Lieutenant General Sir Tom Copinger-Symes KCB CBE
Biography
Tom spent his early career with The Rifles on operations in Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan, and in operational and strategy posts at the Permanent Joint Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence. For the past 10 years he has focused on how the Army and Defence can make better use of its data and information, whether supporting traditional warfighting or employed as a weapon in its own right. This has included command at brigade (1 ISR Brigade) and divisional levels (6th (UK) Division). In his last post, as Director of Military Digitisation, he was responsible for the Digital Strategy for Defence, inclusing creation of a Digital Backbone, the Digital Foundry and the Defence AI Centre, to enable Defence’s transformation to a data-centric enterprise.
In May 2022 Tom was promoted to Lieutenant General, on appointment as the Deputy Commander Cyber & Specialist Operations Command (formerly know as UK Strategic Command). In August 2023 he assumed the additional responsibilities of Director General Joint Force Development.
Tom is also Colonel Commandant of The Rifles; Honorary Colonel of the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry; is Chair of Army Cresta Tobogganing; and Vice President of Army Cricket and Football. He is also active in growing esports and gaming across Defence, not least for their potential to increase digital and cyber skills, as well as to engage audiences across the UK and more broadly.
Deputy Commander Cyber & Specialist Operations Command
The Deputy Commander’s responsibilities include:
- Developing and delivering the Command Strategy and Command Plan and supporting portfolio, including Command’s transformation programme.
- Cohering the Command’s leadership of the Cyber & Electromagnetic Domain, including formation of the Defence Cyber & EM Force alongside the National Cyber Force, and developing Defence’s Cyber and Digital workforce
- Building the Integrated Global Defence Network including the UK’s overseas bases, Defence Attaches and Loan Service personnel across the globe.
- Overseeing delivery of key Strategic Defence Review and Defence Reform outcomes – including the Digital Targeting Web and Digital Warfighter Group
- Oversight of the UK Defence Academy and Royal College of Defence Studies, as well as the Integrated Warfare Centre and Defence Wargaming Hub
- As the Principal Personnel Officer, representing the Command on all aspects of the Defence People Programme, as well as championing the Command’s Health, Safety and Environment Protection activity.