Ed Davis confirmed as next Black Rod

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 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. 

Commenting on his appointment, Ed Davis has 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, has 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.'

Black Rod’s role

Black Rod has a range of administrative and ceremonial duties and is formally appointed by the Crown. He is a senior officer in the House of Lords, responsible for controlling access to and maintaining order within the House and its precincts.

Black Rod’s role at the State Opening of Parliament is one of the most well-known. He is sent from the Lords chamber to the Commons chamber to summon MPs to hear the King's Speech. Traditionally the door of the Commons is slammed in Black Rod's face to symbolise the Commons’ independence.

He then bangs three times on the door with the rod. The door to the Commons chamber is then opened and all MPs – talking loudly – follow Black Rod back to the Lords to hear the King's Speech.