Peter Watkins took up the appointment of Director General of the Defence Academy on 6 June 2011.  The Defence Academy is responsible for post-graduate education and the majority of command, staff, leadership, acquisition and technology training for members of HM Forces and Ministry of Defence (MOD) Civil Servants.

Peter Watkins joined the MOD in 1980.  During his career, he has worked closely with all three Services and has held a succession of senior posts in security policy, acquisition and resource management.  Prior to his present appointment, Peter was Director Operational Policy from 2008-11; this post is responsible for setting the policy framework for the planning and conduct of UK military operations overseas and in the UK.  Previously, as Director Typhoon, he was responsible for the overall direction of the programme to deliver and support the UK’s latest combat aircraft.  Before that, from 2004-06, he was Command Secretary of RAF Strike Command (STC) which contained the RAF’s front-line aircraft.  In this role, he was the board member responsible for resources (STC had an annual budget of about £2bn), civilian personnel and corporate services; he played a leading role in preparing the subsequent merger of Strike Command and Personnel & Training Command.  Peter was Private Secretary to the Defence Secretary from 2001-03.

Earlier assignments centred on international armaments cooperation.  Peter was Team Leader of the MOD’s ‘Smart Acquisition’ acquisition change programme (2000-01); Counsellor for Defence Supply & Aerospace in the British Embassy in Germany (1996-2000); and, before that, the Finance & Secretariat Director responsible for the financial and political aspects of the UK’s participation in the Eurofighter (now Typhoon), Tornado and Joint Strike Fighter programmes.  Prior appointments included three years as Private Secretary to the Minister for Defence Procurement (1990-93).

Peter was educated at Peterhouse, Cambridge University, where he studied History and Political Philosophy.  He is an ancien of the NATO Defense College (1993-94); and was a Fellow at the Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University for the 2006-07 academic year.  He is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society and a Liveryman of the Coachmakers’ Company.