Gordon Messenger

Messenger was born on 15 April 1962 in Dundee, Scotland.{{cite book |title=Messenger, Gen. Sir Gordon (Kenneth) |url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-268542 |website=Who's Who 2019 |publisher=Oxford University Press |access-date=13 February 2019 |date=1 December 2018|doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U268542 |isbn=978-0-19-954088-4 }} He was educated at King Edward VI School, Southampton, then an all-boys school. He studied geography at the University of Leicester, graduating with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1983.

On 15 September 1983, Messenger was appointed an acting lieutenant on a short career graduate commission, (with seniority from 1 September 1982),{{London Gazette|issue=49517|supp=y|page=13992|date=24 October 1983}} transferring to a full career commission on 21 May 1986 with seniority from 1 September 1984.{{London Gazette|issue=50589|supp=y|page=9020|date=7 July 1986}} At this time he also qualified as a Mountain Leader.[http://www.royalmarines.mod.uk/server/show/nav.6618 Royal Marines Website] retrieved 2 March 2009. In 1995 he graduated from the Canadian Forces Command and Staff Course No 21.[https://web.archive.org/web/20110706182202/http://www.cfc.forces.gc.ca/219-eng.html CFC Graduates as Operational Commanders]. Retrieved 20 May 2008 He was promoted substantive major on 30 June 1997, having previously held the rank locally.{{London Gazette|issue=54820|supp=y|pages=7549–7550|date=30 June 1997}}

Messenger served with British forces in the former Yugoslavia in 2000 (Kosovo), for which he was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).{{London Gazette|issue=56373|supp=y |page=12747|date=30 October 2001}} In 2001 he took command of 40 Commando.{{cite web |url=http://www.ukwhoswho.com/view/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.001.0001/ww-9780199540884-e-268542/ |title=Messenger, Gen. Sir Gordon (Kenneth)|publisher=Who's Who |date=1 December 2016 |website=Who's Who & Who Was Who |access-date=15 March 2018}}

He was promoted substantive colonel on 30 June 2002, having previously held the rank on an acting basis.{{London Gazette|issue=56626|supp=y |pages=8183–8184|date=9 July 2002}}[http://www.rncom.mod.uk/uploadedFiles/RN/Reference_Library/e_navy_list_2006.pdf The Navy List 2006] retrieved 19 May 2008. {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080414074814/http://www.rncom.mod.uk/uploadedFiles/RN/Reference_Library/e_navy_list_2006.pdf |date=14 April 2008 }} For his leadership of 40 Commando (and attached army units) in Iraq, including the initial assault on Al Faw peninsular, and an action against Iraqi armour at Abu Al Khasib, he was appointed a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (DSO) on 31 October 2003.{{London Gazette|issue=57100|supp=y |page=4|date=30 October 2003}}[http://www.operations.mod.uk/telic/op_honours_dso.htm Operational Awards for Op TELIC] retrieved 19 May 2008. After a sabbatical in Geneva, he joined the Joint Force Headquarters as Chief of Staff in July 2004, a job that saw him on various operations worldwide, including Operation Garron, the 2004 tsunami relief effort, Operation Highbrow, the Lebanon evacuation operation, and a six-month tour in command of the Operation Herrick preliminary operation in Afghanistan.[http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/4676370.stm UK Colonel Outlines Afghan Vision] retrieved 19 May 2008. He graduated from the UK Higher Command and Staff Course in 2007 and was promoted brigadier on 24 April 2007.{{London Gazette|issue=58309|supp=y |page=5869|date=24 April 2007}} On 1 April 2008 he was appointed an aide-de-camp to the Queen.{{London Gazette|issue=58660|supp=y |page=5327|date=8 April 2008}}

