Major General Paul Maynard was appointed Director Strategy and Policy - ACNS in April 2025.

Paul commissioned into the Royal Marines in 1999 and began his career as a Troop Commander in 40 Commando. He has since led Commandos on operations at every level and in a range of roles. In 2003, as an Anti-Armour Troop Commander in 42 Commando, he fought in the Iraq War known as Operation TELIC. Then, in 2006, he was deployed to Afghanistan on Operation HERRICK 5, working with the RAF's Nimrod Force to provide intelligence and targeting for ground forces in Helmand Province. A return to Iraq followed in 2008, this time as the Plans Officer in the UK-led Multinational Division in Basra. In this capacity he was the lead planner for the UK's redeployment from Iraq in 2009. In 2011 he returned to Afghanistan's Helmand Province, this time as a Company Commander in 45 Commando Group on Operation HERRICK 14; his leadership during this tour was recognised by a Joint Commander's Commendation. As Chief of Staff for 3 Commando Brigade from 2015 he coordinated multiple global operations before then returning to 40 Commando in March 2017 as Commanding Officer. In September that year he led a Commando Task Force during Operation RUMAN, the UK's crisis response in the wake of widespread and catastrophic hurricane damage across the Caribbean. In recognition of his operational contribution to UK Defence during this period he was appointed OBE. Most recently, from 2022-23, he led efforts by the Royal Navy to support Ukrainian Maritime Forces in their War against the Russian Federation.

Beyond operations Paul has completed many maritime and land deployments across the globe, including the Arctic, Inda-Pacific, Middle East, Central and North America and Mediterranean regions. Between 2004-05 he was appointed Deputy British Representative and Executive Officer for UK Forces in the British Indian Ocean Territory and, from 2008-10, the Plans Officer for Commander UK Amphibious Forces. More senior staff appointments have included Military Assistant to the Chief of Joint Operations (2011-13), a Joint role in the Security Policy and Operations Directorate at the UK Ministry of Defence (2014-15), Director of the Army's Intermediate Command and Staff Course at the Joint Services Command and Staff College (2019- 20), and two demanding but fascinating years as Military Assistant to the First Sea Lord (2020-21). On promotion to Brigadier in 2022 he was appointed Deputy Commander UK Strike Force, the Royal Navy's Very High Readiness Maritime Task Force, and Assistant Commandant General Royal Marines. In July 2023 he took the role of Chief of Joint Force Operations, commanding the Joint Force Headquarters the UK’s Crisis Response HQ.

A graduate of the UK Joint Services' Intermediate, Advanced and Higher Command and Staff Courses, his academic qualifications include a bachelor's degree in International Politics (University of Wales, Aberystwyth) and a master's degree in Defence Studies (Kings College, London). He is also a graduate of the US Combined Forces Maritime Component Commanders Course and a member of the Royal College of Defence Studies' National Security Community.

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