King's College London

The event celebrated the achievements of 245 military personnel and civil servants graduating from the MA in Defence Studies, MRes in Defence Innovation, MSc in Defence Studies, Postgraduate Certificate in Defence Studies, and Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice in Higher Professional Education programmes.

Family, friends and colleagues gathered in Cormorant Hall to celebrate the occasion. The ceremony was led by Professor Kate Utting, Head of the Defence Studies Department.

Each award was conferred by Lord Simon Stevens, Chair of King’s College Council and Major General Peter Rowell, Chief Executive and Commandant of the Defence Academy.

They were joined on stage by Air Commodore Peter Cracroft CBE, Director of the Joint Services Command & Staff College, Captain Charlie Yemm RN, ACSC Course Director & Director A Division, Colonel Rory Shannon MBE, Director B Division, Group Captain Martin Higgins OBE, Director C Division, Professor Wyn Bowen, Head of the School of Security Studies, Dr Jon Robb-Webb, Senior Lecturer in Defence Studies Education and Dr Simon Moody, Senior Lecturer in Defence Studies.

In addition to the academic achievements, graduate Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Limb OBE was awarded the Dame Vera Laughton-Matthews Prize for excellence in overall performance in the MRes in Defence Studies. Lt Col Limb also delivered the graduate address highlighting  how his studies at King's helped shape his professional journey.

The Defence Studies Department is part of the School of Security Studies at King's College London and delivers professional military and security education in partnership with the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom.