First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference 2025

The Council on Geostrategy delighted to organise and host the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference 2025 at Lancaster House. It is the third year in a row the Council on Geostrategy has been chosen to deliver the annual flagship conference of the Royal Navy. Please see below an official announcement from the Royal Navy regarding the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference.

Announcement: Postponement of the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference 2025

We wish to inform all invited delegates and stakeholders that the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference 2025, originally scheduled to take place on 12-13 May 2025, has been postponed.

Admiral Sir Ben Key has had to step back from all his duties for private reasons. Vice Admiral Sir Martin Connell will now assume Full Command of the Royal Navy as Acting First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff with a clear focus on delivering our Operational commitments.

In addition, the anticipated release of the Government’s Strategic Defence Review and the formal announcement of the new First Sea Lord will take precedence in the coming weeks. These developments are likely to have important implications for the Royal Navy and the broader national defence posture.

Rescheduling the conference will ensure that discussions reflect the most current strategic direction and leadership priorities and provide a more meaningful platform for engagement across the maritime and defence communities. Further details, including the revised date and programme, will be communicated in due course.

We apologise for any inconvenience caused, appreciate your understanding and continued support, and look forward to welcoming you at a rescheduled event.

Royal Navy

Viktorija Starych-Samuolienė, our Co-founder (Strategy), introduces the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference 2025.

Prof. Alessio Patalano, our Associate Fellow, outlines the Future Maritime Leaders’ Simulation 2025.

The Venue

The majority of the conference proceedings will take place at Lancaster House. Situated opposite Buckingham Palace, this historic 19th century building, with a rich political and royal history, provides a magnificent setting for the Sea Power Conference.

Side events for the conference will take place at various locations across London.

Learn more about Lancaster House

The Music Room

The Grand Hall

The Long Gallery

Future Maritime Leaders’ Simulation

The Future Maritime Leaders’ Simulation 2025 is designed to foster strategic fluency, develop a shared cultural competency within a wider early career community in national security, and nurture a close-knit network of young professionals within the UK and Europe working on naval and maritime affairs.

Find out more about FMLS 2025

Ship tour

Conference attendees will have the opportunity to partake in a ship tour in the Pool of London. In previous years, guests have visited the RFA Proteus moored at HMS Belfast, a P2000 moored at HMS President, and the XV Patrick Blackett, also moored at HMS President.

RFA Proteus alongside HMS Belfast

P2000

XV Patrick Blackett

First Sea Lord’s Essay Competition

We are delighted to announce that the First Sea Lord’s Essay Competition is open for applications!

The winners will receive a cash prize and an in-person invitation to the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference 2025 – hosted at Lancaster House on 12th and 13th May – and will have a prize presented by the First Sea Lord, at the conference.

To be considered for the prizes, entrants must write an 800-1,000 word essay answering one of the following questions:

What if one of the CRINK – China, Russia, Iran or North Korea – cut data cables to the UK?
What if the British government commits to increase defence spending to 3.5% of GDP by 2030, or 4.0% by 2035?
What if the UK has to defend the North Atlantic alone?

Not only must entrants explain what might happen, but also how Britain should use and/or alter the Royal Navy in response.

Submissions for the First Sea Lord’s Essay Competition are now closed.

Sponsorship

We are looking to engage industry leaders and invite organisations to enquire about sponsorship opportunities.

For all sponsorship enquiries or to purchase a ticket for the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference 2025, please contact the Head of Protocol and Liaison John Dobson ([email protected])

Partner events

As part of the First Sea Lord’s Sea Power Conference 2025, the Council on Geostrategy will be partnering with the London Defence Conference, London International Shipping Week, and the Pacific Future Forum for additional events throughout the year. Please find out more about these below.