The Essence of Leadership: General Sir James Everard and the Call for “Total Defence

The Essence of Leadership: General Sir James Everard and the Call for 'Total Defence' (Rory Lewis Photographer)

Portraiture, at its best, does more than record a likeness—it preserves leadership, responsibility, and history. In this portrait of General Sir James Everard, recently featured in The Telegraph, the aim was to convey not only authority, but the gravity of command carried by one of Britain’s most experienced senior officers.

A veteran of operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq, and Afghanistan, Sir James has devoted his career to the defence of the realm. His service—and his voice—speak to the realities facing the British Army today, particularly at a time when numbers have fallen to their lowest since the Napoleonic era.

In his Telegraph interview, Sir James warns against what he describes as “self-harming” cost-cutting measures that erode national security. He calls instead for a renewed commitment to total defence—a model embraced by nations such as Norway, Sweden, and Finland—where civilians are prepared to play an active role in national resilience.

The message is unambiguous: defence is not solely the responsibility of those in uniform. It is a collective endeavour. As Sir James reminds us, “If you want peace, prepare for war,” advocating for stronger regular and reserve forces as a credible alternative to conscription.

The Essence of Leadership: General Sir James Everard and the Call for 'Total Defence' (Rory Lewis Photographer)

This portrait was created during Sir James’s tenure as Commander Army Land Forces, photographed at Army Headquarters in Andover as part of Soldiery—a long-term body of work dedicated to documenting modern military leadership. When directing the sitting, the intention was to distil leadership into a single frame: composure under pressure, clarity of purpose, and the quiet weight of responsibility.

Inspired by Holbein’s enduring portraits of authority, the image seeks to prompt reflection—inviting the viewer to consider not only the individual, but the burden of command in an increasingly uncertain world.

For Rory Lewis Non-Profit, works such as this serve a dual purpose: honouring those who lead, and preserving moments of national significance through fine-art portraiture. In doing so, they contribute to a wider public dialogue—one in which art becomes a bridge between service, history, and collective responsibility.