Executive summary
This report reveals how retired senior British military figures are frequently presented in the UK media as purely independent experts on defence and security matters without mention of their personal commercial and employment interests in the defence, technology, intelligence, and security sectors in those reports. By analysing media reports between 2015 and May 2026, AOAV identified a repeated pattern where almost 60% of former key military personnel with links to the defence industry were found to have been – at least once – cited in the British media primarily by a reference to their rank and previous service, without audiences being informed of their current post-service defence advisory roles, consultancies, directorships, or financial interests. So, while post-service commercial work is common, we documented a systemic failure of the UK media to disclose such employment and to highlight potential conflicts of interest.
Our report argues that reporting of such vested interests, improved editorial due diligence, and a broader range of voices are necessary to ensure audiences are able to properly assess expert commentary on issues of defence and the arms trade with informed scepticism.
Key findings
- The research identified 33 retired senior military officers who left the British armed forces between 2015 and May 2026 and who subsequently held current or former commercial positions in the defence, security, intelligence, technology, or related sectors. These individuals had also been quoted, featured, or otherwise used as commentators in UK media coverage of defence, conflict, or national security issues.
- Of these, we found that 19 or 58% of these had been given a media platform to debate defence matters – at least on one occasion – without the media outlets involved identified noting their commercial or financial interests in the defence industry.
- Instead, commentators were identified solely by their former military rank or previous command positions. This, we contend, creates the impression of impartial and independent expertise.
- The unreported interests included advisory roles, consultancy work, board memberships, executive positions, strategic partnerships, and major shareholdings connected to defence contractors, military technology firms, cybersecurity companies, and geopolitical consultancies.
- Several commentators publicly advocated increased British defence spending or expanded military engagement, despite simultaneously holding positions linked to industries that could benefit from such recommendations.
- This research does not suggest that any individual cited in this report deliberately concealed their commercial affiliations from journalists. Rather, it highlights a recurring failure by news organisations to disclose potentially relevant industry interests when presenting former senior military figures as independent expert commentators on defence, conflict, and national security issues.
The role of military veterans in the UK’s media debate on defence spendine
In the UK, the public’s understanding of matters of war, national security, and defence policy is almost entirely shaped by media commentary from figures presented as authoritative military experts.
The go-to for most reporters is retired senior officers and former commanders, who are routinely quoted in print, broadcast, and digital media to explain unfolding conflicts, defence budgets, military power and, of course, to offer their opinion. Such views carry substantial weight, largely because of their professional reputation, long service, and the perceived impartiality of military expertise which – especially in the UK – is largely seen to be apolitical. This is the assumed position of most public servants and such assumption of impartiality implicitly reaches across into their post-service opinion.
However, this report finds that a growing number of military commentators are presented to the public solely by their former military rank, despite their holding private sector roles, directorships, advisory positions, or shareholdings linked directly to the arms trade, security and defence technology.
Of course, holding private-sector roles after military service is both lawful and commonplace. This is not the point of this report. Rather, the concern highlighted here is about the UK’s media. It is one of transparency, the failure to report on potential conflicts of interest, and public accountability. When audiences are denied information that is essential to analyse a certain issue, particularly when such information reveals that those individuals commentating may stand to benefit financially or professionally, it becomes a real problem.
This report documents 19 senior military figures of 33 identified and analysed who were quoted, featured, or commented in major media outlets exclusively in their capacity as former military leaders, despite holding relevant positions that present clear yet undisclosed conflicts of interest.
The findings presented here do not argue that the individuals identified are acting improperly, nor that their analyses lack merit, however we assert that the public has a right to full and relevant information when evaluating expert commentary, particularly where it involves lives, public expenditure, and international security. This report contends that such an omission creates a misleading impression of independence and objectivity, and frankly, does not give the public the full picture of potential bias and even the concern about profiteering.
Methodology
This study of key military figures, their background, current and past appointments, and subsequent reporting in the media was all executed through the use of open-source data. AOAV initially drew up a list of top military figures including recently retired Major Generals of the British Army, Air Marshals of the Royal Air Force, and Admirals and First Sea Lords of the Royal Navy. The next stage of the research was to determine each figure’s roles following departure from the military, including non-executive positions and shareholdings. We omitted from our findings senior veterans who had not gone into the military-industrial workforce. The research, which was focused on the period 2015 to the present (May 2026) accordingly identified some 33 key military figures either currently have or had commercial/private directorships, shareholdings, or other roles/vested interests within the defence sector and surrounding industries who were quoted or offered commentary in the media. Well over half – 19 – were done without any reference to their private, military-industrial appointments.
