Dennis Richardson AO AC had a 48-year career in the Australian public service including as secretary of the Department of Defence, secretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, director general of ASIO, advisor to the Prime Minister, and ambassador to the US.
Mr Richardson is Patron of the RSPCA in the ACT and serves on several boards including Linfox, the National Capital Authority, and his beloved Canberra Raiders.
In 2003, Mr Richardson was appointed an Officer of the Order of Australia. In 2019, he was appointment Companion of the Order of Australia for eminent service to public administration through leadership roles in the national security, defence and foreign policy arenas, and to workplace cultural reform.