Stephen Lovegrove appointed special representative on AUKUS

The prime minister has appointed Stephen Lovegrove as his special representative on AUKUS.

AUKUS is a security and defence partnership between the UK and Australia and the United States. The partnership will enable Australia to field a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines in the Indo Pacific; strengthen the defence industrial bases of both the UK and the US; and accelerate the development and deployment of cutting-edge technologies by all three countries.

The AUKUS submarine programme is set to generate 7,000 additional British jobs.

In his role, Sir Stephen will support the defence secretary and the national security adviser to drive the AUKUS programme forward.

He previously served as national security adviser at the time of the AUKUS announcement in 2021 and also as the prime minister’s defence industrial adviser, and as the permanent secretary at the Ministry of Defence.

Last year, Sir Stephen was commissioned to conduct a Review of the UK’s progress against its core commitments under AUKUS, identifying barriers to success, and setting out recommendations on how to unlock further areas of opportunity, both nationally and with the US and Australia. These findings were presented to the prime minister and defence secretary earlier this year. The report will be shared with US and Australian partners and a public version released in due course.

Defence Secretary, John Healey said: "AUKUS is a historic partnership which reinforces peace and stability across the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific, and will also provide thousands of highly skilled jobs and investment in communities across the UK.  It shows how defence can be an engine for growth across our three nations while keeping us secure at home, and strong abroad.

"Sir Stephen is fully committed to ensuring the UK plays a leading role within AUKUS and holds widely respected national security experience.  

"I am very grateful to him for taking up this appointment and look forward to working closely with him and our partners in the US and Australia as we take the AUKUS partnership to new heights."

Sir Stephen Lovegrove, said: "When the AUKUS partnership was announced in 2021 it was regarded, rightly, as the most significant capability collaboration since the Mutual Defence Agreement of 1958.  

"Since then, the strategic relevance of AUKUS has only increased. It is a uniquely powerful partnership which will develop and deliver cutting-edge capabilities, help to revitalise Britain’s defence industrial base and provide sustained employment for thousands of people across the UK, US and Australia.

"I am delighted to accept the role as the Prime Minister’s Special Representative on AUKUS and I look forward to starting work immediately to help maximise the potential of this vital partnership."