Brought up in Derbyshire and educated at the local Secondary School, he joined the Royal Air Force in 1988 as a University Cadet and studied Engineering at Clare College Cambridge. He spent his early career in frontline roles working on Nimrod Maritime Patrol Aircraft, Tornado and in several roles within the Harrier force. He has served as the Station Commander at Royal Air Force Wittering where he was also the RAF’s Logistics Force Commander.
He has held a range of staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence, Air Command and in equipment acquisition and support. He has been closely involved in strategic and capability planning for the Royal Air Force and Defence. He has been the Assistant Chief of Air Staff, where he was responsible for the strategic coherence and coordination of the Royal Air Force and planning for the RAF100 centenary programme. The most senior role he has held in the Ministry of Defence was as the Deputy Chief of Defence Staff for Military Capability. Before his appointment as Chief of the Air Staff, he was Deputy Commander Capability and People at Air Command, where he was responsible for the strategic planning and delivery of all aspects of Royal Air Force capability including people, equipment, infrastructure and training.
He has completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course, the Royal College of Defence Studies and the UK Pinnacle Course. He is also a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineers. He is a Vice Patron of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust, an ambassador for the Royal Air Force Association and President of the Royal Air Force Winter Sports Federation, Hockey Association and Powerlifting Association. He was appointed to the Military Division of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath as a Commander (CB) in 2017 and as Knight Commander (KCB) in 2023.
Sir Richard Knighton’s appointment as Chief of the Defence Staff heralds a pivotal moment in the evolution of the UK’s Armed Forces. A distinguished engineer and the first non-pilot to lead the Royal Air Force, Sir Richard brings a wealth of strategic insight and a commitment to innovation. His leadership has been instrumental in advancing cutting-edge projects like the Tempest fighter programme and in fostering a culture of excellence within the RAF. As he prepares to assume command in September 2025, Sir Richard’s focus on modernisation and integration positions him to steer the Armed Forces through a period of transformation, ensuring they remain agile and prepared to meet the challenges of an increasingly complex global landscape.
The Chief of the Defence Staff is the professional head of the Armed Forces and principal military adviser to the Secretary of State for Defence and the government. The role reports to the Secretary of State and the Prime Minister.
As CDS, ACM Knighton serves as the professional head of the UK’s Armed Forces, military strategic commander, and principal military adviser to the Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Defence.
Under defence Reform, the Chief of the Defence Staff, for the first time since this role was created, now commands the service chiefs and is the head of the newly established Military Strategic Headquarters, responsible for force design and war planning across an integrated force.
Sir Richard steps up from his previous role as Chief of the Air Staff, bringing extensive experience in strategic planning and overseeing Royal Air Force operations worldwide to his new position as Defence Chief.
The Chief of the Defence Staff’s responsibilities include:
We work for a secure and prosperous United Kingdom with global reach and influence. We will protect our people, territories, values and interests at home and overseas, through strong armed forces and in partnership with allies, to ensure our security, support our national interests and safeguard our prosperity.
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