Chief of Defence Force welcomes three new service chiefs

After careful consideration, the Government has appointed three new Service Chiefs to command the Navy, Army and Air Force.

Today’s announcement of the new leadership team has been welcomed by the Chief of Defence Force, Air Marshal Kevin Short.

The appointments announced today by Minister of Defence Ron Mark, are:

• Commodore David Proctor will become the new Chief of Navy, upon promotion to Rear Admiral
• Brigadier John Boswell, DSD, will become the new Chief of Army, upon promotion to Major General
• Air Commodore Andrew Clark will become the new Chief of Air Force, upon promotion to Air Vice-Marshal

Change of Command ceremonies will occur on 7 September for the new Chief of Air Force, 10 September for the new Chief of Army, and the end of November for the new Chief of Navy.

Brigadier Boswell replaces Major General Peter Kelly as Chief of Army, Commodore Proctor replaces Rear Admiral John Martin as Chief of Navy and Air Commodore Clark replaces Air Vice-Marshal Tony Davies.

“This is a major change to the leadership of the New Zealand Defence Force,” Air Marshal Short said. “It follows the change of command of Chief of Defence Force earlier this year, and the announcement of a new Vice Chief of Defence Force, Air Vice-Marshal Davies, recently.

“I want to congratulate all the successful candidates, and those who were interviewed for these very important positions. It reinforced to me the depth of talent in the ranks of the Defence Force.”

Commodore David Proctor: Bio

Commodore Proctor has 32 years of service in the Navy. During this time he has held a variety of roles, particularly in the areas of logistics and supply, earlier in his career as Supply Officer of HMNZS TUI, HMNZS ENDEAVOUR and HMNZS TE MANA, and moving through roles such as Supply Chain Commander and Captain Fleet Support.

Commodore Proctor was also the Senior National Officer/United Nations Chief of Logistics — United Nations Mission in Support of East Timor. More recently he was the Deputy Assistant Chief Capability/Director Capability Portfolio Planning, Commander Logistics (2015 to 2017) and Chief of Defence Strategy and Governance (2017 to February 2018). He has been the Deputy Commander Joint Forces New Zealand since March 2018.

Brigadier John Boswell: Bio

Brigadier Boswell enlisted into the Army in 1984 and has extensive international service. He has deployed on operations with the United Nations in Angola, East Timor and the Middle East and, in April 2010, he deployed to Afghanistan, as the Senior National Officer and Commanding Officer of the New Zealand Provincial Reconstruction Team, Bamyan. Brigadier Boswell was awarded the Distinguished Service Decoration in recognition of his service there.

More recently, Brigadier Boswell was the Head of Strategy Management (Army, from 2010 to 2012), Acting Deputy Chief of Army (March to June 2012), Chief Plans Officer Joint Force Headquarters (2012 to 2014), and Assistant Chief Strategic Commitments and Engagement (2016 to February 2018, following attendance at the National Defence College of India).

Air Commodore Andrew Clark: Bio

Air Commodore Clark joined the RNZAF in 1986 as a navigator and, through his early career, served operationally on Orion aircraft, instructed aircrew in Australia and New Zealand, provided support to the Chief of Air Staff, and had the role of Operations Flight Commander, No 5 Squadron. He was later a Staff Officer, HQJFNZ at Trentham, Project Manager (P-3K2 Orion Introduction Into Service), and Commanding Officer, No 5 Squadron. He served operationally in the Middle East.

In his more recent career, Air Commodore Clark has held a variety of operational and strategic positions, including as Assistant Chief of Air Force — Strategy from 2009 to 2011, Director of Strategic Commitments from 2012 to 2013, Director of Defence Intelligence from 2014 to 2015 and, prior to his current role, as Assistant Chief — Capability from 2016 to 2018.