# Ben Key

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{{Short description|Royal Navy officer (born 1965)}}
{{distinguish|Ben Kay}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2021}}
{{Infobox military person
| honorific_prefix = [Admiral](/source/Admiral_(Royal_Navy))
| name          = Sir Ben Key
| honorific_suffix = {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100|sep=,|KCB|CBE}}
| image         = First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key.jpg
| caption       = Key in 2022
| nickname      = 
| birth_date    = {{birth date and age|df=y|7 November 1965}}
| birth_place   = 
| death_date    = 
| death_place   = 
| allegiance    = United Kingdom
| branch        = [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy)
| service_years  = 1984–2025
| rank          = [Admiral](/source/Admiral_(Royal_Navy)) 
| service_number = C031724D<ref name="ReferenceA">{{London Gazette|issue=63218|supp=y|page=N2|date=31 December 2020}}</ref>
| unit          = 
| commands      = [First Sea Lord](/source/First_Sea_Lord_and_Chief_of_the_Naval_Staff)<br/>[Chief of Joint Operations](/source/Permanent_Joint_Headquarters)<br/>[Fleet Commander](/source/Fleet_Commander)<br/>{{HMS|Illustrious|R06|6}}<br/>{{HMS|Lancaster|F229|6}}<br/>{{HMS|Iron Duke|F234|6}}<br/>[HMS ''Sandown''](/source/EML_Admiral_Cowan_(M313))
| battles       = [Kosovo War](/source/Kosovo_War)<br/>[Iraq War](/source/Iraq_War)
| awards        = [Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath](/source/Knight_Commander_of_the_Order_of_the_Bath)<br/>[Commander of the Order of the British Empire](/source/Commander_of_the_Order_of_the_British_Empire)<br/>[Bronze Star Medal](/source/Bronze_Star_Medal) (United States)
| alma_mater    = [Royal Holloway, University of London](/source/Royal_Holloway%2C_University_of_London)<br/>[Britannia Royal Naval College](/source/Britannia_Royal_Naval_College)
}}
[Admiral](/source/Admiral_(Royal_Navy)) '''Sir Benjamin John Key''', {{postnominals|country=GBR|size=100|sep=,|KCB|CBE}} (born 7 November 1965) is a former [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy) officer, who served as [First Sea Lord](/source/First_Sea_Lord) from November 2021 to May 2025.<ref name=sealord>{{cite web |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2021/november/08/20211108-1sl-supersession |title=Royal Navy welcomes new First Sea Lord |date=8 November 2021 |website=[Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy)}}</ref> On 2 July 2025, the Ministry of Defence announced that Key's service and commission had been terminated following an investigation into allegations of inappropriate behaviour, which found him to have "fallen far short of the values and standards expected of service personnel".<ref name=Yahoo-sacked/>

Key had commanded HM Ships [''Sandown''](/source/EML_Admiral_Cowan_(M313)), {{HMS|Iron Duke|F234|2}}, {{HMS|Lancaster|F229|2}}, and {{HMS|Illustrious|R06|2}}, and deployed on operations to [Kosovo](/source/Kosovo_War) and [Iraq](/source/Iraq_War). He was appointed [Fleet Commander](/source/Fleet_Commander) in 2016, and the [Chief of Joint Operations](/source/Permanent_Joint_Headquarters) in 2019.

==Early life and education==
Key was born on 7 November 1965.<ref name="WW 23"/> He was educated at [Bromsgrove School](/source/Bromsgrove_School), a [private school](/source/Private_schools_in_the_United_Kingdom) in [Bromsgrove](/source/Bromsgrove), Worcestershire.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://bromsgrovestandard.co.uk/news/former-bromsgrove-school-student-appointed-chief-of-naval-staff/ |title=Former Bromsgrove School student appointed Chief of Naval Staff |date=21 October 2021 |newspaper=Bromsgrove Standard |access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk/schoolnews/foundation-lecture/1023.aspx|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250119035136/https://www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk/schoolnews/foundation-lecture/1023.aspx|archive-date=19 January 2025|title=Foundation Lecture |publisher=Bromsgrove School |date=8 March 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://windsorleadership.org.uk/vice-admiral-ben-key-biography|title=Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key Biography|publisher=Windsor Leadership| access-date=18 November 2021}}</ref> He studied [physics](/source/physics) at [Royal Holloway, University of London](/source/Royal_Holloway%2C_University_of_London),<ref name="bio" /> graduating with a [Bachelor of Science](/source/Bachelor_of_Science) (BSc) degree in 1988.<ref name="WW 23">{{Who's Who | author=<!--not stated-->| year=2023| title =Key, Adm. Sir Benjamin John, (Sir Ben)| id=U281219| doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.U281219}}</ref>

