From Battlefield Injury to CEO: Colonel David Richmond on Leading After Loss

Colonel David Richmond CBE — decorated soldier, most senior British casualty of the Afghanistan campaign, and now Chief Executive of the Royal Hospital Chelsea — joins Mike Davis Marks for a candid conversation about service, survival, and finding purpose on the other side of the uniform. From Cold War West Berlin and the corridors of Spandau Prison, to commanding the 5 SCOTS battle group in Helmand, David's military career was as rich as it was demanding. But it was a firefight in Musa Qala in 2009 that changed everything — leading to four years of surgery, reconstruction, and ultimately a medical discharge. Rather than fade quietly into civilian life, David went on to help build Help for Heroes' recovery programme under the legendary Bryn Perry, establish the Office for Veterans' Affairs as its founding Director, and now leads one of Britain's most historic institutions — the Royal Hospital Chelsea, home of the Chelsea Pensioners. In this episode: Growing up inspired by quietly stoic grandparents who'd served Life as a young officer in Cold War West Berlin — including guarding Rudolf Hess What battalion command really feels like — and why leadership beats management every time Being wounded in Helmand and navigating four years of recovery Working for Bryn Perry — "the most visionary leader I've ever come across" Setting up the Office for Veterans' Affairs from scratch in the Cabinet Office The Royal Hospital Chelsea's outreach programme tackling loneliness in older veterans His advice to veterans on the threshold of leaving — and why your skills are more valuable than you think TheVeteran.UK is a platform dedicated to veterans' transferable skills, employment, and community resilience. The Veteran Voice podcast features conversations with veterans who've successfully transitioned into civilian careers and community leadership. 🔔 Subscribe for new episodes every week 📰 Read more at theveteran.uk