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Our Team

  • Staff
  • Trustees

Colonel (Retd) Richard Walker OBE

Chief Executive

Richard joined The Not Forgotten in September 2022, coming to us from the Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) where he was Head of Engineering Services.

Before that Richard served in the British Army for 25 years, Commissioned into the Royal Engineers from RMA Sandhurst in 1994.

Following service in Airborne Commando and Gurkha units, he later instructed at RMA Sandhurst and commanded The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers Regiment. During his Army career he served on operations globally, including multiple tours of Afghanistan.  His final appointment was Head of British Army International Interoperablilty Programme. He is currently Chairman of The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers Association.

Richard is married with two teenage children and lives in Surrey. His interests are both challenging and practical: telemark skiing, kayaking, surfing, cycling and motorsport.

Contact Richard: richard@thenotforgotten.org

 

Steve Bates

Head of Business Operations and Finance

Steve joined The Not Forgotten in June 2023, coming to us from the Army Rugby Union Trust where he was Head of Finance for five years; previous to that he held senior HR roles including with National Express and within the military.

A proud veteran himself, Steve started his distinguished soldiering career with 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery before commissioning into the Adjutant Generals Corps where he served with 36 Engineer Regiment, 10 Queens Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment, and finished at the Irish Guards in Hounslow.

Steve describes himself as a ‘broken sportsman who still enjoys watching others do it’; he is married with two children and lives in Hampshire.

Contact Steve: steve@thenotforgotten.org

 

Rosie Thompson MBE

Head of Events

Rosie has been our Head of Events since 1998 and during that time has met many thousands of veterans – all of whom inspire her. Rosie’s passions are any outdoors activity – except sailing! She has a real love of animals, especially her beloved cocker spaniel, Bridie. When not working – which is rare – she is busy raising money in a variety of ways for The Not Forgotten.

She has completed 24 marathons, many half marathons and several long distance challenges. In 2017 she fulfilled a long-held ambition to successfully complete the Marathon Des Sables “The Toughest Footrace on Earth” and is now the proud owner of a much treasured medal.

Contact Rosie: rosie@thenotforgotten.org

Louise Coopman

Head of Communications & Engagement

Louise joined The Not Forgotten team on a part-time freelance basis in September 2022, before becoming permanent Head of Communications in April 2023.
She has 15 years’ experience in marketing and communications; initially specialising in the cultural sector in roles in London theatre and museums, before setting up her own freelance business.

Louise has worked with a whole variety of businesses, organisations and charities from small start-ups to multinational brands.

Married to an RAF veteran, with four children under 10, Louise’s years of experience as a ‘military wife’ gives her a real personal connection to and passion for the aims and activities of The Not Forgotten and she is thrilled to be part of such a life-changing organisation.

Contact Louise: louise@thenotforgotten.org

Mary Spillane

Head of Fundraising

Armed with a degree in Psychology and a passion for social justice, Mary arrived at The Not Forgotten in June 2023 bringing more than 20 years of experience from across the UK and international voluntary sector.

Using her strategic planning and change management expertise she has spent the past five years assisting charities in raising their profile and generating new income.

Mary has worked with Victim Support, Mencap, Leonard Cheshire, Dreams Come True, Doctors of the World UK and Coram amongst many other charities.

With husband Brian, Mary enjoys being part of a wide social circle, cooking for family and friends, keeping a wild country garden filled with colourful flowers and herbs, and travelling to warmer climates as often as possible.

Contact Mary: mary@thenotforgotten.org

 

Ian Brand

Grants Officer

Having worked at the MoD for 3 decades, Ian lived in Croatia for a couple of years before returning to the UK and joining The Not Forgotten. His main role as Grants Officer is the vital task of generating the income needed for our events, by applying to civilian and military organisations for funding.

Now residing in a small village in Northern Lincolnshire, Ian spends his free time enjoying the great outdoors – be it walking, running or cycling and avidly following any cricket he can find.

