David Richards Keynote Speaker

Field Marshal David Richards, Baron Richards of Herstmonceux, is the former Chief of the Defence Staff – the professional head of the British Armed Forces.

An ex Army commando and proud Gunner, 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 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 other tasks, sometimes controversially he played a major role in the Libyan campaign in 2011 and in mitigating the downside of 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. He was honoured to be asked by HM The King to carry The Sword of Spiritual Justice at His Coronation in 2023. In June 2025 The King promoted him to Field Marshal ‘in sincere recognition of his most distinguished service and continued support to the United Kingdom, realms and territories.’

On retirement David created and became Executive Chairman of the geo-strategic advisory company Equilibrium Global. Amongst other appointments David is a visiting Professor of Exeter University and an Honorary Fellow of both King’s College London and Cardiff University. Until recently he was a Senior Adviser to the International Institute of Strategic Studies. He has served as an adviser to a number of governments and commercial businesses. He is involved in a number of charities, especially the Royal Commonwealth Ex-Services League of which he is the Grand President. In 2014 he published his memoir ‘Taking Command’. In September 2024 he co-authored The Retreat From Strategy which The Times listed as one of 2024’s Top 5 Books on World Affairs. He appears regularly on the BBC and other major news outlets. He specialises in strategy and leadership.