Colonel James Fern

Assistant Head Ground Manoeuvre Army Futures, British Army HQ

Colonel James Fern serves as Assistant Head Ground Manoeuvre within the Futures Directorate at Army Headquarters, a position he assumed in October 2025. He leads the translation of future force design into close combat and manoeuvre support capability goals, sets the strategic case for requirements, and oversees the development of capabilities throughout their lifecycle. He previously commanded First Fusiliers, an armoured infantry battalion in 20 Armoured Brigade, which included a six-month battlegroup deployment to Estonia as part of NATO's Enhanced Forward Presence. His battalion was also the first in the British Army to receive Boxer and employ the Ajax family of vehicles in the armoured infantry role. His earlier staff appointments include Chief of Staff of 12 Armoured Infantry Brigade, Military Assistant to the Director of Capability, and the Land Desk Officer in Defence Operational Capability