Richard Leaman

Biographical Information
"Richard Leaman took over as Guide Dogs’ new Chief Executive in March 2010...Richard’s previous role was as a Rear Admiral in the Royal Navy, where he undertook a variety of demanding operational command and leadership roles, regularly responsible for multi-million pound budgets and hundreds of people, often in highly complex and politically sensitive circumstances. Richard has directed or commanded operations in every rank from Lieutenant to Rear Admiral, in ships and headquarters all around the globe.

"In 1992, whilst in command of a destroyer, Richard was awarded an OBE for his leadership of a combined-services disaster relief operation in the Caribbean in the wake of Hurricane Andrew. In 2009, he was appointed a Companion of the Order of the Bath in recognition of his work re-organising a NATO strategic headquarters in the US, and personally developing NATO’s new Maritime Security Strategy.

"Richard has always maintained a healthy interest in the charitable sector, and over the years he and his ships and headquarters raised significant sums of money for a wide variety of charities. Richard has had a lifelong affection for Guide Dogs, which he regards as a genuine national treasure, and feels privileged to lead.

"He is a Trustee of NCVO and Vison2020UK, an alumnus of the Manchester Business School, an associate of the Chartered Management Institute, and a graduate of the MoD’s Strategic Leadership, and Higher Command, courses."

Affiliations

 * Trustee, National Council of Voluntary Organisations