Colonel James Howard

Commander, Experimentation and Trials Group (ETG) British Army

Colonel Jim Howard commissioned into the 2nd Royal Tank Regiment in 2000. He commanded the Royal Tank Regiment in 2018, promoting to the General Staff in 2022. He has commanded at troop, squadron and battle-group level, in armoured, armoured reconnaissance and protected mobility roles. He has served on a number of operations, including Iraq, Kosovo and Bosnia. His staff roles have focused on capability development (special projects and armour) and the integration of training at unit and formation level. Whilst in command, he was responsible for the planning and delivery of the first Exercise Khanjar Oman, a joint exercise with the Royal Army of Oman, establishing a joint training area in Ras Madrakah. Later, he led the COVID response for areas of SW UK during the outbreak. More recently, he has worked on the Challenger 3, Boxer and Ajax programmes. Passionate about modernisation and the opportunities offered as we pivot to restructure the force, Colonel Howard currently commands the Army’s Experimentation and Trials Group. He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in 2021 for his work on the development of battle-group capabilities whilst in command. He is married, with one son, and lives in Wiltshire.