For each individual identified in the dataset, open-source records were accessed to establish current and past affiliations beyond military service. The following sources were used to collect and cross-verify professional information:
- LinkedIn – where available, to identify self-reported employment history, board memberships, advisory roles, and any other relevant appointments.
- Company websites – to confirm directorships, executive roles, advisory positions, and business activities.
- Companies House (UK) — to verify current and past directorships and shareholding filings.
- Parliamentary Registers of Interests — to identify declared financial interests, consultancy roles, or paid positions relevant to defence and security where such registers are publicly available.
To establish whether vested interests were transparently communicated or disclosed in the media, each identified individual’s media appearances were then reviewed via Google News search. Primary media sources primarily included online news platforms and digital newspapers. For each appearance, the following was analysed: the form of identification used by the media (e.g. military rank only), whether any current roles or vested interests were mentioned, and the context and subject matter of the commentary.
Why this report is necessary: the need for greater transparency in reporting on veterans’ voices in the British media
Public commentary on defence, national security, and military conflict frequently relies on the views of senior former military officers. Individuals identified as major generals, air marshals, admirals, or former service chiefs are presented to the public as authoritative, expert voices and their assessments considered credible and transparent by audiences. When media coverage regularly relies on defence-aligned commentators without proper context, it limits the range of views the public hears. Over time, this can shape how threats are understood, which policy choices seem reasonable, and which responses appear necessary. In areas such as war, military spending, and international security, this can have consequences for public debate and democratic decision-making.
It is important to note that this report does not allege wrongdoing on the part of the individuals identified, nor on the part of the publications presented within the pages of this report. However, the concern is that without adequate disclosure, audiences are unable to properly assess possible influences on expert commentary, which ultimately weakens trust.
Dr Paul Lashmar, former Head of the Department of Journalism at City, University of London said of the findings: “It is not good enough for the journalist just to give the former rank and name of military commentator if the are now working for defence contractor. Current employment if relevant must be stated otherwise the public can oblivious of any conflict of interest. For example, it is one thing to have led a tank regiment but another if the ‘expert’ is now working for a company manufacturing tanks.”
Professor Justin Schlosberg, an expert on hidden media power, ownership and disinformation, said “that nearly 60% of these senior military commentators were presented without disclosing their corporate paymasters undermines the principles of transparent, public interest journalism. It’s a reflection of how captured British journalism is by the military industrial complex. An open and honest debate about unprecedented militarisation has never been more needed. Instead it’s been turned into a managed consensus.”
Dr Richard Danbury, Senior Lecturer in Journalism at City, University of London, also told AOAV, “If you’re quoted as an expert by a journalist, the public ought to know if what you’re saying might be influenced by your day job. That’s so an audience can weigh your words appropriately. The same happens in other areas, such as science and medicine, and Parliamentarians have to declare interests they have in what they’re giving speeches about. It makes sense that declaring your interests ought to happen in journalism too.”
In this spirit, AOAV’s report set out to gauge the extent of non-disclosure, showing it is a pattern rather than isolated cases, and in so doing urges media organisations to support stronger standards of transparency and accountability in defence and security reporting.
Senior military veterans and how the media reports on their potential conflicts of interest
This section profiles 19 examples of retired senior military figures who have been cited in the media without full disclosure and transparency of their professional and financial interests. In each case, the analysis highlights relevant commercial roles, directorships, shareholdings, or other affiliations that were not disclosed to audiences, and that may give rise to potential conflicts of interest. There is absolutely no claim that anyone on this list has not disclosed their current conflicts-of-interest. We assume the responsibility to report on this lies with the journalists involved in the reports, not their interviewees.
