| Post: | Office of the Chief of Materiel (Fleet) |
| Insignia: | Naval Ensign of the United Kingdom.svg |
| Insigniasize: | 150px |
| Insigniacaption: | Ensign of the Royal Navy |
| Incumbent: | Vice Admiral Sir Christopher Gardner |
| Incumbentsince: | 2019 |
| Department: | Department of the Admiralty, Ministry of Defence |
| Member Of: | Board of Admiralty, Admiralty Board, Navy Board |
| Reports To: | First Sea Lord |
| Appointer: | Prime Minister |
| Appointer Qualified: | Subject to formal approval by the King-in-Council |
| Termlength: | Not fixed (typically 1–3 years) |
| Inaugural: | Captain George Barrington |
| Formation: | 1830–1964, 1965–current |
The Fourth Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Supplies originally known as the Fourth Naval Lord was formerly one of the Naval Lords and members of the Board of Admiralty which controlled the Royal Navy of the United Kingdom the post is currently known as Chief of Materiel (Fleet). As of 2017, it is also known as Chief of Fleet Support, Chief of Materiel (Ships) then as of 2020, Director General Ships.
The origin of this appointment dates back to 1830 when the post of Fourth Naval Lord was created until 1868 when it was re-styled Junior Naval Lord; this title remained until 1904 when it was again re-styled Fourth Sea Lord until 1964 when the Admiralty Department abolished this post.[1] The modern equivalent is titled the "Naval Member for Logistics", who is responsible for the logistical support and the supply chain of the navy.[2] Its functions along with two other departments of state were merged within a new Ministry of Defence. Following the merger a new post of Chief of Fleet Support was created, assuming the same responsibilities and duties until 2007 when it was renamed Chief of Materiel (Fleet). In around 2017, it was titled as Chief of Materiel (Ships) . In around August 2020, it was renamed as Director General Ships.
In 1805, for the first time, specific functions were assigned to each of the 'Naval' Lords, who were described as 'Professional' Lords, leaving to the 'Civil' Lords the routine business of signing documents.[3]
The Fourth Sea Lord as Chief of Naval Supplies was responsible for supplying the navy, and his responsibilities included transport, victualling (supplying food), and medical services.[4]
Fourth Naval Lords include:[3]
Junior Naval Lords include:[5]
Fourth Sea Lords include:[5]
Included:[6]
Chiefs of Fleet Support include:[5]
Chiefs of Materiel (Fleet) include:[5]
Chief of Materiel (Ships) include[7]
At various times included:[9] [10] [11] [12] [13]