About

Vice Admiral Sir David Steel has a distinguished record of public service, having served in the Royal Navy for 36 years before being appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar from 2020–2024. As Governor, he worked in partnership with the elected Government of Gibraltar on matters of Foreign Affairs, Defence and Internal Security. His term in office coincided with a period of significant change for Gibraltar, during which he played an important role in supporting the territory’s leadership and representing Gibraltar on the international stage.

Prior to this appointment, Sir David’s naval career included senior leadership positions such as Naval Base Commander in Portsmouth, for which he was appointed CBE, Naval Secretary and Head of Personnel, and ultimately Second Sea Lord of the Royal Navy on promotion to Vice Admiral in 2012. Earlier in his career, he served as the Logistics Commander in HMS Invincible when for his part, during operations in the Arabian Gulf and off Kosovo, he was recognised in the award of the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service. He also held appointments in the Fleet Headquarters and the Ministry of Defence, including as Secretary and principal adviser to the First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff.

Following his retirement from the Royal Navy in 2015, Sir David served as Chief Executive of the Leeds Castle Foundation and Enterprises Limited until 2020, before taking up his role as Governor of Gibraltar.

Alongside his role as CWEIC Gibraltar Hub Chair, Sir David holds several distinguished positions: Chairman and President of the Union Jack Club, Vice-President of the Sea Cadets, Trustee of the Nuffield Trust for the Forces of the Crown, Ambassador for the Woodland Trust, Freeman of the City of London, and Lay Member of the House of Lords Conduct Committee. He is also a non-executive director of two shipping companies. Sir David retains strong ties with Gibraltar as Patron of the Gibraltar National Theatre Foundation, Patron of Loreto School, Patron of The Rock Sanctuary, and Life President of the Royal Gibraltar Regimental Association.

Sir David was appointed CBE in 2008 and later KBE. He is a Knight of the Order of St John and a Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire.