James Swift | |
|---|---|
 Swift in 2019 | |
| Born | 6 October 1967 |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ | British Army |
| Years of service | 1989–2023 |
| Rank | Lieutenant General |
| Unit | Royal Welsh |
| Commands held | 3rd (United Kingdom) Division 20th Armoured Brigade 2nd Battalion, Royal Welsh |
| Battles/wars | Iraq War |
| Awards | Companion of the Order of the Bath Officer of the Order of the British Empire |
Lieutenant General James Francis Pardoe Swift, CB , OBE (born 6 October 1967) is a retired senior British Army officer.
Swift was born on 6 October 1967 in Bottisham, Cambridgeshire, England. He was educated at Netherhall School and Hills Road Sixth Form College. He studied chemistry at Christ Church, Oxford, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in 1989; as per tradition, his BA was promoted to a Master of Arts (MA Oxon) degree in 1992. [1]
Swift was commissioned in to the Royal Regiment of Wales on 1 September 1989. [2] He served as commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Welsh during the Iraq War, [3] for which he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) on 25 July 2008. [4] He became Commander of the 20th Armoured Brigade in May 2012. [1]
Swift was appointed Director of Strategy in March 2016; [5] the post was re-titled as Assistant Chief of the General Staff in September 2018. [6] He became General Officer Commanding the 3rd (United Kingdom) Division in November 2018. [7] It was announced on 30 January 2020 that Swift would become Chief of Defence People (CDP), succeeding Lieutenant General Richard Nugee in late February 2020. [8] Swift was promoted to lieutenant general on 27 February 2020, [9] and retired from the army on 25 April 2023. [10]
Swift was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2023 New Year Honours. [11]
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