Simon Williams (Royal Navy officer)

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]

Simon Williams
Admiral Williams in 2018
Born	13 July 1960 Bristol, Gloucestershire
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service / branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1978–2018
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

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]

Naval career

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

• Companion of the Order of the Bath (2017)^[8]
• Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (2015)^[9]
• Knight of the Order of St John (2025)^[10]
  • Officer of the Order of St John (2024)^[11]

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. "St John appoints new Prior". Order of St John. 20 December 2024. Retrieved 12 February 2025.
3. "Meet Simon Williams". Royal Navy. 1 August 2011. Archived from the original on 14 November 2014.
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 David Murray	Defence Services Secretary 2012–2015	Succeeded by Richard Nugee
Preceded by Jonathan Woodcock	Naval Secretary 2015–2018	Succeeded by Michael Bath
Court offices
Preceded by Stuart Shilson	Prior of the Order of Saint John 2025–present	Succeeded by in office