Rear Admiral Simon Paul Williams, CB, CVO, KStJ (born 13 July 1960), is a retired senior Royal Navy officer who served as Naval Secretary, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) and Flag Officer (Maritime Reserves) from March 2015 to June 2018.[1]
Simon Williams | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Admiral Williams in 2018 | |
| Born | 13 July 1960 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Branch | Royal Navy |
Service years | 1978–2018 |
Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands | Naval Secretary HMS Cornwall HMS Sheffield HMS Brecon |
Conflicts | Gulf War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Royal Victorian Order Knight of the Order of St John |
Since 2025, Williams serves as Prior of St John in England.[2]
Early life and education
editBorn in 1960 at Bristol, Williams was educated at Kingsbridge School,[3] the City University London (BSc) and the Britannia Royal Naval College.[4]
Naval career
editWilliams was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1978.[4] After taking charge of the minesweeper HMS Brecon, he was promoted Commanding Officer of the frigate HMS Sheffield in 2001 and of the frigate HMS Cornwall in 2005.[4]
Williams became Director of Naval Personnel Strategy at the Ministry of Defence in 2008,[3] Commodore of the Britannia Royal Naval College in March 2011[4] and then Defence Services Secretary[5] as well as Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Personnel and Training) in October 2012.[6] He went on to be Naval Secretary, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) and Flag Officer (Maritime Reserves) in March 2015.[7]
Honours and awards
edit
Companion of the Order of the Bath (2017)[8]
Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (2015)[9]
Knight of the Order of St John (2025)[10]
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Appointed Chancellor of the Priory of England and Islands of the Order of St John in 2023, Williams was promoted Prior of St John in 2025.[2]
Family
editWilliams is the son of Philip Williams and June née Winterton, a kinswoman of Baroness Winterton of Doncaster.[12]
References
edit- ↑ "Meet the Naval Review team". www.naval-review.com. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- 1 2 "St John appoints new Prior". Order of St John. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- 1 2 "Meet Simon Williams". Royal Navy. 1 August 2011. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 Commodore takes charge of college This is Devon, 28 February 2011
- ↑ "Court Circular". www.thetimes.com. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
- ↑ Ministry of Defence & Tri-service senior appointments
- ↑ "Forward by Flag Officer Reserves" (PDF). The Maritime Reservist. Spring 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
- ↑ "No. 61962". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2017. p. B2.
- ↑ "Honours and Awards". www.thegazette.co.uk. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ↑ "Order of St John". www.thegazette.co.uk. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
- ↑ "No. 64319". The London Gazette. 16 February 2024. p. 3246.
- ↑ www.burkespeerage.com