1. Nick Carter
General Sir Nicholas Patrick Carter is a retired Senior British Army Officer who served as Chief of the Defence Staff from June 2018 to December 2021. Sir Nick is a Strategic Advisor for Aerospace and Defence at Exigent Capital, an Israeli-based financial services firm with a UK reach. His role involves providing strategic consulting to Israeli defence companies and helping them develop international growth strategies. According to Declassified UK, “Carter notified ACOBA of 12 jobs he had been offered since stepping down from the army in July 2022, although Exigent was not among them. General Carter and Exigent did not respond to a request for comment on when they began working together. A LinkedIn post by the company shows they had started at least three months ago, when Exigent said: “We look forward to sharing his unparalleled expertise, insights and network with our clients.” His other job offers encompassed unpaid roles at Harvard and Stanford universities, plus a trusteeship at the Royal United Services Institute think tank. Paid positions included working part-time as a strategic advisor for Schroders bank, plus advisory roles at Helsing – a German AI defence start-up – and an insurance firm. On top of this, Sir Nick spends 30 days per year “as a thought partner for Tony Blair in his role as Executive Chairman” at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change. And he is chairman of Equilibrium Gulf Limited, which advises the crown prince of Bahrain on the autocratic country’s notoriously brutal interior ministry.” Sir Nick has been quoted across various publications re-increasing defence spending, with only reference to his military status. For example, he is quoted in The Telegraph on 21 February 2025 as, “Gen Sir Nick, who was the chief of the defence staff between 2018 and 2021, said he thought that the UK and its European allies needed to “state a position” and that defence spending had to increase now.” He is quoted similarly in both The Independent and The Daily Mail. In a self-authored article for Politico, Sir Nick discloses himself only as ‘the former U.K. Chief of the Defence Staff and strategic counselor at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change.’ In an Express article dated 11 February 2026, Sir Nick is also quoted as ‘former UK Chief of Defence Staff’ in a piece detailing Europe’s decades of defence underinvestment as being no longer inefficient but dangerous.
2. Chris Deverell
General Sir Christopher Michael Deverell, KCB, MBE, is a retired British Army Officer who served as Commander of the UK’s Joint Forces Command and member of the UK Chiefs of Staff Committee from April 2016 to May 2019. Sir Christopher founded Deverell Innovation Ventures, an Innovation, Strategy and Leadership Consultancy. Between 2023 and 2024 its equity rose by 202% to 395,979. Partners listed include New Orbit, Babcock, Helsing, and Distance Technologies. In an Independent article on 8 March 2022, Sir Christopher was quoted as a “retired army general”, advocating for a no fly zone over Ukraine. In a self-authored article in The Telegraph from 5 November 2025, Sir Christopher advocated for increased defence spending. He is referred to at the end of the article as “General (Retd) Sir Chris Deverell was the four-star head of Joint Forces Command and a senior officer in the British Army. His career included command of 4th Armoured Brigade in Germany”. No reference was made to his consultancy work with defence technology companies.
3. James Everard
General Sir James Rupert Everard, KCB, CBE, is a retired senior British Army officer who served as NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe. His LinkedIn profile shows him currently as Advisor to the CEO at IDU — a software company working in enhancing onboarding experiences — from 2019, President at ABF The Soldier’s Charity from April 2020, Lead Senior Mentor at NATO from March 2017, and Advisor at WithYouWithMe — a global tech company — from 2022. No mention is made of his membership at Alphen Group, who are focused on providing actionable, high-level solutions for European security and defence. Sir James is quoted in a Telegraph article from 24 December 2024 titled “Army must abandon ‘self-harming’ spending cuts, says Former commander”. He is specifically quoted as saying, “I think it’s no secret that years of under-investment have left us in a place where the gap between where you are and where you need to be is so big that it’s a mountain to climb for any government of any kind.” Whilst mention is made of his roles within NATO and Army Benevolent Fund, there is no mention of his strategic consultancy roles or memberships. A similar lack of detail can be told in an ipaper article dated 27 December 2024 where Sir James again advocated for increased defence spending, and we, as the reader, are only made aware of his previous military career and his role as ‘NATO’s Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe’.
4. Nick Houghton
Field Marshal John Nicholas Reynolds Houghton, Baron Houghton of Richmond, GCB, CBE, DL, is a retired senior British Army officer and former Chief of the Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces. According to the House of Lord’s Register of Interests Baron Houghton is Senior Defence and Security Adviser at Thales UK, a defence and cybersecurity solutions group; Strategic Adviser at Whitespace, an AI assisted decision-making company; Senior Military Adviser at SecureCloud+, a tech company focusing on data exploitation and secure communication services; and Non-executive Director at Draken Topco LLC, which provides technology-led training for military personnel focusing on “degraded battlespace.” He is also now non-executive Chairman of Defence Holdings PLC, a UK based software-led defence company. As of August 2025, Whitespace and Defence Holdings have formed a new strategic partnership. In an article in the Daily Mail dated 2 April 2024, Baron Houghton backed the Mail’s campaign to increase defence spending. There was no mention made of his various vested interests.
