Lieutenant General Ed Davis appointed as next Black Rod
Tuesday 29 April 2025
His Majesty The King has approved the appointment of Lieutenant Geneal Ed Davis CB CBE as the new Black Rod. He will formally take up the role in July, succeeding Sarah Clarke CVO OBE when she steps down in the summer.
Ed Davis is currently the Strategic Director for Capewell Europe Limited and Gibraltar Chair of the Commonwealth Enterprise and Investment Council.
He served for 35 years in the Naval Service as a Royal Marines Officer. Retiring from the UK Armed Forces in the rank of Lieutenant General, he then transferred to the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office and was appointed by Her Majesty The Queen as the 67th Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar in January 2016. He completed his tenure as Gibraltar’s Governor in February 2020.
The Gentleman or Lady Usher of the Black Rod, formally appointed by the Crown, is a senior officer in the House of Lords. Black Rod is responsible for and participates in the major ceremonial events in the Palace of Westminster, including the State Opening of Parliament. They are also responsible organising access to and maintaining order within the House.
Commenting on his appointment, Ed Davis said:
“I am profoundly humbled and extremely delighted to have been appointed by His Majesty to be the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod for the House of Lords, a role that stretches back 670 years.
“I take on this great honour with a deep sense of responsibility to serve the King and the House of Lords with a steadfast commitment and unwavering determination to uphold the excellence of my predecessors who have held this unique and remarkable position.
“Together with Black Rod’s team, I look forward, with relish and excitement, to rising to the opportunities and challenges ahead by building on Sarah Clarke’s inspiring legacy.”
Lord McFall of Alcluith, the Lord Speaker, said:
“I am delighted to welcome Ed Davis as the next Black Rod. Ed will bring a breadth of experience to this high-profile and demanding role, including 35 years’ service as a Royal Marine and four as Governor of Gibraltar.
“As Black Rod, Ed will help to ensure the heart of our democracy runs smoothly on a daily basis as well as leading a team delivering major ceremonial events, such as the State Opening of Parliament. I look forward to working with him and wish him well in his post.”