The Council on Geostrategy, in partnership with King’s College London was delighted to host the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference 2023. The conference was held at the magnificent Lancaster House on Tuesday 16th May and Wednesday 17th May 2023.
First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference 2023
Tuesday 16th May – Wednesday 17th May 2023
Lancaster House
Sir Henry Leach Lecture | Keynote Speech
The Rt. Hon. James Cartlidge MP, Minister for Defence Procurement
You can read the speech here
Keynote speech
The Rt. Hon. Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, Minister for the Indo-Pacific
You can read the speech here
‘Mobilising national power in a competitive age’ | Panel 1
Jason Wrigley, Monica Kohli, Prof. Andrew Lambert and Vice Admiral René Tas
Moderated by V. Adm. (rtd.) Sir Clive Johnstone
‘How connected are the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific theatres?’ | In-conversation session
The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE ADC, Admiral Pierre Vandier and Admiral Michael M. Gilday
Moderated by Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė
‘Competing at sea: Naval power and active deterrence’ | Panel 2
Nicolas Mazzucchi, Dr Philip Shetler-Jones, Rear Admiral Ewa Skoog Haslum and Rear Admiral Edward Ahlgren OBE
Moderated by Prof. Alessio Patalano
‘Aligning power: Leading by design’ | Panel 3
Ian Bowers, Major General Jim Morris, Stephen Lillie CMG and The Second Sea Lord Vice Admiral Martin Connell
Moderated by Emma Salisbury
Official Black Tie Dinner at Lancaster House
Sir Robin Knox-Johnston
First Sea Lord’s Essay Competition 2023 | Award’s Ceremony
Cdr. Chris O’Connor (Gold), Cdt. Joe Reilly (Silver) and Lt. Cdr. (rtd.) Tim Dickens VR (Bronze)
Awards were presented by Capt. Kevin Rowlands and the First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key
Keynote speech
The First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Ben Key KCB CBE ADC
You can read the speech here
‘Maintaining a competitive edge: Operationalising technology in maritime warfare’ | Panel 4
Julian Pawlak, Julie Marionneau, Dr Richard Drake, Rear Admiral Rune Andersen and Rear Admiral James Parkin CBE
Moderated by Shashank Joshi
‘Steel and statecraft in a maritime century’ | Panel 5
Abi Clayton, Alina Frolova, Prof. Jamie Gaskarth and Mike Knott
Moderated by James Rogers
Future Maritime Leaders’ Laboratory
King’s College London
Led by the Centre for Grand Strategy
XV Patrick Blackett
HMS President
Visit and tour opportunity for conference attendees
We would like to sincerely thank the event sponsors for their important contribution in enabling this high-level event and discussions which enable the Royal Navy and Navies of our allies and partners to uphold their competitive edge.
Find more information on the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference 2023 here.