Admiral Sir Philip Jones KCB ADC

Biography

Born in Bebington, Cheshire and educated at Birkenhead School, he joined the Royal Navy in 1978 and, after training at BRNC Dartmouth, he read for a degree in Geography at Mansfield College, Oxford.

His Fleet training, following graduation, took him to the South Atlantic in 1982, where he saw active service in the Amphibious Assault Ship HMS Fearless. He has broad operational experience from early seagoing appointments as a bridge watchkeeper, navigator, Principal Warfare Officer and on the Maritime Battle Staff, which included Operation Grapple in the Adriatic in 1993. He commanded the Type 22 frigate HMS Beaver as a Commander, the Type 22 frigate HMS Coventry as a Captain, the Amphibious Task Group as a Commodore and UK Maritime Forces as a Rear Admiral.

Ashore he has served in the Ministry of Defence (MOD) during the 1997 to 1998 Strategic Defence Review, as Military Assistant to the 4* Chief of Defence Logistics, leading the C4ISTAR Division of the Fleet Headquarters and, as a Flag Officer, in command of Regional Forces and the Maritime Reserves. He returned to MOD as Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy) for the 2010 Strategic Defence and Security Review and 2011 Defence Reform Review.

On promotion to Vice Admiral in December 2011 he served as Deputy Fleet Commander, Chief of Staff Navy Command Headquarters and Chief Naval Warfare Officer and then in November 2012 he became the Fleet Commander and Deputy Chief of Naval Staff.

He is a graduate of both the Joint Service Defence College and the Higher Command and Staff Course, was made a Companion of the most honourable Order of the Bath in the 2012 New Year’s Honours and promoted to be a Knight Commander in the Order of the Bath in the 2014 Birthday Honours.

Admiral Jones is a Younger Brother of Trinity House, a Freeman of the City of Glasgow, an alumnus of the Windsor Leadership Trust and President of both RN Rugby Union and RN Polo.

Previous roles in government

  • First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff