The UK's first ever Armed Forces Commissioner - Former Air
Commodore Polly Miller-Perkins CBE – has been appointed by the
Defence Secretary MP.
The appointment delivers on the government's key manifesto
commitment to give serving personnel and their families an
independent voice to improve service life.
The Armed Forces Commissioner is a new statutory office that is
an independent champion and direct point of contact for personnel
and their families. Polly has unprecedented powers to investigate
welfare issues and raise concerns that impact service life,
including equipment, housing, and unacceptable behaviours. The
office was up and running and Polly was in post on Monday 30
March 2026.
Appointing an Armed Forces Commissioner was a lead defence
manifesto commitment by this Government to renew the nation's
contract with those who serve.
Defence Secretary, MP said:
Our Armed Forces are at the heart of our nation's security. With
demands on defence rising, from the conflict in the Middle East
to growing Russian aggression, we are asking more of our
military, and it is right that we continue to step up our support
for them and their families.
I am proud that we legislated in our first year of government to
create this new Commissioner role, with powers to challenge
Ministers and military leaders and to report directly to
Parliament.
Polly brings deep experience of service life and exceptional
leadership as this country's first ever Armed Forces
Commissioner, she will be the independent champion and direct
point of contact that our Armed Forces and their families
deserve. Our message to the Armed Forces community is clear: this
government is on your side.
Armed Forces Commissioner, Polly Miller-Perkins CBE,
said:
As the first Armed Forces Commissioner, I am deeply honoured to
take on a role dedicated to championing the lived experience of
our Service personnel and their families. Throughout my career in
Defence, education and public service, I have been
fortunate to lead teams in some of the most challenging and
rewarding environments across the UK and overseas. Those
experiences have shaped my belief that people are at the heart of
everything we do — and that when we truly listen to them, we
strengthen and improve the systems that support them.
Ultimately, my purpose as Commissioner is simple: to ensure
the lived experience of those who serve is
understood, valued and continuously improved. I will
work tirelessly with Serving communities across all Services to
understand personal experiences and ensure concerns reach the
people who can deliver real and lasting change.
Commissioner Miller-Perkins will be able to visit UK Defence
sites unannounced, commission reports, and will report directly
to Parliament to hold the Government to account. Personnel and
their families will be able to contact the Commissioner about
issues affecting them, with the Commissioner empowered to
investigate these concerns, seek relevant information from the
Ministry of Defence, and make recommendations for improvement.
She will be able to investigate individual welfare concerns,
undertake thematic reviews into systemic issues affecting service
life, and report findings directly to Parliament – strengthening
transparency and public understanding of welfare matters across
Defence.
Former RAF Air Commodore Polly Perkins served for over 30 years
in the Royal Air Force, specialising in logistics and holding
senior leadership roles including Deputy Commander and Chief of
Staff, British Forces Cyprus. She deployed on operations in
Kosovo and Afghanistan and worked with NATO partners to improve
multinational logistics. She holds an MA in Defence Studies from
King's College London and was awarded a CBE for her service.
The decision to appoint a commissioner was inspired and modelled
on the Commissioner for the Armed Forces in Germany. They have
been received positively by German personnel.
The Interim Commissioner will carry out all the functions of the
Commissioner and a permanent appointment is due to be made in the
coming months through an open competition.
The Armed Forces Commissioner role came into law under the Armed
Forces Commissioner Act on 3 September 2025. They will take
responsibility for the existing Service Complaints Ombudsman and
will ensure there is no break in that service.
