Richard Whittingham has over 30 years of experience in leadership, innovation, technical expertise, analysis, project management, and mentoring within the defense sector. He has held numerous command positions and led teams of up to 550 personnel. Whittingham has a proven track record of developing strategies, managing resources, and implementing change. He has extensive experience in maritime surveillance, SIGINT, and airborne early warning systems.

1. 17/10/2016
RICHARD THOMAS WHITTINGHAM MABSC
tom.whittingham@rocketmail.com Tel 01793 745532 GSM 07564 939256
Is a highly motivated professional with a long and successful track record of leadership and
innovation in operational and strategic planning, resource management, project management for
technical and complex acquisition programmes. Has a board spectrum of technical knowledge,
operational and management experience within the CISTAR domain ranging from maritime
surveillance, SIGINT and airborne early warning systems. Is proven and tireless team player who
brings astute analysis and original thought, and is prepared to think outside the box. Has initiated
and implemented change management. A highly effective mentor, manager and higher education
level lecturer. Previous DV clearance.
Leadership
- Successfully commanded the UK AWACS force through the NATO operational
evaluation on deployment to Norway.
- Commanded the Strategy Division of the UK Joint Force Air Component HQ
during the highly successful NATO Rapid Reaction Force Accreditation.
- Command positions at squadron leader and wing commander level in NATO,
collation and national formations with responsibility for up to 550 personnel with
diverse skill sets.
- Led the RAF Waddington Crisis Action Group, using, Agile techniques, for Op
TELIC ensuring 3 separate force elements and over 900 personnel were trained
and prepared for deployment within 3 months.
- Implemented change within a multinational framework inspiring ownership
across all working levels.
- Deputised for Defence Academy International Section for pan-academy
management issues and course delivery compliance.
Innovation - Drafted a first national Maritime Security Strategy for Oman and framed the
working programme for the Oman Maritime Security Committee.
- Introduced risk management within UK Joint Force Air Component HQ and
Allied CAOC Al Udeid for campaign assessment, the approach was
subsequently adopted by UK Permanent Joint HQ.
- Developed the concept of an integrated Test and Evaluation Plan that was
incorporated within the staff requirement for the replacement maritime patrol
aircraft; subsequently made an essential element of all system requirements
sponsored by MOD Directorate of Air Requirements.
- As Project Manager challenged a 2-year test and development plan and
delivered a complex EW sensor programme that introduced a validated major
performance improvement within 3 months, accruing savings in excess of £1
million.
Technical - Successful vendor relationship management with numerous major companies
and research agencies with US and UK defence sector.
- Short-toured from operational flying to staff appointment within Central Tactics
and Trial Organisation leading to promotion and a command appointment at the
Aircraft and Armament Experimental Establishment Boscombe Down.
- Project manager or the acceptance of a magnetic anomaly detector for the
Nimrod MR2. Ran trials and exploited the data to radically improve the tactical
employment and effectiveness of the system.
- Established operational testing of mission system software within RAF.
- Responsible for the staff requirement for an active search sonobuoy leading to
successful technical demonstration.
Analysis - Conducted an operational analysis of Oman’s maritime surveillance capability
and gap analysis to identify critical surveillance capability needs that is shaping
future joint procurement.

2. 17/10/2016
- Proven campaigner leading Strategy Division within UK and Allied Combined Air
Operations Centres, covering live operations over Horn of Africa, Iraq and
Afghanistan.
- Designed change process for introduction of national anti-corruption
programmes.
- Conducted major trials at Chesapeake Test Range to validate and improve
YELLOWGATE ESM bearing performance. Analysed ESM trials (EWISTL)
presenting results to achieve major changes to system software that delivered
increased detection performance and reliability through revised search
strategies and program testing.
- Instigated major investigation into sonobuoy performance proving much of the
MOD stock was out of specification.
- Wrote papers on Forward Air Controller in Kosovo achieving 50% reduction in
deployed teams and 90% reduction in assigned combat air power and
simultaneously achieved a major increase in ISTAR coverage.
Manager - Nimrod R1/MR2 IPT bringing operational perspective and pragmatic approach
to through life capability management contributed to budget and programme
prioritisation within normal and urgent procurement cycles, reporting and
administrative processes. Successfully balanced pan-MOD ISTAR programme
requirements to maximise coherence and interoperability between single-
service driven programmes.
- Waddington Station Management Board member contributing to successful
resource management of assets (multi-£billion) and an ever tighter annual
budget against demanding targets and constraints.
- Key member of the Waddington Air Show Management Board, responsible for
air displays and risk management. Delivered highly profitable events despite
tactic support from higher command.
- Training manager for International Section, developing JSP822 DSAT
compliant courseware for 5 new and existing courses and associated
Continuous Quality Improvement Plan.
Mentor - Assisting COSSAF Study team evaluating Oman’s C4I system and its usage.
Moved focus to capability and information management from simply looking for
a replacement system.
- Developed and ran an anti-corruption course for senior officers/officials within a
tight time frame and achieving above average validation. Also taught on
overseas courses covering anti-corruption, procurement and strategic
communications. Proven senior instructor within military and sailing
environments. Directing staff on Advanced Command and Staff Course bringing
air campaigning experience to adapt teaching approach and material.
- Assisted numerous overseas students to complete the MA programme and
excel on the main course.
- Invested in personnel on all appointments achieving a good track record on
promotions, and awards.
Career Profile
Consultant, MOD Commercial Officers Professionalization Programme.
Staff Officer/Instructor, International Section UK Defence Academy (Aug 13 – Dec 15)
Staff Officer Maritime Security/Chief of Staff – Loan Service Oman (Jan 10 – Apr 13 )
Directing Staff, Advanced Command and Staff Course (Aug 07 – Dec 09)
Dep Director Strategy Division Allied CAOC Al Udeid, Qatar ( Jan – Jul 07)
ISTAR Requirement Manager, Nimrod IPT/Dep Director Strategy Division UK JFAC HQ (Mar 05 –
Jan 07)
OC Ops Wg RAF Waddington/E3D Component Deputy Cdr (Oct 02 – Mar 05)
OC Air Operations Coordination Cell HQ NATO Force HQ, Kosovo, (Mar-Sep 01)
OC Maritime Air Operations, NATO HQ Stavanger, Norway (Aug 1988 – Oct 2001)

3. 17/10/2016
Advanced Command and Staff Course (Aug 87 – Jul 88)
OC C Flt, 51 Sqn, RAF Wyton/Waddington (Aug 94 – Jul 87)
OC Nimrod Section, Mission System Div, A&AEE Bosombe Down (Aug 91 – Jul 94)
GD Aerosystem Course, RAFC Cranwell, Aug 90 – Jul 91)
Staff Officer, Maritime Patrol Cell, CTTO Northwood (Mar 87 – Jul 91)
Mission Crew, Nimrod MR2, 206 Sqn, (Mar 83 – Mar 86)
Education and Training
PRINCE 2 Practitioner, 2009.
Resource Management, 2008.
Risk Management, 2005.
Requirements Management, 2005
Arabic (basic), 2010, Norwegian (colloquial) 1999
MA, Defence Studies, Kings College, 1998
Joint Advanced Command and Staff Course 1997,
GD Aero Systems Course, 1990
BSc (Hons), Biomedical Electronics, Salford University, 1978
Interests
Sailing - RYA Advanced and Senior Instructor, Coastal Skipper, Rescue Driver. PADI Open-water
diver. Fitness – cycling and sport fitness. Non-smoker.