5. Carleton-Smith
General Sir Mark Alexander Popham Carleton-Smith, GCB, CBE, DL, is a former Senior British Army Officer who served as Chief of the General Staff from June 2018 to 2022. He has also held multiple other military positions during his career from 2002. He has been a Senior Consultant at CT Group (a global, political and strategic consultancy) from December 2023 to present, and Non Executive Director at SafeLane Global (who specialise in countering explosive & hazardous material threats and security risks), also from December 2023 to present. In December 2023, the Guardian reported that Carleton-Smith had joined Lynton Crosby’s CT Group to advise clients on defence industry opportunities linked to the Aukus pact. Carleton-Smith is quoted in an article in The Sun on 13 October 2024, referred to as the SAS’ “Colonel Commandant” and “former Army chief and SAS boss,” without reference to his commercial roles. More recently in March 2026, he is referred to as “General Sir Mark Carleton Smith” in a Forces News video re the need to ‘future proof’ the bases in Cyprus by way of ‘a degree of infrastructure upgrade.’
6. Rupert Jones
Major General Rupert Timothy Herbert Jones CBE is a retired senior British Army officer, who served as the Standing Joint Force Commander from November 2018 to July 2021. According to LinkedIn, he is a “Strategic, Leadership and Boardroom advisor drawing on 30 years’ experience leading military and inter-agency teams at home and in international crises from Sarajevo to Raqqah.” Major General Jones has held multiple senior advisory and consulting roles, including Partner and Head of Strategy Execution at Strategia Worldwide, a company focused on helping execute strategy, manage and assess risk for business; and Consultant at Berwicks Consultants, which helps organisations with risk and crisis response. He also serves as a Consultant at Skyral, an AI defence company; a Principal at Pallas Advisors, an organisation that helps tech companies navigate complex national security dynamics; and an Advisor at Optimi Health, a virtual sports medicine clinic. In December 2023, Major General Jone additionally took on the role of Senior Adviser at IBM, continuing a portfolio career focused on strategy, advisory, and execution leadership. Also according to his LinkedIn, he is a Principal at Pallas Advisors — a company that specialises in national security, innovation, and defence — since December 2021. Pallas is an American company. Major General Jones is widely quoted in the media, making regular appearances on Sky News. In the Express, he commented on the Ukraine war, and in an Opinion piece with Defence Connect, Major General Jone analysed the degree to which technology has changed the way that we fight across battlefields from Ukraine to Mosul. Major General Jones appeared on PBS New Hour on 13 September 2024 as ‘Major General’ and ‘Military Analyst’, saying the equipment the British military has is “not fit for purpose”. Across all mediums, there was no disclosure of Major General Jones’ various conflicting appointments.
7. Richard Kemp
Colonel Richard Justin Kemp CBE is a retired British Army officer who served from 1977 to 2006. He is an advisor at Cardinal Point Strategies — a consulting firm that specialises in intelligence, law enforcement, homeland security, and public safety matters — where it is noted “he is a regular columnist for ‘The Times’ of London, frequently writes for other national and international newspapers and is a prolific contributor to television and radio news and current affairs programmes. His TV appearances include major contributions to a seminal Channel 4 documentary on political kidnapping and the BBC’s recent ‘Secret Pakistan’ series. He was chief adviser for the acclaimed new TV drama, ‘Secret State’ and Co-Producer of the Lionsgate action movie ‘I Am Soldier’, released in 2014.” Kemp is also the director of the UK Friends of the Association for the Wellbeing of Israel’s Soldiers, UK-AWIS — an Israeli organisation managed by the Israel Defense Forces. The organisation was issued an official warning from the Charity Commission in July 2025 over posting a video containing a distressing scene. On numerous occasions Colonel Kemp’s other interests are not mentioned in relation to his journalistic work. Colonel Kemp authored an article in the Telegraph dated 8 August 2025 titled “Israel has little choice to occupy Gaza” with no disclosure of his ties to the IDF. This followed the BBC’s failure to disclose Kemp’s links to the IDF during a radio show on 13 June 2025, despite the failure to report his links to the IDF being upheld in a previous complaint to the BBC – this time on Newsnight. Colonel Kemp also authored another Telegraph article dated 29 September 2025 titled ‘Trump’s Gaza deal is the best chance to end this war’, with no mention of his own conflicting links. More recently, Kemp is quoted as Colonel and former British Army Commander in an Express article dated 8 March 2026 in an opinion piece re Labour’s stance on the Iran war, again with no contextualisation of his other roles.
