Life Peerage

9 May 2003

The Queen has been graciously pleased to signify her intention of conferring a Peerage of the United Kingdom for Life upon Admiral Sir Michael Boyce GCB OBE on his retirement as Chief of the Defence Staff.

Note for Editors

Admiral Sir Michael Boyce attended Britannia Royal Naval College and joined the Royal Navy in 1961. After a number of submarine and surface ship commands, he served as Flag Officer Sea Training from 1991 to 1992, Flag Officer Surface Flotilla from 1992 to 1994; Second Sea Lord, and C-in-C Naval Home Command from 1995 to 1997; C-in-C Fleet and C-in-C Eastern Atlantic Area and Commander Naval Forces North Western Europe from 1997 to 1998. He was appointed First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, and First and Principal Naval ADC to The Queen in 1998 and served as Chief of the Defence Staff and Aide-de-Camp to The Queen from 2001 until his retirement.

This recommendation for a non party-political life peerage was made by the Prime Minister who decided, after consultation with the House of Lords Appointments Commission in 2001, to continue to nominate direct to The Queen, a limited number of holders of very high public office.