Director Special Forces

Updated on Dec 27, 2023

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Director Special Forces (DSF) is a senior role within the British Ministry of Defence and the professional head of the United Kingdom Special Forces. As Director, the incumbent is responsible for the provision of Special Forces capability to MoD, Commands the UK Special Forces Group, and holds Operational Command for discrete Special Forces operations. The DSF has since 2008 held the rank of Major-General, previously a Brigadier, reflecting the increased size of the directorate. The position has evolved from Colonel SAS in 1964 to Director SAS in 1969 and to Director Special Forces in 1988.

Directors

Directors have been:

Colonel SAS

1964–1967 Colonel John Waddy (late Parachute Regiment)

1967–1969 Colonel Mike Wingate Gray (late Black Watch)

Director SAS

1969–1972 Brigadier Fergie Semple (late Royal Engineers)

1972–1975 Brigadier John Simpson (late Gordon Highlanders)

1975–1979 Brigadier John Watts (late Royal Ulster Rifles)

1979–1983 Brigadier Peter de la Billière (late Durham Light Infantry)

1983–1985 Brigadier John Foley (late Royal Green Jackets)

1986–1988 Brigadier Michael Wilkes (late Royal Artillery)

Director Special Forces

1988–1989 Brigadier Michael Rose (late Coldstream Guards)

1989–1993 Brigadier Jeremy Phipps (late Queen's Own Hussars)

1993–1996 Brigadier Cedric Delves (late Devonshire and Dorset Regiment)

1996–1999 Brigadier John Sutherell (late Royal Anglian Regiment)

1999–2001 Brigadier John Holmes (late Scots Guards)

2001–2003 Brigadier Graeme Lamb (late Queen's Own Highlanders)

2003–2006 Brigadier Jonathan Shaw (late Parachute Regiment)

2006–2009 Brigadier Adrian Bradshaw (late King's Royal Hussars)

2009–2012 Major General Jacko Page (late Parachute Regiment)

2012–2015 Major General Mark Carleton-Smith (late Irish Guards)

2015–Present Major General James Chiswell (late Parachute Regiment)

References

Director Special Forces Wikipedia

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