Vice Admiral Alan David Richards, CB, whose interests include watching rugby, sailing and competing in triathlons is a Royal Navy officer, recently retired as Chief of Defence Intelligence.Vice Admiral Richards joined the Royal Navy in 1977 where he became commanding officer of the frigate HMS Monmouth, in which he conducted the first global circumnavigation by a Type 23 frigate, and HMS Cumberland which was deployed to the Gulf during Operation Desert Fox. He also served in the Falkland Islands as the helicopter warfare instructor and senior pilot.He went on to be Director of Force Development in 2002, Commander of the Carrier Strike Group in 2004, Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (International Security Policy) in 2007 and then Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Resources and Plans) in 2009. He became Chief of Defence Intelligence in January 2012 on promotion to Vice Admiral.