Vice Admiral Andrew Paul Burns, CB, OBE (born 20 November 1969) is a former senior Royal Navy officer. He served as Fleet Commander from September 2021 to September 2025.
Andrew Burns | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Vice Admiral Burns in 2022 | |
| Born | 20 November 1969 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Branch | Royal Navy |
Service years | 1992–2026 |
Rank | Vice Admiral |
| Commands | Fleet Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces Amphibious Task Group HMS Bulwark HMS Somerset HMS Berkeley |
Conflicts | Iraq War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Officer of the Order of the British Empire |
Naval career
editEducated at Portsmouth Grammar School, Sherborne School and Durham University (Hatfield College) (1989–1992),[1] Burns joined the Royal Navy in 1992.[2] He also holds an MA degree in Defence Studies from King's College London. He was given command of the minesweeper HMS Berkeley in 2000 and, after being deployed to Iraq as a Director for Communications and Information Systems in 2004, he became commanding officer of the frigate HMS Somerset in 2009 and then of the assault ship HMS Bulwark in 2012.[2] He became Principal Staff Officer to the Commander Joint Forces Command in 2013,[2] and Commander Amphibious Task Group in May 2016.[3]
In February 2019, Burns was promoted to rear admiral,[4] and appointed Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces and Rear Admiral Surface Ships.[5][6] He was appointed Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Capability) in January 2020[7] and was also given the title of Director Develop as of September 2020.[8] He was promoted to vice admiral and took up the post of Fleet Commander in September 2021.[9] He stepped down as Fleet Commander in September 2025, and retired from the navy on 30 January 2026.[10]
Honours
editBurns was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2015 Birthday Honours,[11] and Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2021 Birthday Honours.[12]
He received the 2nd Clasp to the Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in 2024.[13]
References
edit- ↑ "Members' News" (PDF). Hatfield Record: 177. 2017. Retrieved 11 June 2019.
- 1 2 3 "Commodore Andrew Burns OBE" (PDF). Royal Navy. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ↑ "Senior Royal Navy appointments" (PDF). Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ↑ "No. 62610". The London Gazette (Supplement). 9 April 2019. p. 6430.
- ↑ "Royal Navy Appoints New Senior Officers". Forces Network. 18 February 2019. Retrieved 18 February 2019.
- ↑ "Andrew Burns" (PDF). Royal Navy. Retrieved 21 June 2019.
- ↑ Mackie, Colin (7 January 2020). "Admirals January 2020" (PDF). gulabin.com. Colin Mackie. Retrieved 7 January 2020.
Rear-Admiral Andrew P. Burns: Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Capability), January 2020
- ↑ "Director Develop or Director Development in Navy Command" (PDF). whatdotheyknow.com. 10 November 2020. Retrieved 10 November 2020.
In response to your request, I can advise that the position of Director Develop is held by Rear Admiral Andrew Burns.
- ↑ "Royal Navy appoints new Fleet Commander". Royal Navy. 24 September 2021. Retrieved 24 September 2021.
- ↑ "No. 65017". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 March 2026. p. 5111.
- ↑ "No. 61256". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 2015. p. B6.
- ↑ "No. 63377". The London Gazette (Supplement). 12 June 2021. p. B2.
- ↑ "No. 64528". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 October 2024. p. 18966.