- Defence Secretary confirms that His
Majesty The King has approved the appointment.
- The Royal Marine will lead one of the
most senior posts in the UK Armed Forces,
overseeing cyber and specialist forces.
- The appointment comes as Cyber &
Specialist Operations Command delivers on the
Strategic Defence Review.
The Defence Secretary has confirmed that His
Majesty The King has approved the appointment
of the new Commander of Cyber & Specialist Operations
Command (CSOC).
Lieutenant General Sir Rob
Magowan will succeed General
Sir Jim Hockenhull on promotion to
General as Commander CSOC in March 2026.
General Rob will be
responsible for overseeing Defence's cyber and
specialist forces – including cyber experts, deployments and
operations through the Permanent Joint Headquarters, medical
support, intelligence, educators, and UK Defence
attachés.
Lieutenant General Magowan has led a distinguished career
spanning more than 30 years' service. He took up the post of
Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Capability) and Chief of Staff
Navy Command HQ in late 2017 before serving as Deputy Commander
of UK Strategic Command from 2020 to 2022. After this, Lieutenant
General Magowan served as Deputy Chief of the Defence
Staff (Force Development).
The appointment comes as CSOC drives forward delivery on the
Strategic Defence Review – including the UK's move to warfighting
readiness, NATO-first approach and innovation driven by the
lessons from Ukraine. Last week, Military Intelligence Services –
part of CSOC – stood up, and last month saw the first Cyber
Direct Entry graduation, and the standing up of the Defence Cyber
& Electromagnetic Force.
CSOC brings together over 22,000 specialists across 120 sites
around the world.
Defence Secretary MP said:
“I congratulate Lieutenant General Magowan on his deserved
promotion and appointment as Commander CSOC. General Rob's
expertise and proven leadership will help to drive
forward the transformation of our Armed Forces and deliver on the
Strategic Defence Review.
“I am deeply grateful to General Jim for all he has contributed
to defence during his long and distinguished career. The nation
is stronger and our future more secure thanks to his vision and
leadership and I wish him all the best for the future.”
Chief of the Defence Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich
Knighton said:
“I would like to pay tribute to General Sir Jim Hockenhull's
outstanding leadership as Commander Cyber & Specialist
Operations Command, and, before that, as Commander UK Strategic
Command. Jim's contribution to Defence and the Armed Forces has
been immense, and he has played a critical role in reforming
Defence, driving operational delivery to meet the threats of
today, and ensuring we are fit for the challenges of the
future.
“I am delighted that Lieutenant General Sir Rob
Magowan will be taking over as Commander Cyber & Specialist
Operations Command. Rob brings deep expertise to
the role and I look forward to working with him in
leading our Armed Forces, delivering the SDR and helping to
ensure that the nation is secure at home and strong abroad.
Commander CSOC General Sir Jim Hockenhull
said:
“I offer
my congratulations to Lieutenant General Sir
Rob Magowan on his selection to be the Commander of Cyber &
Specialist Operations Command (CSOC). I have known and worked
with Rob for many years. He is one of the most
professional, knowledgeable and dedicated officers I
have ever served with. Possessing enormous experience, Rob also
brings a humanity that makes him an outstanding leader.
“This is an excellent appointment for the remarkable people in
CSOC, for Defence and our network of national and international
partners. I am proud of what we have all achieved together in
Strategic Command and CSOC over the last four years and with this
appointment I am certain of a bright future.”
Lt General Sir Rob Magowan said:
“It is an immense privilege to be selected to lead Cyber &
Specialist Operations Command (CSOC). I feel the burden of
responsibility as I prepare to take over from General Sir Jim
Hockenhull. And so I should - never in my career have
we faced such an acute threat. Our nation depends on us to meet
this challenge.
“I left Strategic Command in 2022, as its deputy, and since then
the organisation has transformed significantly. Through the SDR,
General Jim's visionary leadership has laid the foundations of a
Command that is directly facing the threat.
“I will take my place alongside everyone in CSOC, across UK
Defence and beyond, in our collective endeavour, as we serve to
protect our nation.”