==Naval career==
Key joined the [Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy) in 1984.<ref name=bio>{{cite web |url=http://www.feltmakers.co.uk/we-welcome-to-the-livery-in-2010 |title=Commodore Ben Key RN |date=23 April 2010 |publisher=Worshipful Company of Feltmakers of London |accessdate=10 February 2016}}</ref> After serving as an observer in the [Fleet Air Arm](/source/Fleet_Air_Arm), he saw action as a Principal Warfare Officer in the [frigate](/source/frigate) {{HMS|Somerset|F82|6}} during the [Kosovo War](/source/Kosovo_War) in 1999.<ref name=bio/> After briefly serving as commanding officer of the [minehunter](/source/minehunter) [HMS ''Sandown''](/source/EML_Admiral_Cowan_(M313)), he became commanding officer of the frigate {{HMS|Iron Duke|F234|6}} in 2000 and {{HMS|Lancaster|F229|6}} in 2001.<ref name=bio/> He went on to be a staff officer in the Directorate of Naval Resources and Plans at the [Ministry of Defence](/source/Ministry_of_Defence_(United_Kingdom)) in 2003, then Advisor to the Director Joint Staff in the Iraqi Joint Headquarters in 2006. Following promotion to [captain](/source/Captain_(Royal_Navy)) on 30 June 2006,<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=58034|supp=y|page=9059|date=4 July 2006}}</ref> he was appointed a staff officer at the [Permanent Joint Headquarters](/source/Permanent_Joint_Headquarters) in Northwood in 2007.<ref name=bio/> After that he became commanding officer of the [aircraft carrier](/source/aircraft_carrier) {{HMS|Illustrious|R06|6}} in February 2009, Commodore Joint Air Maritime Organisation in February 2010 and Director of Naval Plans and Resources at the Ministry of Defence in May 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Senior%20Royal%20Navy%20Appointments%201865-.pdf |title=Senior Royal Navy Appointments |access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref>

Key was appointed Principal Staff Officer to the [Chief of the Defence Staff](/source/Chief_of_the_Defence_Staff_(United_Kingdom)) in November 2011,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Ministry%20of%20Defence%20Senior%20Posts.pdf |title=Senior Tri-Service and Ministry of Defence Appointments |access-date=10 February 2016 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151117033054/http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Ministry%20of%20Defence%20Senior%20Posts.pdf |archive-date=17 November 2015}}</ref> and [Flag Officer Sea Training](/source/Flag_Officer_Sea_Training_(United_Kingdom)) in April 2013.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.torquayheraldexpress.co.uk/Rear-Admiral-visits-BRNC-Dartmouth/story-19044830-detail/story.html |title=Rear Admiral visits BRNC at Dartmouth |work=Torquay Herald Express |date=21 May 2013 |accessdate=10 February 2016}}{{Dead link|date=October 2019 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> He was appointed [Fleet Commander](/source/Fleet_Commander) and promoted to the rank of [vice admiral](/source/Vice_admiral_(Royal_Navy)) on 10 February 2016.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2016/february/10/160210-new-fleet-commander |title=Royal Navy appoints new Fleet Commander |website=[Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy) |date=10 February 2016 |access-date=10 February 2016}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette|issue=61513|supp=y|page=4342|date=1 March 2016}}</ref> He became [Chief of Joint Operations](/source/Permanent_Joint_Headquarters) in April 2019.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Admirals-Current.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250630191439/http://www.gulabin.com/armynavy/pdf/Admirals-Current.pdf|archive-date=30 June 2025|title=Admirals: July 2023}}</ref>
thumb|left|Key (centre) with other defence chiefs during the Coronation Procession of Charles III, May 2023