Contact Ian: ian@thenotforgotten.org

Anne McGinley

Assistant to Head of Events

Anne joined The Not Forgotten in 1999. She previously worked for the United Nations in Geneva, New York and Damascus before returning to England as P.A. to the President of a large international record company. 

Anne helps Rosie to organise the charity’s busy programme of activities, liaising with veterans’ organisations and our beneficiaries as well as representing the charity at events. She has a daughter and two stepchildren and enjoys walking, chalk painting, trips to the theatre, visiting museums and exhibitions.

Contact Anne: anne@thenotforgotten.org

Karlie Smith

Office Manager

Karlie joined The Not Forgotten in 2019 with 12 years’ experience in the charity sector, where she has fine tuned her office management skills. Karlie is responsible for making sure our office runs smoothly, covering everything from the database to making sure we have enough ink in the printer. Karlie is often the friendly voice on the other end of the phone when you give us a call to discuss your registration with the charity, and ensures that your details are up to date for any events that you may be attending.

Having grown up in Cyprus, Karlie moved to London aged 24 and now lives in south east London, where she loves walking, reading, swimming and spending time with her two grown up sons.

Contact Karlie: karlie@thenotforgotten.org

Lorraine Plummer

Merchandise and Fundraising Coordinator

Lorraine joined The Not Forgotten as an official volunteer in 2015, following a successful career in Retail Merchandising and Supply Chain. With her wealth of experience and expertise in the retail industry, Lorraine became a part-time member of staff in September 2016 to help us launch our hugely popular webstore.

When not acting as The Not Forgotten’s guru on all things merchandise-related, Lorraine can be found walking Pelé the Hungarian Vizsla or learning Spanish with her husband Barry and two children, Benjamin and Sienna.

Contact Lorraine: lorraine@thenotforgotten.org

Admiral of The Fleet

Sir Benjamin Bathurst

GCB DL
Air Vice-Marshal

Elaine West

CBE
General

The Lord Dannatt

GCB CBE MC DL
Air Chief Marshal

Sir Stephen Dalton

GCB ADC FRAeS
Major General

Sir Christopher Airy

KCVO CBE
Lieutenant Colonel

T J Tedder

Brigadier

R J Heywood

OBE DL
Colonel

Piers Storie-Pugh

OBE TD DL
Chair

Mr Mark Nicholls

Vice Chair

Dr Kate Goble

MBBS MRCGP DipOccMed
Treasurer

Mr Paul Botterill


(Also a member of the General Committee)
Chaplain

Rev. (Col Retd) Peter Hewlett-Smith

OBE

Mr Jeremy Archer

Commodore

Jim Scorer

FNI FCMI

Ms Lisa Gibbard

Group Captain

Jacqueline Gross

RRC

Mr Glenn Hurstfield

Mr Tom Long

Mr Stephen Neel

Colonel

James Partridge

TD DL

Mr Simon Post

Mr Francis Roseman

Mr

David Mason

MBE


Presidents

Admiral of The Fleet

Sir Benjamin Bathurst

GCB DL
Air Vice-Marshal

Elaine West

CBE
General

The Lord Dannatt

GCB CBE MC DL
Air Chief Marshal

Sir Stephen Dalton

GCB ADC FRAeS


Vice-presidents

Major General

Sir Christopher Airy

KCVO CBE
Lieutenant Colonel

T J Tedder

Brigadier

R J Heywood

OBE DL
Colonel

Piers Storie-Pugh

OBE TD DL


Chair & Vice Chair

Chair

Mr Mark Nicholls

Vice Chair

Dr Kate Goble

MBBS MRCGP DipOccMed


Honorary Appointments

Treasurer

Mr Paul Botterill


(Also a member of the General Committee)
Chaplain

Rev. (Col Retd) Peter Hewlett-Smith

OBE


General Committee

Mr Jeremy Archer

Commodore

Jim Scorer

FNI FCMI

Ms Lisa Gibbard

Group Captain

Jacqueline Gross

RRC

Mr Glenn Hurstfield

Mr Tom Long

Mr Stephen Neel

Colonel

James Partridge

TD DL

Mr Simon Post

Mr Francis Roseman

Mr

David Mason

MBE