Gavin Saunders

CHIEF OF STAFF

Gavin joined the British Army as an infantry officer in 1989, serving in operational, training and defence diplomacy roles around the world. His specialist areas being: leadership and management of people, projects, programmes and portfolios; and technical capability development, particularly for reconnaissance, surveillance and communications systems as well as for armoured vehicles.

He held numerous command and staff positions, including commanding officer, operations director and latterly Chief of Staff of the UK’s Joint HQ in Afghanistan, and the Army’s lead for operating context delivery.

Following serious injury he was evacuated to Birmingham, spent several years on recovery, including winning an Invictus UK gold medal, before being medically discharged.

Subsequent to medical discharge, and working with Invictus UK, Gavin has worked as a customer liaison officer and solutions architect for Mabway Ltd and the MOD’s Land Warfare Centre, which has included supporting the design and development of the nascent Land Training System.

Gavin holds Masters degrees in strategic leadership and planning and in defence technology management and has been a senior lecturer at military university. He has been the Chief of Staff to the Head of Delegation for Invictus UK for 2 sets of Games (one whilst on recovery) and will be so for the Games in Canada in 2025.