Reports to The Prime Minister Formation 2010 Website www.gov.uk | Appointer The Prime Minister First holder Sir Peter Ricketts | |
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Deputy Deputy National Security Adviser | ||
The National Security Adviser (NSA) is a senior official in the Cabinet Office, based in Whitehall who serves as the chief adviser to the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom and Cabinet of the United Kingdom on national security issues. The NSA post was created in May 2010 as part of the reforms that also saw the creation of the National Security Council (United Kingdom). There have been three incumbents to date, with only one serving more than two years in post.
The NSA is secretary to the National Security Council which is chaired by the Prime Minister and head of National Security and Intelligence (National Security Secretariat) which is part of the Cabinet Office. The NSA will also advise Secretaries of State and other government ministers on issues of national security when necessary.
The first National Security Adviser (NSA) of the United Kingdom was Sir Peter Ricketts, who was previously Permanent Secretary of the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Chairman of the Joint Intelligence Committee. He handed over to Sir Kim Darroch in January 2012. On 7 July 2015, it was announced that Sir Mark Lyall Grant would replace Darroch as National Security Adviser in early September 2015.