Royal Navy

Admiral Sir Tony Radakin is First Sea Lord and Chief of the Naval Staff, overseeing more than 30,000 personnel and a fleet of aircraft carriers, assault ships, submarines and more designed to protect UK interests at sea.

He joins James Ashton to discuss:

The new investment and recruitment needed to tackle changing threats abroad;

Taking life threatening decisions and fulfilling our duty in Afghanistan;

His career so far, including three command tours of Iraq;

The importance of not second guessing those above you;

And how to enjoy the role without being intimidated by the Royal Navy’s great legacy.

Admiral Radakin was commissioned in 1990 and operational service has seen him on security duties in the Falklands and countering smuggling in Hong Kong and the Caribbean. Command positions have included the Iraqi Maritime Task Force, the Portsmouth Naval Base and NATO’s High Readiness Maritime Component Commander.

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James Ashton’s book The Nine Types of Leader (bit.ly/NINEbook) is available now