Thomas Copinger-Symes

Lieutenant General Tom Richardson Copinger-Symes, (born 18 November 1969), is a senior British Army officer, who serves as the Deputy Commander, Strategic Command since May 2022. He previously served as General Officer Commanding Force Troops Command and Director of Military Digitisation, Strategic Command.

Early life and education
Of Anglo-Irish descent, Copinger-Symes is the youngest son of Colonel Wilfred Copinger-Symes and his wife Susan née Richardson. Educated at Pangbourne College, Copinger-Symes went up to the University of Warwick, as a cadetship officer.

Military career
Copinger-Symes was commissioned into the Royal Green Jackets in 1992. Under ISAF, he served as Commanding Officer of the 5th Battalion, The Rifles in Afghanistan from November 2011 to April 2012, for which he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire. He became commander of the 1st Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance Brigade in April 2014 and Assistant Chief of Staff (Operations) at Army Headquarters in June 2016. Copinger-Symes was advanced to Commander of the Order of the British Empire in the 2017 Birthday Honours, and became General Officer Commanding Force Troops Command that December. He went on to be Director of Military Digitisation at Joint Forces Command in 2019. In May 2022 he was promoted lieutenant general and was appointed Deputy Commander of Strategic Command.

Honorary appointments
As Assistant Colonel Commandant since 2019 (promoted Colonel Commandant in 2023), Copinger-Symes was present at Windsor Castle in 2020 to offer the salute to the outgoing Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Copinger-Symes serves on the Advisory Board of "Nimbus Ninety", the community for disruptive business and technology leaders, since 2018. A Freeman of the City of London, he is also a Liveryman of the Wax Chandlers' Company.