Rear Admiral Rich Harris

Rich joined the Royal Navy as a Weapon Engineer serving his early career in the frigates MARLBOROUGH and IRON DUKE. After deployments to the Indo-Pacific and Middle East, he took a secondment with the MOD’s science laboratory to work on threat systems and future capabilities such as Directed Energy Weapons. Moving to London for the 2010 Defence Review, he was Military Assistant to the Navy’s Capability Admiral in the old Cap Sponsor organisation.

In 2011, he deployed to Kabul as the Ops Officer in the UK National Contingent Commander’s HQ working directly to DCOMISAF. There he was concerned with UK operations and deployments across Afghanistan, but also the planning of UK force level reductions and the UK’s commitment to ISAF.

He was then dispatched to Abbey Wood as the Type 45 Requirements Manager, handling the acceptance of the destroyers DRAGON and DEFENDER, neatly setting up his next role in HMS DRAGON deploying with the USS NIMITZ Strike Group. On leaving the ship, he completed ACSC and was promoted to Commander.

After staff course he became the military lead in the planning area of UK Strategic Command covering Cyber, Special Forces and C4ISR during the National Security Capability Review. He then returned to Whitehall as Senior Policy Advisor within the National Security Secretariat of the Cabinet Office. Working on European Security and Defence, South China Sea and Gulf-Iran policy, he provided direct support to the National Security Council, ad-hoc COBRs and National Security Advisor.

In 2019 he joined HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH as the Commander Weapon Engineer and Head of the Carrier Strike media. During this time, he completed the carrier’s first operational work up and embarkation of UK 617 and USMC VMFA-211 F35B Squadrons.

In March 21 he left the carrier and was appointed Captain Navy Plans within the MOD’s Finance and Military Capability (FMC) area. He then moved up to be Head of the Naval Staff in London, leading on policy and Navy’s engagement with Head Office, Whitehall and Parliament. Returning to DE&S in May 24 as Deputy Director Weapons, he has most recently had responsibility for the procurement of all munitions, guns, torpedoes, and soldier systems, which included an enduring package for Ukraine.

This year he was promoted to be the Navy’s Director Develop, responsible for the through life, and future capability of the Royal Navy, working to the Military Strategic HQ and Navy Command.

His wife Philippa runs a pharmaceutical marketing consultancy, living in Wimbledon with their eightyear-old son, and five-year-old daughter. He is a trustee of the Dashwood Foundation, a charity providing accommodation for veterans and mariners, and is Chair of the Armed Forces Winter Sports Association