Royal Navy Vice Admiral appointed new NATO commander
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For the past three years, he has been Commander of NATO’s Maritime Command and this is the first time the position has been held by a member of the Royal Navy.
He will take up the new appointment in the rank of Admiral in succession to Lieutenant General Sir Tim Radford in July next.
Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe serves as the second in command to the Supreme Allied Commander Europe and concurrently as the deputy head of Allied Command Operations.
Vice Admiral Keith Blount said: “It is an absolute honour to have been selected to succeed General Sir Tim Radford as the next Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
“He has been instrumental in guiding NATO’s work at a critical time for the Alliance and its Partners and I look forward to maintaining the momentum.
“The strength of NATO lies with its people and we have a highly skilled and dedicated team that is laser focused on our collective defence.”
Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said: “I am delighted to congratulate Vice Admiral Keith Blount on his promotion to Admiral and appointment as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe.
“His appointment demonstrates the United Kingdom’s unwavering commitment to NATO and our leadership in European defence. I pay tribute to the contribution Vice Admiral Blount has made to the Royal Navy and the Alliance in his career to date.
"He brings extensive leadership experience and has served on operations across the globe along our allies and partners. I look forward to continuing to working with him and NATO.
“I would also like to take this opportunity to recognise all that General Sir Tim Radford has contributed during his time in the role.”
Chief of the Defence Staff Admiral Sir Tony Radakin added: “Vice Admiral Blount’s appointment as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe is testament to his leadership of NATO’s Maritime Forces at this pivotal time for European security.
“It also reflects the United Kingdom’s commitment to the Alliance on land and in the air, our exceptional nuclear contribution, our growing cyber capabilities, and our pivotal role on NATO’s northern flank, all of which make Britain the leading European ally."
Biography of Vice Admiral Keith Blount
Vice Admiral Keith Blount joined the Royal Navy in 1984 as a helicopter pilot. He received his wings two years later aged 20 and for nine years specialised in anti-submarine warfare operations and search-and-rescue.
During those years he became an instructor and in 1993, flew with the Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team.
The mid-90s saw a shift in Vice Admiral Blount’s career and saw him become commanding officer of his first ship – HMS Anglesey, an Offshore Patrol Vessel carrying out fishery protection.
Following this role, he returned to the cockpit as a senior pilot and second-in-command of the Fleet Air Arm’s 820 Naval Air Squadron. He then joined his first warship as commanding officer, frigate HMS Somerset.
In the late 2000s he returned to a Royal Navy ship, taking over the command of the then largest ship of the fleet HMS Ocean. He travelled to the US, South Atlantic, Brazil and Africa with the ship.
He also spent time as Commander of the Iraqi Maritime Task Group during Operation Telic and then his role as Chief of Staff to Combined Task Force 151 saw him embark on US Navy ship USS Anzio.
Between 2005 and 2007 he was based in Shrivenham as Directing Staff of the Joint Services Command and Staff Course, responsible for students on the Advanced Command and Staff Course. This was his first staff appointment of many with Vice Admiral Blount also spending two years as Military Assistant to the Vice Chief of Defence Staff.
Between 2015 and 2019 he was Head of the Fleet Air Arm and the officer accountable for the delivery and programme management of the Queen Elizabeth-class carriers. This followed his time in Bahrain as UK Maritime Component Commander of the Combined Maritime Forces.
For the past three years, he has been Commander of NATO’s Maritime Command.
He was awarded an OBE in 2012 and was bestowed an operational Legion of Merit by the President of the United States in 2016.He holds a Master of Arts degree in Defence Studies and has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate from the University of Plymouth.