s465_Air-Chief-Marshal-Sir-Rich-Knighton-KCB-ADC-FREng-Chief-of-the-Air-Staff.jpg — Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB ADC FREng, Chief of the Defence Staff, is new Ministry of Defence Charter Patron.

Partner Article

Chief of the Defence Staff announced as MOD Patron of the Women in Defence Charter

The Women in Defence Charter is delighted to announce that Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton KCB ADC FREng, Chief of the Defence Staff, is the new Ministry of Defence Charter Patron.

Sir Richard joins Dame Ruth Cairnie DBE, Industry Patron of the Charter, in providing senior leadership for an initiative that brings together government, industry, academia and the wider defence community to strengthen the UK's defence workforce.

The announcement reflects the continued importance of attracting, retaining and developing the broadest possible talent across the defence enterprise. As Defence responds to an increasingly complex strategic environment, people are as critical to readiness as platforms, technology and infrastructure. Building and sustaining the workforce needed for the future is therefore fundamental to operational capability, resilience and long-term success.

Launched in 2019, the Women in Defence Charter is a collaboration between the Ministry of Defence, Women in Defence UK and defence industry. Today, more than 130 organisations have signed the Charter, contributing to national resilience through creating a commitment to work together to build a more balanced, inclusive and formidable defence community.  

Organisations that sign this Charter are committing to be the very best at recruiting a diverse workforce and enabling that workforce to succeed, and creating an inclusive workplace where all individuals, particularly women, can thrive. Increased representation of women will help to improve the diversity of thought in decision making thus reducing the risk of collective blindness. 

As MOD Patron, Sir Richard will support the Charter's work by championing collaboration across Defence and reinforcing the importance of developing the workforce needed to meet future challenges. He will also join Dame Ruth Cairnie and an independent external judge in selecting the winner of the annual Most Improved Charter Signatory Award. Presented at the Women in Defence UK Awards Dinner, the award recognises signatories that have demonstrated measurable progress in improving gender balance and embedding lasting organisational change.

The appointment comes at a time when strengthening the defence workforce is increasingly recognised as a strategic imperative. As Defence looks to improve readiness for the challenges ahead, attracting talent is only part of the equation. Retaining, developing and fully utilising that talent across the defence enterprise will be equally critical to building the capability needed for the future.

Dame Ruth Cairnie, Industry Patron of the Women in Defence Charter, said: "The Women in Defence Charter demonstrates the power of a shared commitment and we have seen how real progress comes through collaboration, accountability and sustained leadership. I look forward to working alongside Sir Richard to support Signatories as they continue to strengthen the defence workforce."

Angela Owen OBE, Co-chair of the Women in Defence Charter, said: "We are delighted to welcome Sir Richard as our MOD Patron. Alongside Dame Ruth's continued support as Industry Patron, his appointment reinforces the shared commitment across the defence enterprise to building a more balanced, inclusive and resilient defence community.”