Zachary Stenning

Major-General Zachary Raymond Stenning, is a senior British Army officer who has been serving as the Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst since August 2022.

Early life and education
From 1985 to 1990, Stenning was educated at Brighton College, an independent school in Brighton. He undertook a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree in War Studies at King's College London, graduating in 1994; he was a member of the first cohort for this degree.

Military career
Stenning was commissioned into the Royal Engineers on 4 September 1995. He was transferred to the Green Howards on 1 August 1996. In December 1997, he was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the former Yugoslavia during the period 21st December 1996 to 20th June 1997". He was promoted to captain on 16 March 1998. In July 2008, he was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Iraq during the period 1st October 2007 to 31st March 2008". In 2012, he saw active service as commanding officer of 3rd Battalion, Yorkshire Regiment in Afghanistan during Operation Herrick. In March 2013, he was advanced to Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) "in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Afghanistan during the period 1 April 2012 to 30 September 2012".

Stenning became chief of staff of 3rd (United Kingdom) Division in October 2013, and was promoted to brigadier on 30 June 2014. He became commander of 1st Armoured Infantry Brigade in September 2016. In 2018, he was awarded the Medal for Long Service and Good Conduct (Military) with 1 Clasp. He was promoted to major general on 29 July 2022, and appointed Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst on 12 August 2022.

On 6 June 2021, Stenning was appointed colonel of the Yorkshire Regiment, an honorary and ceremonial appointment, for a term of five years in succession to Brigadier Andrew Jackson. He was appointed colonel commandant of the Royal Army Veterinary Corps on 1 June 2022, in succession to Lieutenant General Roland Walker. He was made honorary colonel of the University of London Officers' Training Corps on 31 July 2022, in succession to Lieutenant General James Bashall.