File:Lt. Gen. Gordon K. Messenger with Lt. Col. Mark Purdy 2.jpg

Messenger served as the British Commander of Task Force Helmand,{{cite web|url=http://www.mod.uk/DefenceInternet/DefenceNews/MilitaryOperations/3CommandoBrigadeTakeOverInHelmand.htm|title=3 Commando Brigade take over in Helmand|date=8 October 2008|publisher=MoD|access-date=5 January 2009}} during the 3 Commando Brigade deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan on Operation Herrick IX in 2008–2009. For his leadership during this operation he was awarded a Bar to his DSO on 11 September 2009,{{London Gazette|issue=59182|supp=y|page=15640|date=11 September 2009}} the first member of the Naval Service to receive the DSO and Bar for over 50 years.[http://www.dailyexpress.co.uk/posts/view/146663 General seeks support for troops], The Daily Express, 18 December 2009. Retrieved on 10 February 2010 He was promoted major general in late 2009, and appointed lead spokesman on British operations in Afghanistan. He went on to be Chief of Staff (Operations) at Permanent Joint Headquarters, Northwood in 2011[http://www.defenceviewpoints.co.uk/defence-news/up-and-out-promotions-leavers-new-jobs-may-2012 Up and out : Promotions, leavers, new jobs May 2012] Defence Viewpoints and became Director Force Reintegration HQ International Security Assistance Force in October 2012.[http://www.defenceviewpoints.co.uk/defence-news/ups-and-outs-promotions-retirements-in-hm-forces-june-2012 Ups and outs ; Promotions, retirements in HM Forces June 2012] Defence Viewpoints He served as Deputy Commander of NATO Allied Land Command (LANDCOM)-Izmir from January 2013[http://www.jftc.nato.int/news-stories/nato-land-command-tightens-links-with-the-jftc NATO Land Command Tightens Links with the JFTC] NATO until June 2014 when he was assigned to the post of Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Operations) in the Ministry of Defence.[https://www.lc.nato.int/articles.php?news_id=304&hash=messenger Allied Land Command news] NATO He was promoted to lieutenant general on 14 January 2013.{{London Gazette|issue=60398|supp=y |page=1159|date=22 January 2013}}

On 1 December 2015, Messenger appeared in front of the Defence Select Committee of the House of Commons in relation to the military situation in Syria.{{Cite web|title = David Cameron has failed to justify Syria airstrikes, MPs' committee says|url = https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/dec/01/cameron-has-failed-to-justify-syria-airstrikes-mps-committee-says|website = The Guardian|access-date = 2015-12-02|first1 = Nicholas|last1 = Watt|first2 = Ewen|last2 = MacAskill|first3 = Rowena|last3 = Mason| date=December 2015 }} On 15 March 2016, he was in South Korea to observe British troops participating in Operation Key Resolve.{{Cite web|title = British General in S. Korea to observe Key Resolve|url = http://english.yonhapnews.co.kr/national/2016/03/15/0301000000AEN20160315012151315.html?input=www.twitter.com|website = Yonhap News Agency|access-date = 2016-05-27}} Messenger handed over his role of Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff (Operations) to Lieutenant General Mark Carleton-Smith on 18 April 2016.{{London Gazette|issue=61557|supp=y|page=9194|date=18 April 2016}} He was appointed as Vice Chief of the Defence Staff in spring 2016, in succession to Air Chief Marshal Stuart Peach. Messenger was formally promoted to full general on 16 May 2016.{{London Gazette|issue=61649|supp=y |page=15568|date=19 July 2016}} He is the first four-star Royal Marine general since 1977.{{cite web|url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/politics/article/marine-general-chosen-as-top-brass-no-2-jfcwh0f9rmc|title=Marine general chosen as top brass No 2|work=The Times|date=29 January 2016 |access-date=31 January 2016}}{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/the-secretary-of-state-announces-new-senior-appointments-in-the-armed-services|title=The Secretary of State announces new Senior Appointments in the Armed Services|access-date=31 January 2016}}

Messenger was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in the 2015 Birthday Honours,{{London Gazette|issue=61256|supp=y |page=B3|date=13 June 2015}} and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2016 Birthday Honours.{{London Gazette|issue=61608|supp=y|page=B2|date=11 June 2016}} He is patron of the Defence Medical Welfare Service,{{cite web|url=https://www.dmws.org.uk/dmws-champions|title=Patrons |work=Defence Medical Welfare Service |access-date=15 November 2016}} and honorary Colonel of 131 Commando Squadron Royal Engineers.{{London Gazette|issue=59720|supp=y |page=4237|date=8 March 2011}}

Messenger retired from the Royal Marines in May 2019.{{Cite web|url=https://twitter.com/los_fisher/status/1128252258284650498|title=General Sir Gordon Messenger retired from the British military as vice chief two hours ago. He tells the WSJ CEO Council he's looking forward to doing all those things he couldn't in armed forces, including "growing a beard & developing a very expensive cocaine habit" !!|first=Lucy|last=Fisher|date=14 May 2019}} On 6 December 2021 Messenger was appointed Rear-Admiral of the United Kingdom, the first time that a Royal Marine has held the role.{{London Gazette | issue=63647 |page=5318|supp=y | date= 22 March 2022}}

File:Transfer of the Tower Keys.jpg during his installation as Constable]]

