Join us for thought-provoking discussions on the big issues of today

We’re delighted to announce the return of our Cumberland Conversations – offering fresh perspectives on some of the most pressing challenges facing society today.

Join us here at Cumberland Lodge for the chance to engage with influential voices in business, politics, biodiversity, science, war, education, espionage, the arts, and more.

They’ll share insights and reflections on the tough decisions they’ve faced in their careers, and the ethical leadership lessons they’ve learned along the way.

Supporting our work

By attending a Conversation, you’re supporting our charitable mission – the funds raised through ticket sales help us grow the next generation of ethical youth leaders through our educational programmes.

Please book early as tickets are limited.

You can book your ticket by clicking here.

A Conversation with Lord Dannatt GCB CBE MC DL

Richard Dannatt was a soldier for 40 years, serving extensively in Northern Ireland, Germany and the Balkans, concluding his army career as Commander of the NATO Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, Commander in Chief UK Land Command and finally as Chief of the General Staff from 2006 to 2009 during the British Army’s campaigns in Iraq and Afghanistan. He was Constable of the Tower of London from 2009 to 2016, overseeing the “Poppies in the Moat” commemoration of the centenary of the First World War in 2014. He remains passionate about the welfare of serving and veteran military personnel and with the late Bryn Parry co-founded Help for Heroes in 2007.

In 2011 he entered the House of Lords as a Crossbench member. He has served on the Rural Economy Committee, the Joint Committee on the National Security Strategy and the Ecclesiastical Committee. He was the founding Chairman of the National Emergencies Trust and led the Trust’s Coronavirus Appeal in 2020 which raised just under £100million, distributed around the country through the Community Foundation network and other national charities. He is now President of that charity. He also chairs the Normandy Memorial Trust which has built the new British Memorial in Normandy and chairs the Gloucester 1682 Trust which is working to tell the story of the wreck of the Gloucester which sank on 6th May 1682 carrying the future King James II.

Richard Dannatt is on the International Advisory Group of the US defence company, Teledyne-FLIR, and a senior adviser to the Sanctuary Counsel in Westminster. He is a frequent commentator in the media on current affairs. He enjoys writing and published Leading from the Front, an autobiography in 2010, Boots on the Ground – Britain and her Army since 1945 in 2016, Victory to Defeat – The British Army 1918 to 1940 (with Robert Lyman) in 2023 and Churchill’s D-Day (with Allen Packwood) in 2024. His latest book: Korea – War without End (with Robert Lyman) will be published in May this year to mark the 75th anniversary of the outbreak of the Korean War.

He runs the family arable farm in Norfolk and was President of the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association in 2008. He is also President of Norfolk Churches Trust, YMCA Norfolk, the Army Benevolent Fund in Norfolk and Patron of the Royal British Legion in Norfolk. He loves cricket, still playing occasionally for the Keswick Cocks and the Old Contemptibles, and loves watching football (Norwich City season ticket holder) and rugby and plays golf rather indifferently. He has four children, twelve grandchildren and his wife, Philippa, is HM Lord-Lieutenant of Norfolk. He is a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London and of Norfolk. He has been Churchwarden of All Saints Intwood cum Keswick for over 30 years (off and on) and is a Trustee of Norwich Cathedral Trust.

Format

Guests are invited to join us from 5.45pm on Thursday 24 April for refreshments before taking a seat for the Conversation by 6pm.

The Conversation will take place in Flitcroft, in The Mews conference centre at Cumberland Lodge. A short drinks reception will follow from 7.30pm to 8pm and tickets include a glass of wine, prosecco or soft drink.

You can find out more about our Cumberland Conversations series of events by clicking here.