Chief of the General Staff - Definition and Overview

Chief of the General Staff (CGS) is the title of the professional head of the British Army since 1964. Prior to this period the title was Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

The title was also used for four years between the demise of the Commander-in-Chief of the Forces in 1904 and the introduction of Chief of the Imperial General Staff in 1908. The post was then held by General Sir Neville Lyttleton.

Chiefs of the General Staff, 1964-present

• General Sir Richard Hull 1964-1965
• General Sir James Cassels 1965-1968
• General Sir Geoffrey Baker 1968-1971
• General Sir Michael Carver 1971-1973
• General Sir Peter Hunt 1973-1976
• General Sir Roland Gibbs 1976-1979
• General Sir Edwin Bramall 1979-1982
• General Sir John Stanier 1982-1985
• Field Marshal Sir Nigel Bagnall 1985-1989
• General Sir John Chapple 1989-1992
• General Sir Peter Inge 1992-1994
• General Sir Charles Guthrie 1994-1997
• General Sir Roger Wheeler 1997-2000
• General Sir Michael Walker 2000-2003
• General Sir Michael Jackson 2003-present