Simon Williams (Royal Navy officer)

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Simon Williams
Rear Admiral Simon Williams (cropped).jpg
Admiral Williams in 2018
Born13 July 1960
Bristol, Gloucestershire
AllegianceUnited Kingdom
Service / branch Royal Navy
Years of service1978–2018
Rank Rear Admiral
Commands Naval Secretary
HMS Cornwall
HMS Sheffield
HMS Brecon
Battles / wars Gulf War
Awards Companion of the Order of the Bath
Commander of the Royal Victorian Order
Knight of the Order of St John

Rear Admiral Simon Paul Williams CB , CVO , KStJ (born 13 July 1960), is a retired senior Royal Navy officer who served as Naval Secretary, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) and Flag Officer (Maritime Reserves) from March 2015 to June 2018. [1]

Contents

Since 2025, Williams serves as Prior of St John in England. [2]

Early life and education

Born in 1960 at Bristol, Williams was educated at Kingsbridge School, [3] the City University London (BSc) and the Britannia Royal Naval College. [4]

Williams was commissioned into the Royal Navy in 1978. [4] After taking charge of the minesweeper HMS Brecon, he was promoted Commanding Officer of the frigate HMS Sheffield in 2001 and of the frigate HMS Cornwall in 2005. [4]

Williams became Director of Naval Personnel Strategy at the Ministry of Defence in 2008, [3] Commodore of the Britannia Royal Naval College in March 2011 [4] and then Defence Services Secretary [5] as well as Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Personnel and Training) in October 2012. [6] He went on to be Naval Secretary, Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Personnel) and Flag Officer (Maritime Reserves) in March 2015. [7]

Honours and awards

KStJ breast star KJSTJ.jpg
KStJ breast star

Appointed Chancellor of the Priory of England and Islands of the Order of St John in 2023, Williams was promoted Prior of St John in 2025. [2]

Family

Williams is the son of Philip Williams and June née Winterton, a kinswoman of Baroness Winterton of Doncaster. [12]

References

  1. ↑ "Meet the Naval Review team". www.naval-review.com. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  2. 1 2 "St John appoints new Prior". Order of St John. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Meet Simon Williams". Royal Navy. 1 August 2011. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Commodore takes charge of college This is Devon, 28 February 2011
  5. ↑ "Court Circular". www.thetimes.com. 11 October 2012. Retrieved 12 February 2012.
  6. ↑ Ministry of Defence & Tri-service senior appointments
  7. ↑ "Forward by Flag Officer Reserves" (PDF). The Maritime Reservist. Spring 2016. Retrieved 1 February 2016.
  8. ↑ "No. 61962". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2017. p. B2.
  9. ↑ "Honours and Awards". www.thegazette.co.uk. 3 March 2015. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  10. ↑ "Order of St John". www.thegazette.co.uk. 10 February 2025. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
  11. ↑ "No. 64319". The London Gazette . 16 February 2024. p. 3246.
  12. ↑ www.burkespeerage.com
Military offices
Preceded by Defence Services Secretary
2012–2015		Succeeded by
Preceded by Naval Secretary
2015–2018		Succeeded by
Court offices
Preceded by Prior of the Order of Saint John
2025–present		Succeeded by
in office
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