Difference between revisions of "David Richards"
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| − | {{Template:Revolving Door badge}}General Sir '''David Richards''' (Lord Richards of Herstmonceux) is the former [[Chief of the General Staff (UK)| 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.<ref name="parl"> [http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/lords/lord-richards-of-herstmonceux/4317 Lord Richards of Herstmonceux] ''Parliament.uk'', accessed 23 December 2014 </ref> | + | {{Template:Revolving Door badge}}General Sir '''David Richards''' (Lord Richards of Herstmonceux) is the former Chief of the Defence Staff and [[Chief of the General Staff (UK)| 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.<ref name="parl"> [http://www.parliament.uk/biographies/lords/lord-richards-of-herstmonceux/4317 Lord Richards of Herstmonceux] ''Parliament.uk'', accessed 23 December 2014 </ref> |
| − | Since retiring, Richard has advised the repressive governments of [[Bahrain]] and [[UAE]] as well as working for arms firm [[Dyncorp]]. | + | Since retiring in , Richard has advised the repressive governments of [[Bahrain]] and [[UAE]] as well as working for arms firm [[Dyncorp]]. |
The former commander-in-chief is listed as a keynote speaker at the upcoming [[Bahrain International Defence Exhibition and Conference]] in October 2017. | The former commander-in-chief is listed as a keynote speaker at the upcoming [[Bahrain International Defence Exhibition and Conference]] in October 2017. | ||
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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.<ref name="IN"> [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/3215626/Sir-David-Richards-new-head-of-the-British-Army-profile.html Sir David Richards, new head of the British Army: profile] ''Telegraph'', 17 October 2008, accessed 23 December 2014 </ref><ref name="IISS"> [http://www.iiss.org/en/about%20us/press%20room/press%20releases/press%20releases/archive/2013-61eb/october-7225/david-richards-2ae2 IISS announces the appointment of General Sir David Richards as Senior Adviser] ''International Institute for Strategy Studies'', 23 October 2013, accessed 23 December 2014 </ref> | 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.<ref name="IN"> [http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/onthefrontline/3215626/Sir-David-Richards-new-head-of-the-British-Army-profile.html Sir David Richards, new head of the British Army: profile] ''Telegraph'', 17 October 2008, accessed 23 December 2014 </ref><ref name="IISS"> [http://www.iiss.org/en/about%20us/press%20room/press%20releases/press%20releases/archive/2013-61eb/october-7225/david-richards-2ae2 IISS announces the appointment of General Sir David Richards as Senior Adviser] ''International Institute for Strategy Studies'', 23 October 2013, accessed 23 December 2014 </ref> | ||
| − | He was appointed [[Chief of the General Staff (UK)| Chief of the General Staff]] in 2009 and [[Chief of the Defence Staff]] in 2010 | + | He was appointed [[Chief of the General Staff (UK)| Chief of the General Staff]] in 2009 and [[Chief of the Defence Staff]] in 2010<ref name="IN"/><ref> [https://www.gov.uk/government/news/general-richards-to-take-over-as-chief-of-the-defence-staff Currently serving as the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir David Richards will take up the post of Chief of the Defence Staff in October…] ''Gov.UK'', 14 July 2010, accessed 23 December 2014 </ref>until he retired in 2013. |
==Revolving Door== | ==Revolving Door== | ||
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When asked about his role by the ''Wall Street Journal'' in 2014, 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.<ref> [http://graphics.wsj.com/house-of-lords/ Politics and Business in the House of Lords] ''Wall Street Journal'', accessed 23 December 2014 </ref> | When asked about his role by the ''Wall Street Journal'' in 2014, 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.<ref> [http://graphics.wsj.com/house-of-lords/ Politics and Business in the House of Lords] ''Wall Street Journal'', accessed 23 December 2014 </ref> | ||
His other roles include: | His other roles include: | ||
| − | *Chairman and director, [[Equilibrium Global]] Ltd (provision of geostrategic advice to governments and companies) (see category 4(a) - no personal clients)<ref name="parl"/> | + | *Chairman and director, [[Equilibrium Global]] Ltd (provision of geostrategic advice to governments and companies) (see category 4(a) - no personal clients)<ref name="parl"/> and [[Equilibrium Gulf]]. |
*Non-executive chairman, [[Arturius International]] Ltd (a company started by ex-servicemen and specialising in logistic and transport services)<ref name="parl"/> | *Non-executive chairman, [[Arturius International]] Ltd (a company started by ex-servicemen and specialising in logistic and transport services)<ref name="parl"/> | ||
*Adviser, [[International Institute for Strategy Studies]], 2013 - present<ref name="IISS"/> | *Adviser, [[International Institute for Strategy Studies]], 2013 - present<ref name="IISS"/> | ||
Revision as of 00:56, 13 September 2017
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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 Defence Staff and 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.[1]
Since retiring in , Richard has advised the repressive governments of Bahrain and UAE as well as working for arms firm Dyncorp.
The former commander-in-chief is listed as a keynote speaker at the upcoming Bahrain International Defence Exhibition and Conference in October 2017.
Other controversial clients include oil companies such as Vitol.
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.[2][3]
He was appointed Chief of the General Staff in 2009 and Chief of the Defence Staff in 2010[2][4]until he retired in 2013.
Revolving Door
Richards has acted as a 'strategic consultant' for a range of controversial clients since retiring.
According to the House of Lords Register of Interests, Richards is the founder, chairman and director of Palliser Associates Ltd, which provides strategic advice to governments and companies, and 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)[1]
When asked about his role by the Wall Street Journal in 2014, 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.[5] His other roles include:
- Chairman and director, Equilibrium Global Ltd (provision of geostrategic advice to governments and companies) (see category 4(a) - no personal clients)[1] and Equilibrium Gulf.
- Non-executive chairman, Arturius International Ltd (a company started by ex-servicemen and specialising in logistic and transport services)[1]
- Adviser, International Institute for Strategy Studies, 2013 - present[3]
Commissions as a consultant
In 2015 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 approved all as falling under the terms of his consultancy.[6]
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Lord Richards of Herstmonceux Parliament.uk, accessed 23 December 2014
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sir David Richards, new head of the British Army: profile Telegraph, 17 October 2008, accessed 23 December 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 IISS announces the appointment of General Sir David Richards as Senior Adviser International Institute for Strategy Studies, 23 October 2013, accessed 23 December 2014
- ↑ Currently serving as the Chief of the General Staff, General Sir David Richards will take up the post of Chief of the Defence Staff in October… Gov.UK, 14 July 2010, accessed 23 December 2014
- ↑ Politics and Business in the House of Lords Wall Street Journal, accessed 23 December 2014
- ↑ Gov.UK Business Appointments Applications: Lord Richards of Herstmonceux27 May 2015, accessed 23 September 2015
