Sir Nick Houghton | |
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General Sir Nicholas Houghton in 2013
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Born |
Otley, West Yorkshire |
18 October 1954
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/branch | British Army |
Years of service | 1974–2016 |
Rank | General |
Service number | 497441 |
Commands held |
Chief of the Defence Staff (2013–16) Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff (2009–13) Chief of Joint Operations (2006–09) 39th Infantry Brigade (1997–99) 1st Battalion, the Green Howards (1991–94) |
Battles/wars |
The Troubles Iraq War |
Awards |
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Bath Commander of the Order of the British Empire Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States) Knight Grand Commander of the Order of Military Service (Malaysia) |
Other work | Constable of the Tower (2016–present) |
General Sir John Nicholas Reynolds "Nick" Houghton, GCB, CBE, ADC Gen (born 18 October 1954) is a retired senior British Army officer and former Chief of the Defence Staff of the British Armed Forces. He was appointed in 2013, following the retirement of General Sir David Richards. He served as Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, the Green Howards in Northern Ireland during The Troubles and later became Commander of 39 Infantry Brigade in Northern Ireland. He was deployed as Senior British Military Representative and Deputy Commanding General, Multi-National Force – Iraq during the Iraq War. Later, he became Chief of Joint Operations at Permanent Joint Headquarters and served as Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff until assuming his current position. In January 2016, the government announced that Houghton would be replaced by Sir Stuart Peach as Chief of the Defence Staff in the summer of 2016. Houghton handed over to Peach on 14 July 2016.