Rear Admiral Richards served in the Royal Australian Navy for over 36 years, bringing extensive experience in engineering, operations, strategic leadership, nuclear safety and regulation. In recognition of her distinguished service, she was awarded a Conspicuous Service Cross in 2014 and appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia in 2021.
During her naval service, Rear Admiral Richards served as Defence Seaworthiness Regulator and Naval Technical Regulator, where she was accountable for the safety and environmental performance of over a quarter of a million tonnes of military shipping. As Head of Naval Engineering, she led more than 5,000 naval engineers and oversaw all warship technical standards and policies, as well as the professional performance of all naval public sector and uniform engineers in the Defence portfolio. She also served as Head of Nuclear-Powered Submarine Design at the Department of Defence.
Rear Admiral Richards is currently Chief Engineer at Engineers Australia. She is also a former member of the Radiation Health Council of Australia, Nuclear Safety Committee of Australia, Five Eyes Safety Committee, Air Force Risk Board, Historical Honours and Awards Board, Chief of Navy’s Senior Advisory Committee and the Australian War Memorial Council (as the Naval representative for the Chief of Navy).
Rear Admiral Richards is an Honorary Fellow of Engineers Australia and holds post graduate qualifications in Nuclear Regulation (ANU), Master of Science in Marine Engineering (University College, London), Master of Arts (Deakin) and Master of Strategic Management (University of Canberra). She has also completed the Harvard Kennedy School short course in Public Sector Governance. Rear Admiral Richards graduated as the dux of her Navy Class and with First Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering from the Australian Defence Force Academy (UNSW).
Appointed: 24 March 2025
Term concludes: 23 March 2028