Major Colin Richardson MBE is a recently retired British Army officer who served most of his career in the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (22 SAS), taking on multiple specialist unit command roles. A graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, he was commissioned into The Parachute Regiment before earning selection into the SAS. Over his career, he commanded Airborne and Special Forces on high-profile operations across Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan, as well as low-profile missions throughout Africa, the Far East, South America and Europe.
Colin is widely recognised for his expertise in counterterrorism, raising and training proxy forces, and designing bespoke man-hunting operations against insurgent and terrorist networks. His command experience within UK Special Forces included leading UKSF Covert Proxy Units, 22 SAS Targeting Cell, 22 SAS Special Reconnaissance Unit and UKSF Counter Proxy Forces. His leadership was pivotal in developing and deploying large-scale Proxy Special Forces Units, seamlessly integrating them with host nation security architectures and international coalitions.
As an advisor to foreign governments and agencies, Colin has played a key role in shaping counterterrorism strategies and developing covert operational forces. This work, along with his leadership on the ground, has made him one of the most experienced voices on insurgency, counterterrorism and unconventional warfare. His career placed him at the centre of some of the most influential counter-insurgency operations in recent history.
Since retiring, Colin continues to advise governments, corporations and multinational organisations on counterterrorism, counterinsurgency and leadership. He is a published writer on military strategy and leadership and delivers powerful keynote sessions that combine hard-won lessons from the front line with humour, humility and thought-provoking storytelling. Drawing on decades of operational experience, he inspires audiences to think differently about leadership, resilience, teamwork and decision-making in high-pressure environments.
Colin Richardson's official speaking topics are listed below
- Leading with Impact in High-Pressure Environments
- National Security and Geopolitics: Lessons from the Front Line
- Selecting, Developing and Inspiring High-Performance Teams
- Creating the Conditions for Mission Success
- After Dinner Speaking – Four Afghans for Christmas: Candid and Humorous Stories from Special Forces Operations
- Building Resilient and Cohesive Teams
- Commissioned from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst into The Parachute Regiment
- Selected for the 22nd Special Air Service Regiment (22 SAS) after rigorous training
- Operational deployments in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan
- Low-profile covert operations conducted across Africa, the Far East, South America and Europe
- Commanded UKSF covert proxy units and led the development of Proxy Special Forces Units integrated with host nation security structures
- Led 22 SAS Targeting Cell and Special Reconnaissance Unit on global counterterrorism missions
- Served as UKSF lead on Unconventional Warfare and Counter-Proxy Forces
- Advised governments and international agencies on counterterrorism strategy and covert operations
- Decorated with MBE for distinguished service in the UK Special Forces
- Transitioned to consultancy – advising governments, corporations and multinational organisations on leadership, counterterrorism and resilience
- Established career as a keynote and after-dinner speaker, sharing lessons on leadership, security and decision-making under pressure
How to hire Colin Richardson MBE
Contact the Champions Speakers Agency to provisionally enquire about hiring Colin Richardson MBE for your next event, today. To get in touch, simply call an official booking agent on 0207 1010 553 or email us at [email protected] for more information.
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