David Richards

This article is part of the Revolving Door project of Spinwatch.

General Sir David Richards (Lord Richards of Herstmonceux) is the former Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army. He is now a crossbench peer in the House of Lords, having joined on 24 February 2014.

Gen. Sir David Richards at the NATO Summit in Chicago, Ill., May 20, 2012. Photo credit: Ash Carter

Army career

After graduating from university, Richards was commissioned into the Royal Artillery in 1971. He has completed three tours of duty in Northern Ireland, led the British contingent in East Timor in 1999, twice commanded a UK joint task in Sierra Leone in 2000, served as commander of the Nato operation in Afghanistan between May 2006 and February 2007 and commander-in-chief of UK land forces from 2008-2009.

He was appointed Chief of the General Staff in 2009 and Chief of the Defence Staff in 2010.

Foreign government adviser - 'not lobbyist'

Richards set up his own company, Palliser Associates Ltd, who work with many foreign governments, including Bahrain and Jordan. When asked about this role by the Wall Street Journal, Richards said he only advises foreign governments and does not lobby the British government. "I set up Palliser and EQ-G because of my frustration over the lack of strategic understanding, globally, and a belief that I could help governments and companies where appropriate do much better. This is not lobbying or anything remotely like it," he says.

Register of interests

• Chairman and director, Palliser Associates Ltd (provision of strategic advice to governments and companies) (the company is 100 per cent owned by the Member and his wife - see category 4(a); personal clients are: Ondra Partners (whose business is financial advice); Vitol Group (whose business is energy provision); International Institute for Strategic Studies; the King and Government of Bahrain; the King and Government of Jordan; Government of UAE/Royal Ruby Group; Huntsworth plc (international PR and communications company); Apache Asia (traditional merchant bank with offices in Hong Kong and Singapore); Portfolio Consulting and Advisory Company LLC (an affiliate of Cerberus Capital Management LP; USA); income from employment listed in category 2 is also paid to Palliser Associates Ltd)

• Chairman and Director, Equilibrium Global Ltd (provision of geo-strategic advice to governments and companies) (see category 4(a) - no personal clients)

• Non-executive Chairman, Arturius International Ltd (a company started by ex-servicemen and specialising in logistic and transport services)

• Adviser, International Institute for Strategy Studies, 2013 - present

Commissions as a consultant

• Lord Richards requested advice from Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (APPG) about accepting various commissions under his independent consultancies Equilibrium Gulf Ltd and Equilibrium Global Ltd. These include organisations such as The Brenthurst Foundation, Huntsworth, Apache Asia and Dyncorp. ACOBA has approved all as falling under the terms of his consultancy.