Nick Houghton

General Sir Nick Houghton is the former Chief of the UK Defence Staff, offering powerful insights on leadership, crisis management, and global security drawn from over four decades at the highest levels of military strategy.

General Sir Nick Houghton served as the UK’s Chief of Defence Staff until 2016, capping a remarkable 43-year military career spent at the heart of strategic decision-making, crisis response, and global defence operations.

Throughout his distinguished service, General Houghton played a central role in shaping British military action during some of the most significant events of recent decades. As Director of Military Operations, he oversaw the UK’s early responses to 9/11, led the first deployments to Afghanistan, and managed operations in Sierra Leone and the Foot and Mouth crisis. In Iraq, he served as Deputy Commander of all Allied Troops during one of the most volatile periods in the country’s history, later planning and executing the UK’s withdrawal from southern Iraq as Chief of Joint Operations.

He went on to become Vice Chief of Defence and the sole military member of the Lord Levene Defence Reform team, helping to modernise the Ministry of Defence and shape the Joint Forces Command. As Chief of Defence Staff, he concluded UK combat operations in Afghanistan and was instrumental in delivering the 2015 Strategic Defence and Security Review, securing the 2% GDP commitment to defence and helping the UK respond to new and evolving threats – from terrorism and cyber conflict to an increasingly assertive Russia.

Known for his calm authority and strategic vision, General Houghton continues to contribute to national security conversations. In 2016, he was appointed the 160th Constable of the Tower of London, a historic role that reflects both his service and stature. He remains deeply engaged in defence, security, and leadership at the highest level.

As a speaker, General Houghton shares rare insight into global affairs, leadership under pressure, and the realities of high-stakes decision-making. His talks are thought-provoking, grounded in experience, and rich in relevance for today’s leaders facing uncertainty and complexity.

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