Introduction

The Army Board is the top single-service management committee of the British Army, and has always been staffed by senior politicians and soldiers.

It is the body established under the Defence Council of the United Kingdom for the administration of the Army of the United Kingdom, and is part of the Ministry of Defence.

Until 1964 it was known as the Army Council.

Refer to Admiralty Board and Air Force Board.

Membership of the Board

The composition is as follows:

• Civilian:
  • Secretary of State for Defence.
  • Minister of State for the Armed Forces.
  • Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology.
  • Under Secretary of State for Defence and Minister for Veterans.
• British Army:
  • Chief of the General Staff.
  • Deputy Chief of the General Staff.
  • Assistant Chief of the General Staff.
  • Commander Home Command.
  • Chief of Materiel (Land).
  • Commander Field Army.
  • Army Sergeant Major.

The Executive Committee of the Army Board (ECAB) dictates the policy required for the Army to function efficiently and meet the aims required by the Defence Council and government. The Chief of the General Staff is the chairman of the Executive Committee of the Army Board.

In 2015, the newly created Army Sergeant Major became the first enlisted soldier to be a member of the Executive Committee of the Army Board.

Former Members of the Board

Included:

• Chief Scientist (Army), (civil).
• Deputy Under Secretary of State (Army), (civil).
• Master-General of the Ordnance, (military).
• Permanent Under Secretary of State (Administration), (civil).
• Vice-Chief of the General Staff, (military).