Educated at
Portsmouth Grammar School,
Sherborne School and
Durham University (
Hatfield College) (1989–1992), Burns joined the
Royal Navy in 1992. He also holds an
MA degree in Defence Studies from
King's College London. He was given command of the
minesweeper in 2000 and, after being deployed to
Iraq as a Director for Communications and Information Systems in 2004, he became commanding officer of the
frigate in 2009 and then of the
assault ship in 2012. In February 2019, Burns was promoted to
rear admiral, and appointed
Commander United Kingdom Maritime Forces and Rear Admiral Surface Ships. He was appointed
Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff (Capability) in January 2020 and was also given the title of Director Develop as of September 2020. He was promoted to
vice admiral and took up the post of
Fleet Commander in September 2021. He stepped down as Fleet Commander in September 2025, and retired from the navy on 30 January 2026. ==Honours==