Wing Staff Biographies

SL6 Sqn Ldr Mark Richards

Role: WSO – Wing Training Officer (Cadet Development)
Sqns: 1181, 2071, 2248 & 2195

Responsibilities:

As the Wing Training Officer (Cadet Development), Sqn Ldr Richards is responsible for the following aspects within South & East Midlands Wing:

  • Initial Cadet NCO Courses
  • Advanced Cadet NCO Courses
  • Cadet NCO Drill Instruction Courses
  • BASIC (Instructor Cadet) Training Courses
  • Staff Cadet Part 2 Examinations
  • Cadet Development Team
  • Wing Field Day
  • Wing contingent at Region Field Day
  • Connect (Wing Training Newsletter)
  • General Cadet Terms of Service and HQAC policy implementation

Biography:

  • Joined the ATC in January 1989 at 103 (Doncaster) Sqn, South Yorkshire Wing, North East Region.
  • Appointed as a Civilian Instructor in February 1996 and commissioned as a Pilot Officer in April 1998. Both appointments at 103 (Doncaster) Sqn.
  • Appointed Officer Commanding 103 (South Elmsall) Detached Flight in September 1999. Post held between September 1999 and July 2001.
  • Appointed Public Relations Officer for South & West Yorkshire Wing, North Region in 1999, post held between 1999 and 2000.
  • Promoted to Flying Officer in April 2000.
  • Promoted to Flight Lieutenant in September 2000 when 103 DF achieved F3 Status (the fore-runner to Squadron status).
  • Appointed as the first Officer Commanding of 23 (South Elmsall) Sqn, South & West Yorkshire Wing, North Region on the 1st August 2001. Post held between August 2001 and January 2002.
  • Appointed as Officer Commanding 138 (1st Nottingham) Sqn, South & East Midlands Wing, Central & East Region in January 2002. Post held between February 2002 and August 2005.
  • Appointed as Prospective Uniform Course Director for South & East Midlands Wing in 2002, post held between 2002 and 2005.
  • Joined the Wing Staff team for South & East Midlands Wing in August 2005 as the Wing Training Officer (Cadet Development).
  • Promoted to Squadron Leader in November 2006.
  • Sqn Ldr Richards is a Member of the Institute of Leadership & Management (MInstLM) and is also a Member of the Association for Project Management (MAPM).

Civilian Occupation:

Project Manager for a financial services group.