First Sea Lord
| First Sea Lord link | |
|---|---|
| Start | 1904 |
| Website | http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/senior-naval-staff/first-sea-lord/ |
| Predecessors | Senior Naval Lord, 1689-1771, First Naval Lord, 1771-1904 |
| Leader of the once mighty Royal Navy. | |
The First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff (1SL/CNS)[1][2] is the professional head of the United Kingdom's Royal Navy and Naval Service.
Originally titled the "Senior Naval Lord to the Board of Admiralty" when the post was created in 1689, the office was re-styled "First Naval Lord" in 1771. The concept of a professional "First Naval Lord" was introduced in 1805, and the title of the office was changed to "First Sea Lord" on the appointment of Sir John Fisher in 1904. Since 1923, the First Sea Lord has been a member of the Chiefs of Staff Committee; he now sits on the Defence Council and the Admiralty Board.[3]