8. Stuart Peach
Air Chief Marshal Stuart William Peach is a British retired senior Royal Air Force officer. On 21 November 2022, he was created Baron Peach of Grantham in the County of Lincolnshire. He sits as a crossbencher. His parliamentary registered interests include a range of senior advisory, mentoring, and leadership roles across defence, security, intelligence, and space-related industries. He is a Director of Stuart Peach Consultancy Limited, his personal service company, and previously served as the UK Prime Minister’s Special Envoy to the Western Balkans until March 2025. He acts as a mentor to the UK Ministry of Defence and is Chair of Super-Sharp Space Systems Limited, which focuses on space-based Earth observation, as well as mentor of Chair Mentors International. In addition, he serves as Global Adviser to Maxar Intelligence UK, which provides geospatial information and intelligence; Strategic Adviser to Oliver Wyman plc on defence reform; Adviser to SR-M, a global intelligence and cyber security organisation; and Chair of Second Air Support Ltd, a company specialising in the repair and maintenance of aircraft and spacecraft. In a This is Money article from 16 March 2025 about the signing of a joint letter supporting the launch of a £100bn Defence Security & Resilience bank for rearmament in the UK and the Continent, Air Chief Marshal Peach is only quoted as”‘Lord [Stuart] Peach, Air Chief Marshal, former Chief of Defence Staff and chairman of NATO’s Military Committee”.
9. David Richards
Field Marshal David Julian Richards, Baron Richards of Herstmonceux, GCB, CBE, DSO, DL is a retired senior British Army officer and Peer who was formerly the Chief of the Defence Staff, the professional head of the British Armed Forces. Baron Richards has been reported to have worked as a consultant for the government of the United Arab Emirates and has advised American arms company DynCorp. This is confirmed in a Times Article which refers to documents that set out the commissions accepted by his company, which include “DynCorp International, a US-based private military contractor and CQS, an asset management company.” From October 2013, Baron Richards has worked as a Senior Adviser to the International Institute for Strategic Studies. Baron Richards is widely quoted in the media in relation to his ‘Field Marshal’ title. For example, he is quoted in The Independent on 19 October 2025; “Field Marshal Lord Richards said Kyiv will not be able to drive Vladimir Putin’s soldiers out of Ukraine without the help of NATO forces – who won’t get involved on the ground.” There are further examples in The Independent again, alongside an article in The Times and SFG Media, which do not detail his vested interests despite his commentary on budgets and spending.
10. Patrick Sanders
General Sir Patrick Nicholas Yardley Monrad Sanders is a retired senior British Army officer who served as Chief of the General Staff from 13 June 2022 to 15 June 2024. According to his bio on Santander, Sanders was also one of the UK’s Joint Chiefs from 2019–2024. According to the same bio, Sir Sanders is Strategic Defence Adviser to Santander Bank, Chair of Herminius Strategic Intelligence, which provides independent advice and intelligence, and has a number of international advisory roles. He also co-hosts a weekly geo-political podcast for The Times and The Sunday Times called ‘The General & The Journalist’. Sir Sanders is also Patron of the UK’s Afghanistan Veterans Community. Sander’s ‘booming private sector career’ is detailed here. Sir Sanders is quoted in an Independent article dated 12 July 2025 about the Russian conflict where he criticises the recent UK defence budget. There is no mention of his advisory roles. Sir Sanders was recently quoted on Channel 4 News on 1 April 2026 as saying “we would be able to fight for a matter of weeks and no more” in relation to the state of the UK’s defence. Again, he is only referred to as ‘General’ and ‘former Chief of the General Staff.’
