Laurence Lee CMG

Biography

Laurence Lee was the Second Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defence (MOD). Laurence joined the MOD in June 2021.

As Second Permanent Secretary his responsibilities included digital transformation across Defence, security and resilience (including cyber security), space policy, science and technology, safety, Defence strategy, net assessment and challenge, trade and economic security, and strategic relationships with industry.

Laurence was previously a Director General at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where he spent most of his career. He has served overseas in Afghanistan and the Caribbean and has led work on international security, including in both operational and policy roles focused on hostile states, counter-terrorism and organised crime. He also has a background in finance, strategic planning and change management.