British Prime Minister Keir Starmer has appointed Stephen Lovegrove as his special representative to the AUKUS security alliance.
Lovegrove, who started in his new role on Tuesday, previously served as the national security adviser. He also served as a defense industrial adviser to the prime minister and permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence.
In 2024, Lovegrove was designated as an AUKUS adviser, tasked with monitoring the U.K.’s core commitments to AUKUS, identifying barriers to progress and recommending ways to explore new opportunities for alliance members. He has already presented his findings to Starmer and will soon share them with representatives from Australia and the United States.
As the prime minister’s AUKUS special representative, Lovegrove will support Defence Secretary John Healey and current National Security Adviser Jonathan Powell.
Healey expressed his support for Lovegrove’s appointment and looks forward to collaborating closely with him, along with U.S. and Australian counterparts, to achieve new heights for the AUKUS alliance. “Sir Stephen is fully committed to ensuring the (United Kingdom) plays a leading role within AUKUS and holds widely respected national security experience,” the defense chief said.
Remarking on his new role, Lovegrove noted that the alliance’s strategic significance has grown since its formation in 2021. “It is a uniquely powerful partnership that will develop and deliver cutting-edge capabilities, help to revitalize Britain’s defense industrial base, and provide sustained employment for thousands of people across the United Kingdom, the United States, and Australia,” he said.