11. Richard Shirreff
General Sir Alexander Richard David Shirreff, KCB, CBE is a retired senior British Army officer. He served as Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe from March 2011 to 2014. Shirreff is reportedly an Advisory Board member of the non-for profit organisation Genderforce, which focuses on fighting and preventing sexual and gender based violence in conflict and post-conflict situations, and he is a founding partner of Strategia Worldwide, a risk management consultancy founded in 2016. He also joined GLOBESEC’s Future Security Defence Council in February 2023. Other positions held include Executive Vice Chairman at Sigma7 Global Risk Outcomes from May to December 2022; member of the Public Service Advisory Council for Fortinet Security Network from July 2022 to January 2025. He also holds two other current positions, according to his LinkedIn. These are: Co Managing Partner at Tailings Protect, a mining safety company, from September 2021 and Co Managing Partner at Montt Strategia International, which is a joint venture between a Chilean mining consultancy and legal group and Strategia Worldwide, from March 2020. Shirreff is widely quoted in the media. For example, he writes about “How the West will come to a bloody end in World War 3 …” in a Daily Mail updated on 18 September 2025, with his byline, “General Richard Shirreff”. Similar sentiments can be found in a Mirror article dated 22 March 2025. He is also quoted in a Telegraph article dated 15 December 2025, co-authored with Hamish de Bretton-Gordon, about spending on defence and only disclosed as, “General Sir Richard Shirreff is a former Deputy Supreme Commander Europe, NATO”. In a Times Radio segment in January 2026, Shirreff was introduced to audiences primarily through his former rank and NATO role while urging Europe and Canada to “call the bluff” by putting British troops into Greenland to deter “any aggression, whether Russian, Chinese, or indeed, American”, describing this approach as “absolutely the future of NATO.” In that framing, there is no meaningful disclosure of his post-military portfolio, despite him being a founding partner of Strategia Worldwide, a risk-management consultancy, alongside other advisory and commercial roles in the security and risk ecosystem. Again in a self-authored Daily Mail article dated 8 January 2026 on Britain not having the money or manpower to stand by Ukraine long-term, he is only referred to as General and Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe for NATO.
12. Sir Peter Wall
General Sir Peter Anthony Wall, GCB, CBE, DL is a retired British Army officer who served as the Chief of the General Staff, the professional head of the British Army, until September 2014. According to his LinkedIn About section, Wall is “now Director of Amicus, a strategic leadership consultancy, specializing in imparting military leadership and organisational techniques in the commercial world … Peter is a director of the General Dynamics Corporation and Chairman of FGP Group, a precision engineering business in SW England. He is President of Combat Stress, the UK military mental health charity.” Wall is quoted in a Feb 2026 LBC piece advocating for increased defence spending; only his military and Combat Stress roles are disclosed.
13. Ben Wallace
Sir Robert Ben Lobban Wallace is a British politician and former British Army Officer who served as Secretary of State for Defence from 2019 to 2023. Wallace is a Partner at BOKA Capital, an investment firm helping guide investment decisions into tech sectors relevant to defence and national security; and a Senior Adviser at CTRD Ltd, a consultancy working on reform, governance and security for clients including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. He is also a Non-executive Director at Advanced Innergy Holdings since April 2025. Wallace is quoted only as ‘former Defence Secretary’ in a Telegraph article dated 7 August 2025, about the Russian Ukrainian conflict. Similarly, in a London Loves Business article dated 8 January 2026, Wallace is referred to as ‘Conservative defence secretary’ when discussing that the British Army is not strong enough to serve on operations to defend Ukraine. And again, on 20 January 2026, Wallace is referred to as ‘former defence secretary’ in a ukdj article re modern warfare straining military data security.
14. Alan West
Alan William John West, Baron West of Spithead, GCB, DSC, PC is a retired admiral of the Royal Navy and formerly, from June 2007 to May 2010, a Labour Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at the British Home Office with responsibility for security, and a security advisor to Prime Minister Gordon Brown. According to the Parliamentary Register of Interests, he is Chairman at Spearfish Security Ltd, which is a risk management organisation for groups working in “fragile environments and conflict areas”; Non-executive Director at MCM Solutions, which handles the management and extraction of data from digital and non-digital sources; and a Member of the Advisory Board at Kraken Technology Group Ltd, a maritime innovation tech company. He also has shareholdings in Security Exhibitions Ltd and Response Exhibitions Ltd. It is noted that as a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for the Armed Forces he attends regular meetings at which the value of the hospitality received over the course of a calendar year exceeds the registration threshold of £300. West is also a member of the House of Lords Defence Group and attends regular meetings at which the value of the hospitality received over the course of a calendar year exceeds the registration threshold of £300. Baron West is quoted in a Nation Cymru article dated 31 October 2025 saying, “What is needed now is commitment to major arms supplies and long-range weapons. … The important message to Putin, I think, is also delivered through NATO increasing defence spending.” No mention is made of his various vested interests. Similarly, in a London Loves Business article dated 4 March 2026, Baron West is quoted as Baron and former first Sea Lord regarding his concern over the ‘parlous state of the Royal Navy’.
