General David Richards led operations in East Timor, Sierra Leone, and Afghanistan. He is best known for his command in Sierra Leone in 2000, when he interpreted his orders creatively to achieve much more than was at first thought possible, ensuring the ultimate defeat of the RUF rebels and the avoidance of much bloodshed in the capital, Freetown. He went on to command NATO forces in Afghanistan during the Alliance's expansion of responsibility across the whole country.
Having first commanded the British Army, in 2010 David became Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head of Britain's armed forces and their strategic commander as well as the Prime Minister's military adviser and a member of the National Security Council. In this capacity, amongst many other tasks, he played a major role in the Libyan campaign in 2011 and in devising the UK's final strategy for Afghanistan.
He retired in July 2013. His UK operational awards include a Mention in Despatches, Commander of the British Empire, Distinguished Service Order and Knight Commander of the Bath; the first officer to receive an operational knighthood since World War 2. In 2011 he received the annual Churchillian Award for leadership. He was created Baron Richards of Herstmonceux in February 2014 and now sits in the House of Lords.
Amongst many other appointments David is a visiting Professor of Exeter University and an Honorary Fellow of both King's College London and Cardiff University. He is Senior Adviser to the International Institute of Strategic Studies, an adviser to a number of governments and commercial businesses, Non-Executive Chairman of Arturius International Ltd and Chairman of Equilibrium Gulf.
Leadership and Command
Geo-strategy in an unstable world
Reflections of Operational Command
In late November 2013 Sir David Richards participated in a meeting of Statoil's Strategy Advisory Council, which I chair. Our theme was leadership and the development of leadership talent in the company.
Sir David gave a keynote speech at the opening dinner and took part in a subsequent day of discussion. The speech drew on his exceptionally wide and personal experience of leadership and contained many insights of direct relevance to the company. It was very well received by all those present. His contribution to the discussions was careful, balanced and practical. Again, this will be of direct benefit to the company.
Sir David was a very good companion at the meeting. We are really pleased we invited him as our guest.
Sir John Scarlett KCMG OBE
Chairman, Strategy Advisory Council, Statoil ASA
Comments left by delegates:
Excellent, very interesting
Excellent speaker
Superb insight
Entertaining
Fantastic ending to a great day
Leadership. Leadership. Leadership
Lovely war stories
Charlotte Thatcher Senior Events Co-ordinator, Royal Society of MedicineOn behalf of the Thirty Club, one enormous thank you for your bravura performance at Claridges last week.
Members and their guests have mailed me since then saying 'amazing', 'fantastic', 'wonderful', 'insightful', 'smart'. You gave us all food for thought, honesty, hope and a cause to be even more in admiration of all the Armed Forces tries to do.
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