In April 2022, it was announced that he had been appointed Constable of the Tower of London. He took up the post on 1 August 2022, and is the first Royal Marine to hold the post.{{cite web |title=General Sir Gordon makes history as first Royal Marine in charge of Tower of London |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2022/april/07/20220407-general-sir-gordon-makes-history-as-first-rm-in-charge-of-tower-of-london |website=royalnavy.mod.uk |language=en}} On 5 October 2022, he was officially installed as the 161st Constable of the Tower during a service at the Tower of London.{{cite web |title=The New Constable of the Tower of London |url=https://www.hrp.org.uk/blog/the-new-constable-of-the-tower-of-london |website=Historic Royal Palaces |access-date=7 November 2022 |date=4 October 2022}}

Messenger served as Lord High Steward at the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla in 2023.{{Cite web|url=https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2023-04-27/roles-to-be-performed-at-the-coronation-service-at-westminster-abbey|title=Roles to be performed at the Coronation Service at Westminster Abbey|date=27 April 2023 |publisher=The Royal Family|access-date=27 April 2023}} He carried St Edward's Crown in the Royal procession.{{cite web |title=Coronation order of service in full |work=BBC News |date=5 May 2023 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-65503950 |access-date=6 May 2023}}

Messenger was appointed in October 2021 to lead a review of leadership in the English NHS. The review considered the "pay and incentives" offered to the service's most senior figures, as well as the "effective systems for intervention and recovery in both providers and integrated care systems", and was to report by May 2022.{{cite news |title=Daily Insight: Messenger delayed but to the point |url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/daily-insight/daily-insight-messenger-delayed-but-to-the-point/7031393.article? |access-date=28 December 2021 |publisher=Health Service Journal |date=24 November 2021}} The King's Fund produced a timeline of recent major NHS reviews, most of which had little impact.{{cite news |title=Leading health and care services: a timeline of health and care leadership developments in England |url=https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/audio-video/health-and-care-leadership-england-timeline |access-date=26 July 2022 |publisher=Kings Fund |date=10 March 2022}} Sajid Javid welcomed the report saying: "The findings in this report are stark, it shows examples of great leadership but also where we need to urgently improve,"{{cite news |title=Sajid Javid pledges NHS leadership changes after review finds bullying |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-61727258 |access-date=25 July 2022 |publisher=BBC |date=8 June 2022}} but according to the Health Service Journal it was full of well-meaning and often well-judged sentiments – but the recommendations were either peripheral or so vague as to be virtually worthless with the only significant recommendation being the introduction of a single set of "core leadership and management standards". It also overlapped with the review of the application of the Fit-and-proper-person test to the NHS.{{cite news |title=The Messenger review is a con |url=https://www.hsj.co.uk/workforce/the-messenger-review-is-a-con/7032591.article |access-date=25 July 2022 |publisher=Health Service Journal |date=9 June 2022}} The Daily Telegraph said the review addressed "none of the issues that affect the great majority of people, or at least not directly", and that it also contained contradictory positions on diversity, inclusion and bullying.{{cite news |title=Tinkering with NHS governance is hardly the radical reform patients crave |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/opinion/2022/06/09/tinkering-nhs-governance-hardly-radical-reform-patients-crave/ |access-date=26 July 2022 |work=The Daily Telegraph |date=9 June 2022}} It was also pointed out that – by any reasonable definition – the NHS has "far too few managers" with low spending on administration and planning compared to other healthcare systems.{{cite news |title=Time and again the Tories are wrong about the NHS. It actually needs more managers |url=https://inews.co.uk/opinion/time-and-again-the-tories-are-wrong-about-the-nhs-it-actually-needs-more-managers-1675914 |access-date=26 July 2022 |publisher=i news |date=8 June 2022}}

Messenger is married to Sarah and they have three children. He enjoys running, rugby, rock climbing, golf, gardening and real ale.

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• [https://www.gov.uk/government/people/gordon-messenger General Gordon Messenger]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080307043313/http://www.rncom.mod.uk/uploadedFiles/RN/Reference_Library/e_navy_list_2006.pdf The Navy List 2006]

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Category:1962 births

Category:Living people

Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath

Category:Companions of the Distinguished Service Order

Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire

Category:Royal Marines generals

Category:Lord High Stewards

Category:Royal Navy personnel of the Iraq War

Category:Royal Navy personnel of the War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)

Category:People educated at King Edward VI School, Southampton

Category:Alumni of the University of Leicester

Category:Military personnel from Dundee

Category:20th-century Royal Marines personnel