15. Penny Mordaunt
A slightly different but still relevant example comes with Dame Penny Mordaunt, an ex Royal Navy Reservist from 2010-2019, with an honorary rank of Commander awarded in 2019, and an honorary rank of Captain awarded in 2021. Dame Mordaunt is most recognised as a former British Politician who served as Lord President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons from 2022 until 2024. She was the MP for Portsmouth North from 2010 to 2024 and as a member of the Conservative Party, she ran for the party leadership in 2022, losing to Liz Truss. In the 2024 general election, Dame Penny lost her Portsmouth North seat to Labour’s Amanda Martin. Dame Penny began a paid part-time role with British American Tobacco in April 2025, and became the new chair of the board of defence maritime technology company, Sub Sea Craft (SSC), in January of the same year. The announcement statement on SSC’s website reads: “British advanced maritime technology company SubSea Craft (SSC) has announced the appointment of former Secretary of State for Defence and Leader of the House of Commons, the Rt Hon Penny Mordaunt, as its new company Chair. The appointment follows the announcement of the defence start-up’s second international partnership for overseas manufacture support. Having recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Athens-based Skaramangas Shipyards, the company is looking to establish a foothold in Europe to provide the Hellenic Navy and NATO allies with stronger access to its maritime technology, including its flagship covert submersible craft, VICTA.” Dame Penny is quoted in a Sun Article from 15 June 2025 as ‘Former Navy Reservist’ warning the consequence will be ‘incalculably grave’ if the government does not open up the treasury purse. She told The Sun, “I’m confident if you prepare for war, you invest in it, you train for it, then conflicts don’t start”. No mention is made of her relevant appointment at SSC.
16. Greg Bagwell
Gregory Bagwell CBE is a retired senior Royal Air Force Commander who served as Deputy Commander (Operations) at RAF Air Command. He was in service from 1981 to 2016. According to LinkedIn, he was Strategic Advisor, Executive Vice President Business Development, Employer Pension Trustee, and Executive Director from July 2017 to October 2025 all at Cobham. Cobham is a global technology and services company specialising in aerospace and defence. Bagwell has also served as Advisor at Ultra Electronics Group from November 2023 to October 2025, and is currently Partnerships Director at NATS from October 2022 (the UK’s leading provider of air traffic control services), President of the Air and Space Power Association (ASPA) from November 2016, and most recently, Chief Executive & Senior Consultant at Defence Insights Ltd (from October 2025). Air Marshall Bagwell is quoted regularly in various outlets, without mention of the above roles. For example, he is quoted in The Standard on 5 March 2022; ‘Former Air Marshal Greg Bagwell said a no-fly zone could be run by the United Nations, rather than NATO.’ He is also quoted in the Defense Mirror on 31 March 2025; ‘Retired British Air Marshal Greg Bagwell has shot down fears of a U.S. “kill switch” disabling allied F-35 jets but cautioned that heavy reliance on American suppliers could slowly erode their combat readiness.’ On 13 January 2026, he is again referred to as ‘ex-RAF Air Marshal” in an iPaper article re how Britain could help Trump in relation to strikes on Iran. No mention of his Cobham or Defence Insights roles are made.
17. Richard Barrons
Sir Richard Barrons is a retired British Army Officer, who served as the Commander of Joint Forces Command from April 2013 until his retirement in April 2016. He is currently the founder and co-chairman of Universal Defence and Security Solutions (UDSS), a London-based strategic consultancy and advisory firm that provides military, government, and corporate security services globally. USDD is a member of ADS; the UK trade association advancing leadership in aerospace, defence, security and space, to enable prosperity and growth. Importantly, the ADS Manifesto calls on the UK government to treat defence spending not just as a security imperative but as a strategic economic investment. It might also be noted that Mark Poffley, director at Elbit Systems UK (weapons firm), sits on the board at UDSS. Sir Richard had an advisory role on the government 2025 UK Strategic Defence Review. In this role he consulted with the industry, including Lockheed Martin, to shape recommendations for UK defence and procurement priorities. In several parliamentary hearings, Sir Richard has discussed analysis provided by Lockheed Martin. Sir Richard can be found providing commentary in a Times article dated 3 May 2026, warning ‘that a lack of (defence) investment was “depleting” the industrial base and driving defence firms abroad.’ He also stated that the MoD should be given £10 billion extra a year. He is referred to only as a former military chief and General. Sir Richard also self-authored a Sun article dated 11 April 2026 arguing for the need to find another £10 billion a year for defence. Again, he is referred to only as General, former Commander of Joint Forces Command, and co-author of the government’s Strategic Defence Review, with no mention of his prominent role at UDSS.
