Sir Thomas Woodcock, KCVO, Garter King of Arms, retired from the College of Arms on 30 June 2021. He graduated from Durham University, and then read for an LLB at Cambridge, before being called to the Bar at the Inner Temple. In 1975 he joined the heraldic practice of Sir Anthony Wagner, Garter King of Arms, and was appointed Rouge Croix Pursuivant in 1978. He became Somerset Herald in 1982. In 1997 he was promoted to Norroy and Ulster King of Arms, and was appointed Garter Principal King of Arms on 1 April 2010 in succession to Sir Peter Gwynn-Jones. He was Librarian of the College of Arms until 2010, overseeing the archive and conservation departments. Sir Thomas was Genealogist of the Order of the Bath and of the Order of St John; and served as Inspector of Regimental Colours, and of RAF Badges, as well as being Advisor on Naval Heraldry to the Royal Navy from 1996 to 2021. He is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and has published widely on heraldic and related subjects; and he was the editor of the Dictionary of British Arms, bringing to publication decades of work by different scholars on sources for medieval heraldry. He was appointed Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order in 1996, being promoted to Commander in 2011 and Knight Commander of the Order in 2021. He has been a Deputy Lieutenant for Lancashire since 2005.

Sir Thomas Woodcock is succeeded by David Vines White, now Garter King of Arms. David White was appointed Rouge Croix Pursuivant in 1995 and was promoted to Somerset Herald in 2004. He was the Registrar of the College of Arms from 2014 to 2021. The London Gazette notice of his appointment can be seen here.