Army Appoints First Female Major General

The British Army has appointed its first female Major General.

Susan Ridge, who currently holds the rank of Brigadier, will be promoted in September to take on the role of Director General Army Legal Services.

She will become the highest ranked female in British Army history and only the second woman to hold a two-star rank.

Elaine West, who serves in the RAF, was appointed Air Vice-Marshal, also a two-star rank, in 2013.

Brigadier Ridge said she is "very honoured and privileged to have been given this opportunity".

She started her career working in the private sector specialising in land and property law, but has spent the last 23 years working in the military.

In her new position she will be responsible for the whole of Army Legal Services, which provides legal support to the Army in barracks, on training and on operations.

General Sir Nick Carter, the Head of the Army, gave a very brief comment on news of the historic announcement saying: "I am very pleased for Sue; she is a talented and committed officer who is widely respected throughout the Army."

Brigadier Ridge is married to a serving Army Officer who has completed tours in the Balkans and Afghanistan.

The Ministry of Defence’s official announcement reveals she "enjoys antiques and travelling with her family, while pursuing her love of obscure fiction".