Career
Richards joined the Royal Navy in 1977. He became commanding officer of the frigate HMS Monmouth and then of the frigate HMS Cumberland in which he saw operational service during the Gulf War. He went on to be Director of Force Development in 2002, Commander of the Carrier Strike Group in 2004, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (International Security Policy) in 2007 and then Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Resources and Plans) in 2009.
He became Chief of Defence Intelligence in January 2012 on promotion to Vice Admiral.
