Our Patron
General Sir Richard Shirreff was born in Kenya in 1955 where he spent his early years. Educated in England, he read Modern History at Exeter College, Oxford before attending Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the 14th/20th King’s Hussars in 1978.
In his 37-year career, he commanded soldiers on operations at every level from platoon to division. This included combat in the Gulf War of 1991 as a tank squadron leader and again in Iraq as a divisional commander, together with other operations in Northern Ireland, Kosovo and Bosnia. In addition, he had extensive staff experience in the Desert Rats, in Army HQ and in the Ministry of Defence. He commanded NATO’s Allied Rapid Reaction Corps and his final post before withdrawing from the Army was NATO’s 4 Star Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (DSACEUR).
In February 2016, he co-founded Strategia Worldwide Ltd, a consultancy which helps clients protect the value of their investment by understanding and managing risk comprehensively. In 2016 his novel ‘2017: War with Russia’ was published in the UK and the USA. It became a best seller and has been translated into eight languages. He is an honorary fellow of Exeter College, Oxford.
General (Retired) Sir Richard Shirreff KCB CBE MA (Oxon.)
NATO Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe (2011-2014)
UCL Diplomatic Society
UCL Diplomacy Society is the largest international-based society at UCL. They inform members about current political and economic affairs, providing a valuable opportunity to learn and engage in areas of foreign policy. The Society hosts exciting guest talks, roundtable events, embassy visits and formal dinners with senior leaders. Through their network of diverse connections, they support students pursuing a career in foreign affairs and diplomacy.
