A FORMER Bromsgrove School student has been named as the new Chief of Naval Staff and First Sea Lord.

Vice Admiral Ben Key has been appointed the high-ranking role after playing a key part in the evacuation of British nationals and Afghans from Kabul earlier this year.

Mr Key, aged 55, joined the Royal Navy in 1984 as a university cadet and qualified as helicopter aircrew and as a Principal Warfare Officer.

Promoted to Vice Admiral in February 2016, he was the Royal Navy’s Fleet Commander and currently serves as the Chief of Joint Operations.

Sir Ben Key, father of three and husband to wife Elly, said he was honoured and privileged to take on the new role.

“I am excited at the prospect of leading the exceptional sailors and marines of the Royal Navy through the exciting challenges we have ahead,” said Mr Key.

“I look forward to building on the transformation work of my predecessor Adm Sir Tony Radakin and continuing the ambitious modernisation laid out by the government in the IR.

“I have seen close up, as the Chief of Joint Operations, the impact our increasingly globally deployed Navy has had. I am determined we continue to deliver on these opportunities, working with allies and partners around the world in support of the government objectives.”

Defence Secretary Ben Wallace has congratulated Mr Key on the appointment and praised his previous work within the military.

"As the current Chief of Joint Operations, Vice Admiral Sir Ben was one of the key architects of the incredible Op Pitting rescue mission, which weeks ago saw the successful evacuation of over 15,000 British nationals and Afghans from Kabul," said Mr Wallace.

"Under Vice Admiral Key’s leadership, the Royal Navy and Royal Marines, are in excellent hands."