18. Tim Collins
Tim Collins is a retired Colonel from the British Army. He is best known for the eve-of-battle speech before the Iraq War in 2003, which was widely reported. He is currently the chairman and co-founder of intelligence-based security services company Horus Security Consultancy Ltd which works extensively in the defence sector. Their services in this area are tailored to government and military clients. He also unsuccessfully stood for the Ulster Unionist Party in the seat of North Down in the 2024 United Kingdom general election. Colonel Collins self-authored an ipaper article dated 12 December 2025 re ‘the state of our weaponry’. He says ‘ammunition stocks are low and not being replenished. Britain no longer possesses the industrial depth to refill these stores and must compete in international markets at inflated prices, the cost of which our defence budget cannot sustain.’ No mention is made of his vested interests – he is just quoted as ‘Retired British Army colonel, speaker and author’. In another self-authored Telegraph Article dated 20 November 2025, Colonel Collins writes about the ‘pitiable condition’ of the Army and SAS, with no mention of his current yet highly relevant private-sector role.
19. Richard Dannatt
Richard (Baron) Dannatt is a retired senior British Army officer (Chief of the General Staff from 2006 to 2009) and member of the House of Lords. He became a paid adviser to the US defence company Teledyne Technologies in 2022. This Guardian article notes the concern re Dannatt’s input into the Palestine Action investigation after the group targeted a Teledyne factory in Wales. In 2012, Lord Dannatt was recorded offering to lobby Bernard Gray regarding drone sales to the UK military on behalf of a South Korean company. This offer was part of an investigation into former officials using contacts for private defense contracts, with Dannatt later stating he was only assessing product viability. Further, in March 2025 The Guardian reported it had filmed Dannatt telling undercover reporters he could make introductions to government ministers for a potential client who wanted to lobby the government. Dannatt was subsequently suspended from the House of Lords in November 2025 for four months over lobbying breaches. In a recent GB News article dated 8 March 2026, Lord Dannatt is quoted around ‘the dire state of our defence capability’ with only reference to his ‘ex-head of British Army’ title and no mention of Teledyne.
The media’s failings?
As this report has detailed, AOAV’s research has found repeated failures by major British media organisations to properly disclose the commercial interests of retired senior military figures presented to audiences as independent defence experts.
The Telegraph stood out for its repeatedly having published commentary and opinion from former senior military figures advocating increased defence spending or military escalation without adequately disclosing their commercial defence interests. However, similar failures also appeared across the Daily Mail, Express, The Independent, iPaper, The Sun, LBC, Sky News, Times Radio, and Channel 4 News.
Importantly, the missing information was rarely difficult to obtain. Most affiliations were easily and publicly available through company websites, parliamentary registers, LinkedIn profiles, or Companies House filings. The issue is not that these veterans have ever hide their corporation affiliations. The issue is more a failure of editorial scrutiny.
AOAV’s Recommendations
Transparency in reporting is crucial to public trust. While former military leaders bring valuable expertise, undisclosed roles or interests can undermine credibility and reliability.
Media organisations can address this by:
- Introducing mandatory industry disclosure for all military commentators
Journalists should have a knee-jerk process of disclosing any significant and relevant current roles including directorships, advisory positions, or financial interests when quoting from senior military officers as expert commentators on defence and security matters. - Strengthening editorial due diligence processes
Basic background checks using readily available open-source information (as demonstrated within this report) should be embedded as standard editorial practice when commissioning defence and security commentators. The onus, in other words, should be on the journalist, not the interviewee, towards disclosure. - Actively broadening the pool of voices beyond military figures
Media organisations should broaden the range of voices in their defence reporting to avoid allegations of bias and to ensure a more balanced public debate.
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