entering politics, James served in the Army reaching the rank of Major. In a 10 year career in the Rifles, James served on operations in Kabul in 2005, Northern Ireland in 2006, Basra in 2007 and Sangin in Helmand Province in 2009. He also served in Kenya and across the United Kingdom.

James was appointed Minister for Defence Procurement on 16 December 2019, having previously served as Parliamentary Private Secretary to the Prime Minister.

Minister of State (Minister for Armed Forces)

Responsible for all aspects of Armed Forces activity, including:​

  • Operations and Operational Policy
  • Africa
  • US
  • Ukraine & Russia
  • South and Central America & Caribbean
  • Europe
  • Middle East & Levant
  • NATO Operations & Planning
  • Defence Afghanistan Relocation (ARAP)
  • Force Generation
  • Single Services
  • Permanent Joint Overseas Bases
  • National Resilience

More about this role

Ministry of Defence