Key received the United States [Bronze Star Medal](/source/Bronze_Star_Medal) in 2006 and was appointed [Commander of the Order of the British Empire](/source/Commander_of_the_Order_of_the_British_Empire) (CBE) in the [2016 New Year Honours](/source/2016_New_Year_Honours),<ref name=":0">{{London Gazette|issue=61450|supp=y|page=N5|date=30 December 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/~/media/royal%20navy%20responsive/documents/profiles/key%20ben.pdf |title=Vice Admiral B J Key CBE, Royal Navy Fleet Commander |website=[Royal Navy](/source/Royal_Navy) |access-date=15 February 2016}}</ref> and [Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath](/source/Knight_Commander_of_the_Order_of_the_Bath) (KCB) in the [2021 New Year Honours](/source/2021_New_Year_Honours).<ref name="ReferenceA">{{London Gazette|issue=63218|supp=y|page=N2|date=31 December 2020}}</ref> He was awarded the [Honorary degree](/source/Honorary_degree) of [Doctor of Science](/source/Doctor_of_Science) (D.Sc) by [Royal Holloway, University of London](/source/Royal_Holloway%2C_University_of_London) on 20 December 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vice Admiral Ben Key CBE awarded Honorary Doctorate from Royal Holloway |url=https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/about-us/news/vice-admiral-ben-key-cbe-awarded-honorary-doctorate-from-royal-holloway/ |website=[Royal Holloway, University of London](/source/Royal_Holloway%2C_University_of_London) |access-date=20 October 2021}}</ref>

Key led [Operation Pitting](/source/Operation_Pitting), the UK's evacuation efforts in Afghanistan following the [2021 Taliban offensive](/source/2021_Taliban_offensive), in August 2021 and,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Nicholls |first1=Dominic |title=Taliban are in charge of security in Kabul, admits man in charge of British evacuation |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2021/08/17/vice-admiral-ben-key-taliban-now-charge-security-kabul/ |access-date=20 August 2021 |work=[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph) |date=17 August 2021}}</ref> on 15 October, it was announced that Key was to be the next [First Sea Lord](/source/First_Sea_Lord).<ref>{{cite web |title=Vice Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE has been appointed to First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/vice-admiral-sir-ben-key-kcb-cbe-has-been-appointed-to-first-sea-lord-and-chief-of-the-naval-staff |website=GOV.UK |language=en |date=15 October 2021}}</ref><ref name="2021-10-16_DN">{{cite web |url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/10/15/vice-adm-ben-key-gets-nod-as-britains-new-first-sea-lord/ |title=Vice Adm. Ben Key gets nod as Britain's new First Sea Lord |first=Andrew |last=Chuter |newspaper=Defense News |date=16 October 2021 |access-date=18 October 2021}}</ref> He assumed the post from Admiral [Sir Tony Radakin](/source/Tony_Radakin) on 8 November 2021.<ref name=sealord/>

On 9 May 2025, it was reported that Key had attempted to resign, citing personal reasons, but that his resignation had been rejected and that he was under investigation for engaging in a personal relationship with a subordinate.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2025/05/09/royal-navy-chief-ben-key-affair-female-subordinate/ |title=Head of Royal Navy steps down 'over affair with female subordinate' |date=9 May 2025 |work=[The Daily Telegraph](/source/The_Daily_Telegraph) |access-date=9 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=https://news.sky.com/story/head-of-royal-navy-steps-back-after-investigation-into-alleged-relationship-with-female-colleague-13364782 |title=Head of Royal Navy steps back after investigation into alleged relationship with female colleague |last=Haynes |first=Deborah |date=9 May 2025 |work=[Sky News](/source/Sky_News) |access-date=10 May 2025 |quote=}}</ref>

On 2 July 2025, the Ministry of Defence announced that, following the investigation, Key's Royal Navy service and commission had been terminated.<ref name=Yahoo-sacked>{{cite news|date=2 July 2025 |url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/former-navy-head-sacked-falling-162345467.html|title=Former Navy head sacked after 'falling short of values and standards expected'|first=David |last=Hughes|work=Yahoo News}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|title=Former head of Royal Navy sacked |url=https://news.sky.com/story/former-head-of-royal-navy-sacked-13391552 |date=2025-07-02 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref> The BBC reported that Key had violated the military's code of conduct by having an affair with a more junior female officer.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Rossiter |first1=Emma |last2=Beale |first2=Jonathan |title=Former head of Royal Navy sacked over behaviour |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g8zz840ydo |access-date=9 July 2025 |work=BBC News |date=2 July 2025}}</ref>

