Alan West
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Admiral Sir Alan West, GCB, DSC, ADC (born 1948) is the First Sea Lord, the professional head of the Royal Navy.
West joined the Navy in 1965 and has served on 14 different ships, commanding three of them.
In 1980 he was promoted to Commander of the frigate HMS Ardent, which was sunk on May 21, 1982, during the Argentinean campaign. West was the last to leave the sinking ship and was subsequently awarded the Distinguished Service Cross.
West was made Rear Admiral in February 1994. In February 1996 he became Commander United Kingdom Task Group. In October 1997 he was promoted to Vice Admiral and Chief of Defence Intelligence.
West was knighted in 2000. He became an Admiral in November 2000 when he took up the post of Commander-in-Chief Fleet, NATO Commander-in-Chief East Atlantic and NATO Commander Allied Naval Forces North.
West was appointed as First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff in September 2002. Admiral West is also a member of the Defence Council and Admiralty Board as well as First and Principal Naval Aide-de-Camp to Her Majesty The Queen.
| Preceded by: Sir Nigel Essenhigh | First Sea Lord 2002— | Succeeded by: Current Incumbent |