Our team

Laurence Lee CMG is a seasoned national security and government affairs expert with over 15 years of senior leadership experience across the UK civil service. He currently serves as a Senior Advisor to the CEO of US software company Palantir.

Previously, he served as the UK’s Second Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Defence, where he led strategy, digital transformation, cyber and space policy, and oversaw the development of new scientific and technological advances with strategic value. He served on the Defence Board and the Boards of the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force.

Laurence was previously a Director General at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, where he helped shape UK foreign and security policy in both operational and policy roles, with a focus on international security, hostile states, counter-terrorism and organised crime.

Laurence holds a Masters degree in Philosophy from Leeds University, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales and is a Fellow of the Centre of Science and Policy at the University of Cambridge.