==Personal life==
In 1994, Key married Elly.<ref name="WW 23" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Why we support - Chief Of Joint Operations Vice Admiral Ben Key & Mrs Elly Key |url=https://www.rnrmc.org.uk/why-we-support-vice-admiral-ben-key-mrs-elly-key |website=www.rnrmc.org.uk |publisher=[The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity](/source/The_Royal_Navy_and_Royal_Marines_Charity) |access-date=30 October 2023 |date=2 December 2018}}</ref> They have two sons and one daughter.<ref name="WW 23" />

== Honours and decorations ==
Source:<ref>{{cite web |title=United Kingdom's First Sea Lord visits SHAPE with a focus on Maritime Operations |url=https://shape.nato.int/news-archive/2024/united-kingdoms-first-sea-lord-visits-shape |date=23 February 2024}}</ref><div class="center">

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</div>
{| class="wikitable"
|Ribbon
|Description
|Notes
|-
|40x40px
|[Order of the Bath](/source/Knight_Commander_of_the_Order_of_the_Bath)
|Appointed Knight Commander in 2021<ref name="ReferenceA" />
|-
|40x40px
|[Order of the British Empire](/source/Order_of_the_British_Empire)
|Appointed Commander in 2016<ref name=":0" />
|-
|40x40px
|[NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia](/source/NATO_Medal)
|
|-
|40x40px
|[NATO Medal for Kosovo](/source/NATO_Medal)
|1999
|-
|40x40px
|[Iraq Medal](/source/Iraq_Medal_(United_Kingdom))
|2006
|-
|40x40px
|[Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Medal](/source/Queen_Elizabeth_II_Golden_Jubilee_Medal)
|6 February 2002
|-
|40x40px
|[Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal](/source/Queen_Elizabeth_II_Diamond_Jubilee_Medal)
|6 February 2012
|-
|40x40px
|[Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal](/source/Queen_Elizabeth_II_Platinum_Jubilee_Medal)
|6 February 2022
|-
|40x40px
|[King Charles III Coronation Medal](/source/King_Charles_III_Coronation_Medal)
|6 May 2023
|-
|40x40px
|[Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (1848)](/source/Naval_Long_Service_and_Good_Conduct_Medal_(1848))
|With 2 Bars
|-
|40x40px
|[Bronze Star Medal](/source/Bronze_Star_Medal)
|Awarded in 2006
|-
|}

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}
{{s-bef|before=[Clive Johnstone](/source/Clive_Johnstone)}}
{{s-ttl|title=[Flag Officer Sea Training](/source/Flag_Officer_Sea_Training_(United_Kingdom))|years=2013–2015}}
{{s-aft|after=[John Clink](/source/John_Clink)}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[Sir Philip Jones](/source/Philip_Jones_(Royal_Navy_officer))}}
{{s-ttl|title=[Fleet Commander and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff](/source/Fleet_Commander)|years=2016–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[Jerry Kyd](/source/Jerry_Kyd)}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[Tim Fraser](/source/Tim_Fraser)}}
{{s-ttl|title={{nowrap|[Chief of Joint Operations](/source/Chief_of_Joint_Operations_(United_Kingdom))}}|years=2019–2021}}
{{s-aft|after=[Charles Stickland](/source/Charles_Stickland)}}
|-
{{s-bef|before=[Sir Tony Radakin](/source/Tony_Radakin)}}
{{s-ttl|title=[First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff](/source/First_Sea_Lord)|years=2021–2025}}
{{s-aft|after=[Sir Gwyn Jenkins](/source/Gwyn_Jenkins)}}
{{s-end}}
{{First Sea Lord}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Key, Ben}}
Category:1965 births
Category:Living people
Category:Royal Navy admirals
Category:First Sea Lords and Chiefs of the Naval Staff
Category:People educated at Bromsgrove School
Category:Alumni of Royal Holloway, University of London
Category:Foreign recipients of United States military awards and decorations
Category:Commanders of the Order of the British Empire
Category:Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath
Category:Military personnel of the Kosovo War
Category:Royal Navy personnel of the Iraq War
Category:Military personnel from Warwickshire
Category:People from Rugby, Warwickshire
Category:20th-century Royal Navy personnel

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Ben Key](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Key) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ben_Key?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.