Sir Rick Thompson KCB CBE

Sir Rick Thompson spent 40 years serving in the Royal Navy as an air engineer officer within the Fleet Air Arm, retiring from active duty in 2024 as a Vice Admiral. His early career was dominated by operational tours as a maintenance officer leading Naval Air Squadrons embarked on ships across the Fleet. His seagoing tours culminated in the role of Commander Air Engineer of the Fleet Flag Ship HMS ARK ROYAL.

Separating his seagoing tours with numerous engineering, logistics and programme management positions in major projects such as the EH101 Merlin Helicopter and Queen Elizabeth class carriers, he was the Programme Director for the UK’s F35 Lightning II programme, leading the design, development, integration and certification activity over a 20-year period.

Appointed Rear Admiral in 2016, Sir Rick was the Technical Director and UK certifying authority within the Military Aviation Authority and the Deputy Director General for the Defence Safety Authority overseeing certification, approvals, assurance and regulation. Seconded to industry for 2 years as a Managing Director of a start-up Joint Venture, this role helped shape the pathway for talent development between industry and the MOD.

In his final MOD role as a Vice Admiral, Sir Rick was the Director General Air, responsible for the procurement, operational support and airworthiness of all UK fixed wing military aircraft and Uncrewed Systems. This role was also the Chief of Materiel to the Royal Air Force as a Board Member and UK representative to many international organisations.

Sir Rick joined MTC as the first Managing Director for Defence in February 2025.