Photo: Andrew Wheeler / OGL 3 (source: Wikimedia Commons)
Born on January 1, 1969 in Kendu Bay, Kenya, Richard Knighton is a military flight engineer and air force officer. As of 2026, Richard Knighton is 57 years old. Education on record includes Clare College. Listed accolades include Companion of the Order of the Bath (2016), Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (2022) and Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (2020).
My Take
What strikes me about Richard Knighton is the unlikely arc: born in Kenya, educated at Cambridge, and now sitting near the very top of Britain's armed forces. As an engineer who rose to Chief of the Defence Staff, he represents a kind of leadership I find quietly compelling, one built on technical mastery and institutional steadiness rather than battlefield glamour. The string of honours, from Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath to a fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering, suggests a man valued for substance over spectacle. I respect figures who run vast, complex machinery without needing the spotlight, and he seems to be exactly that.
1. Profile
- Name (English)
- Richard Knighton
- Name (Japanese)
- Richard Knighton
- Born
- January 1, 1969 (age 57)
- Zodiac / Chinese zodiac
- Capricorn / Rooster
- Origin
- Kendu Bay, Kenya
- Occupation
- military flight engineer / air force officer
2. Background
- University
- Clare College
Awards & achievements
- 2016 Companion of the Order of the Bath
- 2022 Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath
- 2020 Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
3. Links
- Wikipedia (English)https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich%20Knighton
- Wikidatahttps://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20022456
4. About this entry
Tags
- Last updated
- 2026-06-21
Facts are limited to publicly available information up to 2024; non-public or unconfirmed items are omitted. English text is machine-assisted (facts translated by Sonnet, "My Take" written by Opus 4.8). The Japanese page is the source of record.
Frequently asked questions
When was Richard Knighton born?
Born January 1, 1969 (age 57).
Where is Richard Knighton from?
Richard Knighton is from Kendu Bay, Kenya.
What does Richard Knighton do?
Richard Knighton works as military flight engineer, air force officer.
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