Major General Matt Holmes CBE DSO

Commandant General Royal Marines

Major General Holmes joined the Royal Marines in 1988, after reading economics at Exeter University. He initially served with 42 Commando in Norway, then with 40 Commando in Norway and on Operation Banner in West Belfast during the troubles in 1993/4. He subsequently deployed to the Far East and Zimbabwe with 45 Commando before returning to Northern Ireland in command of K Company, 42 Commando, at the height of dissident activity in South Armagh.

On promotion to Major, he attended Staff College and completed a Master’s Degree in 2000, before returning to 3 Commando Brigade as the Brigade Operations Officer, completing Operation Agricola in Kosovo followed by Operation Jacana in Afghanistan in 2002. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel on his return and held a post in the MoD before moving to the PJHQ as an Operations Team Leader. In this latter role he oversaw Operation Coral in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the first autonomous EU Operation, and the emergency deployment of the Spearhead Battalion to Kosovo. He deployed to Iraq on Operation Telic as Chief (J5) Plans for the Headquarters of the Multi-National Division (South East) in Basrah thereafter. He enjoyed the privilege of command from March 2006, leading 42 Commando Battle Group on Operation Herrick 5 in Helmand Province, Afghanistan (2006-07). He was awarded the Distinguished Service Order for his Unit’s endeavors; the Commando was awarded one Conspicuous Gallantry Cross, seven Military Crosses and seven Mentions in Despatches during a fiercely contested tour.

Before promotion to Colonel in 2008, he spent time at the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines investing his operational experience in Officer and SNCO training. He has since undertaken brief appointments in the MoD and Northwood, before selection for the post of Military Assistant to the Vice Chief of Defence Staff and Second Permanent Under Secretary in December 2009, in which time he supported his principals through the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010, the Levene (Departmental) Reforms, and operations in Afghanistan and Libya. He completed the Higher Command and Staff Course in 2012 before employment as DACOS Resources and Plans in Navy Command HQ.

He was promoted to Brigadier in March 2013 and led the Futures and Maritime teams at the Development, Concepts and Doctrine Centre. He delivered the widely acclaimed ‘Global Strategic Trends 2045’ in June 2014, and subsequently delivered the ‘Future Operating Environment 2035.’ He was then seconded to support Minister Rory Stewart in a single-handed review of the national flood apparatus, before selection as the inaugural Chief of Staff of the Standing Joint Force Headquarters, the UK’s 2* joint, medium scale, expeditionary, high readiness command and control capability, taking the staff from formation to a full operating capability in two years.

Promoted to Major General in May 2018, he assumed the role of Deputy Advisor to the Ministry of Interior, Kabul, Afghanistan, on his deployment to NATO’s Resolute Support Mission. November 2018 saw him take on the additional role of Senior British Military Representative in Afghanistan. Returning from Kabul in May 2019, he was awarded a CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List for his outstanding contribution to the Royal Marines and to the United Kingdom’s defence and security interests. He assumed the role of Commandant General Royal Marines on 14 June 2019. In addition to his primary role, that of leading the Royal Marines, he is also the Senior Officer responsible for the development of the Littoral Strike Concept/Future Commando Force; overseeing a profound and seismic redesign of the Royal Marines. In addition, he is also the Champion of Maritime Special Operations for the Royal Navy and is working with the First Sea Lord to achieve the closer integration of the Royal Marines into the wider Royal Navy.

As Commandant General Royal Marines, he is also the Captain of Deal Castle, President of The Royal Marines Association – The Royal Marines Charity, Vice President of the Naval Children’s Charity, Vice President of the Royal Navy Winter Sports Association (Telemark and Nordik), a Member of the Royal Yacht Squadron and RUSI, and finally Patron of the Royal Marines Historical Society.

A friend of the Windsor Leadership Trust, Matt is married to Lea, a solicitor and they have two young children. They live in Hampshire and share interests in travel, music, skiing and water-sports.