Royal Marine beats submariners to Navy’s operations commander

A ROYAL MARINE has beaten submariners to take charge of the Navy’s global operations for the first time.

Brig Rich Cantrill will take on the role later this year, where he will oversee the protection of home waters, as well as

Navy and Marine actions and activities worldwide. The Telegraph understands while a number of submariners applied, Brig Cantrill, 49, who is currently assistant chief of staff overseeing operations at the Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, north-west London, was considered the best candidate.

A defence source said the role of Commander Operations had changed in recent years, with Russian submarine threats in the North Atlantic no longer the main focus. They cited the fall out in the Red Sea and the UK having a permanent presence in the Pacific as now being “just as relevant”, which made the job suitable for someone without previous experience as a submariner.

Brig Cantrill has held prominent posts across defence and government, notably as deputy of the Ministry of Defence’s counter-terrorism operations, a role in the Cabinet Office’s Covid taskforce and serving as chief of staff of the UK’S Amphibious Forces as they countered pirates off the Horn of Africa in 2016. He has been in the Royal Marines for almost 30 years, commanding 3 Commando Brigade after roles in the Plymouth-based 42 Commando, first leading Lima Company on operations in Afghanistan before taking over the unit as commanding officer in 2014. Brig Cantrill said he was “absolutely delighted” to have been given the role, adding: “The delivery of Royal Navy operations, and the maritime contribution to joint operations, are fundamental to protecting the nation and helping it to prosper.”