We are delighted to announce the appointment of Vice Admiral Andrew Burns CB OBE (RTD) as a Director of the South West Business Council (SWBC)
Claire Pearce, Chair of SWBC, commented, “Andrew brings an accomplished record of senior leadership, strategic influence, and organisational transformation built over a remarkable career at the highest levels of the Royal Navy and across multinational environments. Andrew is an accomplished executive and board member. We are absolutely thrilled that he is able to join the team and strengthen our focus on defence as a key industrial growth sector for the South West”.
Throughout his career, Andrew has:
- Served as a member of the Royal Navy Senior Leadership Team and Navy Board, shaping long-term strategy and working closely with defence ministers.
- Commanded three Royal Navy ships, developing high-performing teams through a leadership philosophy grounded in emotional intelligence, empathy, and clear intent.
- Become the first – and to date only – Royal Navy officer to command a US Naval Task Force in the Middle East, leading multinational operations in a highly complex environment.
- Played a central role in the Royal Navy’s transformation programme, modernising culture, systems, and ways of working.
- Delivered major organisational change, including transforming the role of Fleet Commander (overseeing a multi-billion pound budget and 60% of the Royal Navy’s personnel) and modernising the Navy’s Capability Directorate.
- Introduced new models for capability management, sea training, operating structures, and coaching-led development—improving efficiency, enhancing outcomes, and enabling innovation.
His recent professional development includes executive programmes at London Business School, Saïd Business School, and the US National Defense University, complementing earlier academic achievements in geography and defence studies.
Commenting on his appointment, Andrew said, ‘I am delighted to join the South West Business Council. With strong professional and family connections in the region, I look forward to promoting the economic growth of the region through cross-sector collaboration and the opportunities that defence investment will bring”.
Andrew’s appointment strengthens SWBC’s commitment to strategic, dynamic and diverse leadership. We are excited to welcome him to the Board and look forward to the expertise, perspective, and energy he will bring.
Andrew’s full naval career and bio
Andrew Burns was appointed Fleet Commander in September 2021 and commanded all operational arms of the Royal Navy (Surface Flotilla, Submarine Flotilla, Fleet Air Arm, Royal Marines and Royal Fleet Auxiliary). This included their generation for task and operational effectiveness. He was the Chief Naval Warfare Officer and the Gender Advocate for the Royal Navy.
Andrew joined the Royal Navy in 1989 as a University Cadet, subsequently graduating in geography from the University of Durham. As a junior officer he qualified as a Bridge Watch-keeping Officer, Fighter Controller and Principal Warfare Officer and saw service on operations across the world in destroyers, a frigate and an aircraft carrier.
He has been privileged to command the mine countermeasures vessel HMS Berkeley, the frigate HMS SOMERSET and the amphibious assault ship HMS BULWARK. He was appointed OBE in 2015. Promoted to Commodore, he commanded the Amphibious Task Group, which included a period in command of the US Fifth Fleet Combined Task Force 50 as the Principal Warfighting Commander. More recently, he was Commander United Kingdom Strike Force, the Royal Navy’s deployable 2* operational commander, and Rear Admiral Surface Ships, the head of the Surface Flotilla Fighting Arm.
Shore appointments have included: the National Contingent Headquarters for Operation TELIC; the Multinational Force Headquarters (Baghdad); Directorates of Special Forces and Strategic Plans in the Ministry of Defence; Commander Sea Training; Joint Forces Command as the Principal Staff Officer to the Commander; Assistant Chief of Staff Ships in NCHQ; and latterly, Director Develop, responsible for the future design and capability of the Royal Navy. He was appointed CB in 2021.
He has attended the Royal College of Defence Studies as an Associate Member and is a graduate of the Advanced Command and Staff Course (MA in Defence Studies, King’s College London) and the Higher Command and Staff Course. He has been a Visiting Research Fellow at the Changing Character of War Programme, Pembroke College, University of Oxford. He holds an Honorary Doctorate in Science from the University of Plymouth and is a graduate of the US Combined Forces Maritime Component Commanders Course and the UK/US Rising Leaders Course. he is an alumnus of the London and Oxford University Said Business Schools.
Andrew is: a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society; a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Managers; a Fellow of the Durham Institute for Research, Development and Invention; a Younger Brother of Trinity House; a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers; and a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Master Mariners. He sits on the Advisory Board of the Council on Geostrategy Sea-power Laboratory. He is also President of RN Cricket and a Patron of Plymouth-based Future Fit Junior Field Gun. He has a wide range of other interests and has maintained his enthusiasm for team sports.
Please join us in welcoming Andrew to the South West Business Council.
