David Steel (Royal Navy officer)

Vice Admiral David George Steel, (born 6 April 1961) is a senior Royal Navy officer who currently serves as Second Sea Lord.

Early life
Steel was born on 6 April 1961. He was educated at Rossall School, a public school in Lancashire. He attended Durham University, where he read law. He graduated in 1983. He was called to the bar in 1988.

Military career
Steel joined the Royal Navy in 1979. In December 1999, he was commended for valuable service in support of operations in Kosovo and Macedonia earlier that year. In November 2005 he became Commander HM Naval Base Portsmouth and in that capacity was honoured for his "inspirational leadership" during the battle against government cuts in 2007. He was also given the title of Chief Naval Logistics Officer. In November 2008 Steel was made Director of Service Personnel Policy (Pay and Allowances) at the Ministry of Defence and, in April 2010, he was promoted to Rear Admiral and appointed Naval Secretary.

Steel was promoted to Vice Admiral and appointed Second Sea Lord in October 2012.

Honours and decorations