Born in Hong Kong in 1962, Chris Gardner joined the Royal Navy as a Logistics Officer in 1984 having completed a Law Degree at Warwick University. His early career was spent mostly at sea in several logistic charge appointments initially in the Submarine Service (HMS TIRELESS) followed by HMS SIRUS and HMS ENDURANCE.

He then completed several staff appointments before taking up his last sea-going appointment as Commander Logistics on HMS ARK ROYAL. This includes duties as the Flag Support Commander for Commodore Amphibious Task Group during Telic1. His subsequent appointments brought him into Capabilities Management and Acquisition, both in Head Office and the Defence Procurement Agency.

This included responsibility for the Through Life Capability Management Programme and subsequently as Programme Manager and Design Authority for the Finance and Military Capability Transformation Programme. Building on this, he went on to implement changes within the Acquisition System to make Commands more intelligent and effective customers under the delegated model as part of the Defence Reform.

In November 2015, he promoted to Rear Admiral as Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Ships) and as Chief Naval Logistics Officer. Three and a half years of intense activity then followed, notably as Senior Responsible Owner for both the Type 26 Global Combat Ship and T31 General Purpose Frigate Programme.

Promoted to Vice Admiral in April 2019, he moved from being the Customer to lead the Ships Domain in DE&S, as the Royal Navy’s delivery agent for the acquisition and in-service support of the surface fleet.

He retired from active service in October 2022 to take on his current role as CEO SDA as a Senior Civil Servant, swapping Ships for Submarines, a welcome return to his operational roots.

When time allows, he pursues his passion for sailing. He was appointed CBE in 2016 and promoted to KBE in the New Year’s Honour list 2022. Married to Teresa, they live in Plymouth and have 2 grown up children.