Members and staff attend Association’s AGM 2019

Audience AGM 2019

On Tuesday 19th March 2019, members from across our six counties gathered for the Association’s AGM.

President and Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Mrs Helen Nellis CStJ BA (Hons), MA Barrister, led proceedings alongside Chairman Mr Ian Twinley DL and Chief Executive Colonel Ray Wilkinson QVRM TD DL VR.

Chairman Mr Ian Twinley delivered his first annual report congratulating the volunteer membership for their dedicated support and highlighting work carried out by the Association’s staff during the past 12 months. 

The Association’s AGM is a showcase event; bringing together our Lord-Lieutenants, membership, key influencers from across the region and our units. It is one of the few regional opportunities where all of the single Services can gather to share experiences and create synergies. 

This year we had two keynote speakers. Firstly, Commodore David Elford OBE ADC, Commander, Navy Regional Command Eastern England, who is responsible for the coherence of engagement activities & resilience planning across the UK with the specific aim of ensuring that the Royal Navy is understood, respected & valued by society in general.

Commodore Elford provided valuable insight into the Navy’s current Defence capabilities and discussed future plans with regards to ship building, manning and recruitment. 

Then, Group Captain Gavin Hellard ADC VR, Inspector RAuxAF, the senior professional reservist within the RAF, addressed the room. He took the audience on a whistle stop tour through all of the different roles available within the RAF Reserves and discussed the importance of working with employers to ensure mutually beneficial relationships evolve; benefiting the reservist, employer and Service.

Three individuals were congratulated on their contributions to the Association. Major John Caiger, Cadet Executive Officer, Essex Army Cadet Force was presented with his Certificate for Long Service (15 years) and Good Conduct.

Group Captain David Ray RAF, our Vice Chairman (Air) received recognition for volunteering with the Association for nearly ten years, representing the needs of the RAuxAF units and RAF Air Cadets. We are grateful for his commitment and wish him well in his retirement.  

Finally, we wished our Head of Business Services, Mr Nick Stephens a very happy retirement after 19 years with the Association. 

Our Annual Report is available now.

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