General Sir David Richards

General Sir David Richards is one of the best known British generals of modern times.

He will talk about his autobiography Taking Command - a characteristically outspoken account of a career that took him into the highest echelons of military command and politics.

Written with candour, and often humour, his story reflects the changing reality of life for the modern soldier over the last forty years and offers unprecedented insight into the readiness of our military to tackle the threats and challenges we face today.

In 2013 he retired after over forty years of service in the British Army and a career that had seen him rise from junior officer with 20 Commando to Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head of the British Armed Forces.