10 Facts About Mark Carleton-Smith

Mark Carleton-Smith previously served as Director Special Forces and commanded 22 Special Air Service Regiment.

Mark Carleton-Smith graduated from Durham University with a lower second class Bachelor of Arts degree in 1985.

Mark Carleton-Smith was commissioned into the Irish Guards on 3 September 1982, before going up to Durham, graduating as BA.

Mark Carleton-Smith was promoted to lieutenant on 6 September 1985, then to captain on 9 April 1989, and then to major on 30 September 1995.

Mark Carleton-Smith became Chief of Staff of 19 Mechanized Brigade in 1999 and served as Chief of Staff HQ Multi-National Brigade Centre during the Kosovo War later that year.

Mark Carleton-Smith was promoted Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his services in Afghanistan on 6 March 2009.

Mark Carleton-Smith became Director of Army Plans and Resources at the Ministry of Defence in January 2009 and, following promotion to major general on 20 February 2012, he became Director Special Forces.

Mark Carleton-Smith served as Regimental Lieutenant Colonel of the Irish Guards from 18 March 2012 for ten years, and as Honorary Colonel of Oxford University Officers Training Corps between February 2017 and June 2022.

Mark Carleton-Smith is a member of Pratt's, the Pilgrims Society and the Chelsea Arts Clubs.

Mark Carleton-Smith was appointed a deputy lieutenant of Herefordshire on 27 September 2023.