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New Fleet Commander takes over Royal Navy role
5 September 2025
The Royal Navy has today welcomed a new Fleet Commander following a formal handover on HMS Victory in Portsmouth.
The Royal Navy has today welcomed a new Fleet Commander following a formal handover on HMS Victory in Portsmouth.
Vice Admiral Andrew Burns hands over the reins to Vice Admiral Steve Moorhouse, following four years in the role.
A ceremony took place on Admiral Lord Nelson’s historic ship HMS Victory to formally transfer responsibility as the Royal Navy’s most senior operational commander.
As is tradition, VAdm Burns was clapped by sailors and civil servants out of Navy Command Headquarters, at HMS Excellent in Portsmouth, earlier in the week.
He gave a short speech to those gathered, thanking them for their efforts and hard work and reminiscing of his time in the Royal Navy.
I am immensely proud to lead such a dedicated and professional force, whose service and commitment are felt around the world
VAdm Moorhouse assumes the role of Fleet Commander with a strong operational background – having commanded the UK Carrier Strike Group on its maiden global operation in 2021.
He has also commanded various warships including Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster, the Landing Platform Helicopter HMS Ocean and both Queen Elizabeth-class aircraft carriers.
Other roles include Formation Command with CTF150, a multi-national task force charged with delivering security across the western Indian Ocean.
Upon becoming Fleet Commander, VAdm Moorhouse said: “It is a huge honour to be appointed as the next Fleet Commander, taking responsibility for the operational effectiveness and efficiency of the Royal Navy, and I am immensely proud to lead such a dedicated and professional force, whose service and commitment are felt around the world.
“With the Government’s commitment to invest in defence, the next few years offer incredible opportunity to continue the transformation of the Fleet, from seabed to space, and with inspiring leadership, agility and innovation my focus will be to ensure we are ready to meet the challenges of a more contested world.”