General Sir Richard Barrons KCB CBE to join Chatham House as security expert
News release
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4 August 2025
Sir Richard will join Chatham House as a senior consulting fellow in September.
Chatham House announced on Monday that General Sir Richard Barrons will join its International Security Programme as a senior consulting fellow. Sir Richard will take up the role in September 2025.
From 2013–2016, Sir Richard served as Commander Joint Forces Command – now known as Strategic Command – where he was one of the six ‘Chiefs of Staff’ leading the UK armed forces. In this position, he was responsible for more than 20,000 personnel.
Sir Richard’s military career began as an artillery officer and included the last decade of the Cold War. He has served in Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
His considerable expertise has seen him advise on leadership, military and national security issues, particularly on Digital Age transformation for 21st century warfare.
Director of Chatham House, Bronwen Maddox, said: ‘I’m delighted General Sir Richard Barrons is joining the Chatham House team to give his perspective on security in an insecure and uncertain world.’
Sir Richard was asked by the UK Prime Minister to be one of the leaders of the Strategic Defence Review 2025, published in June. The report tackled the most significant changes to defence for over 100 years.
Currently, he is Co-Chair of Universal Defence and Security Solutions, which brings together former senior military commanders, government officials, diplomats and industry experts to advise on defence, security and geopolitical challenges.
The International Security Programme is part of Chatham House’s Centre for Global Governance and Security, which also draws together experts from its International Law, Digital Society and Global Health Programmes.