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General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith - Global Security and Geopolitics Expert

17 December 2025

In 1990, Mark Carleton-Smith passed the SAS Selection Course, and served in various conflicts around the world. As Commanding Officer of 22 SAS Regiment, Carleton-Smith commanded the special forces operations in Iraq, Yemen and Afghanistan.

Beyond his practical experience as a soldier, Carleton-Smith also has extensive experience within the British military establishment. He has, among other roles, served as Deputy Director of Policy Planning, giving him deep insight into how the politics of war are shaped.

Continuing to serve in senior roles, he became Director of Special Forces, where he held overall responsibility for the United Kingdom’s three special forces. In 2018, he became Head of the British Army, which included directing the response to Russia’s invasion of Crimea and the continuous military support for Ukraine.

General Sir Mark Carleton-Smith was educated at Durham University and the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. In addition to being appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire, he holds several honours and distinctions, including a knighthood. He currently serves as a Senior Advisor at CT Group.

With markets increasingly exposed to geopolitical uncertainty, resilience and risk management have become ever more important. If you want a sharper focus on this, Mark Carleton-Smith’s perspective will bring clarity at our New Year’s Conference.

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