Published 09 September 2022

A message from Andy Start, DE&S CEO, following the death of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II

On behalf of the Defence Equipment and Support organisation, whether members of his loyal Armed Forces or His Majesty’s Civil Service, I offer our sincerest condolences, and deepest sympathy at the sad death of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Throughout her long and extraordinary life, Queen Elizabeth II’s sense of duty and service has been an example to us all, and it has been an honour to serve her.

Many of our people have personal memories of the late Queen, including when she opened our headquarters in Bristol in 1996 and officially named the HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carrier in 2014.

We hope that, as the world comes together to mark and to mourn, the evident respect and love felt for his late mother by people from all nations will prove a source of strength to His Majesty and to his family in the days to come.  

We at Defence Equipment and Support will continue to equip and support His Majesty’s Armed Forces with professionalism and pride.