STORY
Adrian Bird has been appointed as the new head of the Joint Intelligence Organisation and Chair of the Joint Intelligence Committee. The Cabinet Secretary made the appointment with the approval of the Prime Minister, placing Bird in one of the most senior intelligence assessment roles in Government.
The Joint Intelligence Organisation supports ministers and senior officials by coordinating intelligence assessment across Government. The Joint Intelligence Committee provides strategic assessments on national security, foreign
policy and other major international issues.
The appointment comes at a period of heightened security challenges, including the war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, cyber threats and the use of new technologies by hostile states. The role is central to how intelligence is assessed and presented to ministers when making national security decisions.