Richard Knighton
Sir Richard Knighton | |
|---|---|
Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath | |
| Alma mater | Clare College, Cambridge (BA, engineering) |
| Spouse(s) | Caitlin |
Early life
Born in 1969,[1] Knighton was educated at Hatton Secondary School in Derbyshire. As a university cadet sponsored by the Royal Air Force, he studied engineering at Clare College, Cambridge. He graduated in 1991 with a first class Bachelor of Arts degree.[1]
Military career
Knighton joined the
In 2003 Knighton was promoted to wing commander whilst attending the Advanced Command and Staff Course. A year later, he returned to the Harrier Force in 2004 as part of the Integrated Project Team based at RAF Wyton; this role was looking at ways to transform how the Harrier was supported by commercial industry partners.[1]
In 2006, he was appointed
In May 2011, with promotion to
In March 2023, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace announced that Knighton would be appointed as Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) in June 2023, in the rank of air chief marshal.[11] Knighton, who joined the RAF as an engineering officer, is significant as the first non-military pilot to be appointed to the role of CAS.[2] Knighton took up the post on 2 June 2023.[12][13]
Personal life
Knighton is married to Caitlin, a partner to a Cambridge-based law firm.[1] The couple share their Cambridge home with their two daughters, Emily (born 2000) and Rosie (born 2002).[1] Knighton is president of Combined Services and RAF Powerlifting, along with the chairman of the RAF Winter Sports Federation.[1] Off duty, Knighton is a "a below-average sportsman", and a keen skier, and confesses a desire to do more sailing, whilst also keeping current with his private pilots licence.[1]
References
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p "Assistant Chief of Air Staff (ACAS) – Senior Commanders". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 2017 [2015]. Archived from the original on 24 April 2017. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ^ a b Haynes, Deborah (29 March 2023). "RAF set to name non-pilot as chief for the first time in its history". News.Sky.com. Sky News. Retrieved 31 March 2023.
- ^ a b Mackie, Colin (December 2021). "Senior Royal Air Force Appointments" (PDF). Gulabin.com. Colin Mackie. pp. 11, 16. Retrieved 30 August 2023.
- ^ "Air rank and command appointments list 11.14 – Senior Appointments". RAF.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. 9 December 2014. Retrieved 22 April 2015.
- ^ "Air Vice-Marshal Richard Knighton – CAA board and staff". CAA.co.uk. Civil Aviation Authority. Retrieved 12 February 2016.
- ^ Mackie, Colin. "Senior Tri-Service and Ministry of Defence Appointments" (PDF). Gulabin.com. Colin Mackie. Retrieved 1 April 2017.
- ^ "No. 61803". The London Gazette (Supplement). 31 December 2016. p. N2.
- ^ "No. 62525". The London Gazette (Supplement). 8 January 2019. p. 87.
- ^ "Deputy Commander Capability: Sir Rich Knighton KCB FREng". RAD.MoD.uk. Royal Air Force. Retrieved 13 June 2022.
- ^ "No. 63714". The London Gazette (Supplement). 2 June 2022. p. B3.
- ^ The Royal Air Force [@RoyalAirForce] (31 March 2023). "Air Marshal Sir Richard Knighton to be appointed Chief of the Air Staff in June 2023, in the rank of Air Chief Marshal" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB FREng". GOV.UK. Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 2 June 2023.
- ^ "No. 64077". The London Gazette (Supplement). 13 June 2023. p. 11608.
