What do we know about the man who is tipped for the top Armed Forces job?
Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton is tipped to be chosen as the next Chief of the Defence Staff.
It was reported that the head of the Royal Air Force will take over leadership of the UK Armed Forces from Admiral Sir Tony Radakin, who has been in the position for the past four years.
ACM Knighton, or Rich, as he prefers, joined the RAF as a university cadet in 1988 while studying Engineering at the University of Cambridge.
He is a career engineer now in his mid-50s and has had frontline roles working on the Nimrod Maritime Patrol aircraft, the Tornado jet and with the Harrier Force.
He also played a part in supporting operations during the Kosovo War in the 1990s.
Sir Rich has also done a stint as the RAF Wittering Station Commander.
His CV includes a range of staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence and Air Command, including Deputy Chief of Defence Staff.
Most notably, he became the first non-pilot to lead the RAF in its more than 100-year history when he was appointed Chief of the Air Staff in June 2023.
When he got the job, he emphasised how important air and space power is to UK security and vowed to continue modernising the RAF.
Sir Rich is also a big fan of winter sports and has been involved in military winter sports for more than a decade. He became president of the UK Armed Forces Winter Sports Association in June 2024.
He is also president of the RAF Winter Sports Federation, Hockey Association and Powerlifting Association.
He has said sport is an important part of building fighting spirit, leadership and organisational skills in the Armed Forces.
The MOD has refused to confirm that any appointment has been made.
A spokesperson said: "This is speculation. The appointment process is ongoing, and any announcement will be made in the usual way."
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