PEMBROKESHIRE COUNTY COUNCIL appointed a military man as Authority’s the new Chief Executive on Wednesday (Mar 31).

After the Senior Staff Committee interviewed the final shortlist of candidates for the position, it took the unusual decision to recommend only one of them for the permanent post at the local authority’s head.

The candidate put forward to councillors has a distinguished record of service both at the sharp end of action and in administering a large organisation.

Major General Will Bramble CBE’s appointment was approved by 48 votes for, to one against (Cllr Stephen Joseph).

After attending the Royal Military academy Sandhurst Will Bramble commissioned into the Royal Regiment of Artillery in 1987.

As a Troop Commander, he saw operational service in Belize, Northern Ireland and in Iraq in 1991 during the liberation of Kuwait.

Further service as a junior officer included operations with the UN, 5th Airborne Brigade and the Air Mobile Brigade.

He attended the Joint Staff College 1997-1999, after which he was Chief of Staff of 4th Armoured Brigade in Kosovo and Germany.

After commanding his Battery, he became Military Assistant to the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir Mike Jackson, 2003-2005. This included a period of significant reorganisation of the Army and increased overseas operations.

He commanded the Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Task Force in Kosovo in 2005 and 19th Regiment between 2006-2008, leading them in Afghanistan in 2007.

As a Brigadier, he commanded the Royal Artillery in the 3rd Division and then the current operations division at the UK’s Permanent Joint Headquarters 2012 – 2014, overseeing the day to day running of the UK’s worldwide operations, including the withdrawal of the UK’s 10,000 troops from Southern Afghanistan.

He attended the Royal College of Defence Studies 2014-2015 before being promoted to Major General and deploying again to Kabul 2015-2016 as the senior NATO advisor to the Ministry of Interior and Police.

He was Chief of Staff and Chief Executive Officer of the UK’s NATO Corps between 2016-2019 and is currently the Senior British Officer in Italy and Deputy Commander of the NATO Corps in Italy.

Having represented the Army and UK Armed Forces at Rugby, he was Chairman of the Army Rugby Union 2014-2019.

He is married to Sophie and they have three children.

He is passionate about the outdoors, sustainability, the sea and sailing, remote islands, and sport. He is also an active artist and conservationist.

In terms of his interests outside work, Major-General Bramble looks a close fit for Pembrokeshire. His organisational experience and background are also impressive.

At an Extraordinary Meeting of the Council, that candidate was presented to the members to face their questions. Key topics raised included identifying the new Chief Executive’s priorities in the role and what they could bring to the County to improve services and drive forward the sort of change the Council must make in the years ahead.

A few councillors expressed disquiet about being presented with only one candidate, however, members of the Senior Staff Committee defended the move, saying where a plainly outstanding candidate was ready, willing, and available, there was little point in potentially wasting another candidate’s time by putting them forward to make up the numbers.

Councillors voted overwhelmingly in favour of Major General Bramble’s appointment by 48 votes to 1. Councillor Stephen Joseph opposed the appointment.

As the Cabinet look to build a resilient team for the years ahead, interim Chief Executive Richard Brown – whose performance in the temporary role has attracted praise for his straight-talking – is likely to have a leading role.

The Council appointed business process advisors earlier this year to assess how it can best deliver key services in a shrinking budget. The Council’s services in Legal, Property, Planning, and Leisure are all being examined, as the Cabinet seek to drive through its transformation and improvement agenda

A keen sailor with a passion for the environment and the outdoors, Mr Bramble is looking forward to making the move to Pembrokeshire.

He said: “I am extremely honoured and excited about joining the team and working for the people and communities of Pembrokeshire.

“I’d like to thank the Council for placing their trust in me to deliver their vision and I’d also like to publically thank and praise Richard Brown who has not only headed up the response to the pandemic but has also stepped up and led the team as Interim Chief Executive during this particularly challenging time.”