Sir Nicholas Carter | |
|---|---|
&sq=Qlik&lang=&file=File:Chief_of_the_General_Staff_General_Sir_Nicholas_Carter_KCB_CBE_DSO_ADC_Gen_(cropped).jpg) Official portrait | |
| Born | 11 February 1959 Nairobi, British Kenya |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service | British Army |
| Years of service | 1978–2021 |
| Rank | General |
| Service number | 505216 |
| Commands | Chief of the Defence Staff (2018–21) Chief of the General Staff (2014–18) Commander Land Forces (2013–14) 6th Division (2009–11) 20th Armoured Brigade (2004–05) 2nd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets (1998–00) |
| Battles / wars | Bosnian War Kosovo War Iraq War War in Afghanistan |
| Awards | Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Distinguished Service Order Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service (2) Commander of the Legion of Merit (United States) NATO Meritorious Service Medal (NATO) |
| Alma mater | Winchester College Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst |
| Spouse(s) |
Louise Anne Ewart (m. 1984) |
| Children | 4 |
General Sir Nicholas Patrick Carter, GCB, CBE, DSO (born 11 February 1959) is a retired senior British Army officer who served as Chief of the Defence Staff from June 2018 to November 2021.
Carter was commissioned into the British Army in 1978. He served as commanding officer of 2nd Battalion, Royal Green Jackets in the late 1990s, deploying with his unit to Bosnia in 1998 and Kosovo in 1999. After service in Afghanistan, he took command of the 20th Armoured Brigade in 2004 and commanded British forces in Basra. He was subsequently appointed General Officer Commanding 6th Division, which was deployed to Afghanistan with Carter as Commander ISAF Regional Command South, before he became Director-General Land Warfare. After that he became Deputy Commander Land Forces and was the main architect of the Army 2020 concept.
Following a tour as Deputy Commander, International Security Assistance Force, Carter assumed the position of Commander Land Forces in November 2013. In September 2014, he became head of the British Army as Chief of the General Staff, succeeding General Sir Peter Wall. In June 2018 he succeeded Air Chief Marshal Sir Stuart Peach as Chief of the Defence Staff, being himself succeeded by Admiral Sir Tony Radakin in November 2021.