Guidance

National Shipbuilding Strategy client board

Updated 16 April 2024

Non-Executive Director The National Shipbuilding Strategy Client Board, chaired by the First Sea Lord, was setup in 2017 as a key element of the governance structure to ensure clear line of sight exists between senior decision makers and the teams which deliver ship acquisition projects.

The role of the Client Board Non-Executive Director is to:

  • support the First Sea Lord to examine, challenge and support the delivery of new warship and support ship capability and the commercial implications of policy proposals, major projects and programmes, financial, strategic and organisational issues
  • contribute effectively to discussions on the leadership and performance of the ship acquisition business at the Client Board meetings
  • work with the First Sea Lord and client board members to scrutinise the management information to ensure performance and delivery of the ship acquisition portfolio and other key objectives are ambitious and achievable
  • bring an independent perspective to the work of the client board, as well as providing independent scrutiny for the board upon request.

All appointments and re-appointments have been made in accordance with the Governance Code on Public Appointments.

2018

February

The Secretary of State for Defence is happy to announce the appointment of Mr Christopher Walton as the Non-Executive Director to the client board from March 2018 for an initial term of 3 years.