Speakers

Serving in HM Ships MARLBOROUGH, IRON DUKE, DRAGON and QUEEN ELIZABETH as a weapon engineer, Rich’s seagoing appointments have seen him deploy to the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, South America, and High North. He was privileged to be the Commander Weapon Engineer during the aircraft carrier’s first work up and first embarkation of 617Sqn and the USMC VFMA-211.

His Capability & Acquisition career started out in Dstl working on threat systems and concept technology, which was followed by a role as a Military Assistant to the Director Precision Attack in the old Capability Sponsor in the MOD. He has spent time as the Type 45 Destroyer Requirements Manager, and most recently was the Deputy Director Weapons in Defence Equipment & Support. He has also spent time in the Finance & Military Capability area of Head Office as Captain Navy Plans. 

Other shore roles have included a tour as Ops Officer to the UK National Contingent Commander’s HQ in Afghanistan, a Strategy & Plans role in Joint Forces Command, and as a Senior Policy Advisor in the National Security Secretariat of the Cabinet Office. More recently he was Commodore of the Naval Staff in London.

He assumed the role of Director Develop in June 2025, and is now responsible for designing, refining, and commissioning the capabilities, ships, weapons and systems for the Royal Navy’s fleet of the future.