RUSI's Trustees and staff record with great sadness and profound regret the death of Sir Alex Younger.
Sir Alex joined the Institute as a Trustee in December 2020, less than three months after relinquishing his position as the longest-serving Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service in half a century.
In the years that followed, Sir Alex remained an authoritative voice on national security and international affairs. As a Trustee, he brought the weight of decades of service on the front line of intelligence to the work of the world's oldest independent think tank on defence and security.
His Trustee colleagues benefited hugely from his advice and expertise in inspiring RUSI’s future research activities and from his constant enthusiasm for the early adoption and harnessing of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence. His contributions to the Institute reflected a conviction that ran through his career: that Britain’s safety depended on clear-eyed professional analysis, strong alliances, and an unwavering readiness to adapt to a changing world.
In the months to come, the Trustees will examine further ways to mark his memory and achievements.
Wellington
The Duke of Wellington OBE DL
RUSI Chairman
London, 3 June 2026