Meet The Team

VCN SERVICES DIRECTOR & PEER MENTOR: BEDFORDSHIRE & NORTHAMPTONSHIRE

I founded The Veterans Community Network in 2019 and, as well as the founder member, I am VCN Service Director. I have over 25 years’ experience working in mental health and substance misuse services with both the statutory and third sector providers. Prior to this current role, my last post was working in the NHS as a Service Manager in substance misuse services. 

PEER MENTOR CLUSTER LEAD - WEST: BUCKINGHAMSHIRE, OXFORDSHIRE AND BERKSHIRE (B.O.B) & BEDFORDSHIRE LEAD FOR FINDING VETERANS IN CARE HOMES.

I am a veteran of the army having served with the RAMC for 9 years.

Since leaving the army, I have worked as a nurse in various organisations including Prisons and the NHS.

After taking early retirement in 2023, I decided to have a change of direction away from nursing and look to how I can support my former colleagues who like me, are veterans of military service. I am delighted to now be one of VCN’s peer mentors, working as the  Southeast Thrive Together Network Cluster Lead – West, covering Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and West Berkshire.

THERAPEUTIC GARDENING PEER MENTOR

Hello I`m Mark.

THERAPEUTIC GARDENING PEER MENTOR, in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes, and also in Northamptonshire.

I served for about 13 years in the Royal Tank Regiment, I have completed 1 operational tour of Northern Ireland, and 8 years front line service in Germany.
After taking medical retirement from Royal Mail after 26 years, a have a new beginning and a chance to give back to the forces community.

FINANCE MANAGER

I work part time as an employed member of the VCN team as the Finance Manager for VCN, working on all the business administration elements to support VCN in the background. I have approximately 15 years experience in a variety of administration roles, a BTEC National Diploma in Business Studies, qualified to Associate Level CIPD Membership in Human Resources and an AAT Certificate in Bookkeeping with plans to further my education in order to continue to provide additional support to VCN in the near future. I have personal experience living with and supporting a Veteran within close family and therefore have an understanding and appreciation for the support and service that VCN offers to Veterans.

VCN TRUSTEE

 A career soldier, joining the Army Apprentices College Harrogate at 16 years of age and completing over 38 years’ service in the Royal Corps of Signals attaining the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Service life has provided the opportunity to serve in many locations around the world, including on operational deployments across the globe.

I hope to bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from the many varied roles held during my military career that will help maintain the strong reputation that the Veteran Community Network has already established.

I truly value the opportunity I now have to contribute towards the development of the Veteran Community Network’s great work.

VCN CHAIR

 A proud veteran, I served 30 years in the British Army, attaining the rank of Major with deployments on UK and NATO operations in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. With a personal understanding of how transition from the military can be challenging, I am committed to supporting those who find difficulty in their routine and life as a consequence of service. As the Business and Finance Trustee for the Veterans Community Network, I bring extensive experience in business management, finance, and process improvement to help VCN continue making a lasting difference for veterans and their families. 

VCN TREASURER 

I have combined a 40 year career in the financial sector, alongside 19 years serving in the Army Reserves where I achieved the rank of Wo2, later going on to be commissioned.  I am also married to a 22 year man, who has 15 additional years of service with the Reserves - so the military is in our blood, we both hail from military families and we are veterans ourselves.

I have operated my own professional practice since 2002, where I specialise in personal insolvency and corporate restructuring.  This often involves helping individuals with day to day budgeting, identifying their key personal needs and priority payments, whilst organising affordable payment plans for their debts.  The transition from military to civilian life can be daunting, and the period of adjustment brings many challenges where a helping hand can be very welcome to navigate the benefits, housing and welfare systems, income tax and pensions legislation and employment law.  I am also experienced in mentoring new-start SMEs.

In my role as Treasurer to the charity, I will ensure that every penny of our valued donations goes to the heart of veteran service users, by supporting our management team with financial governance and by growing our volunteer network.  I will also contribute to the effort of finding new donors, so that the charity can expand its offering and continue to thrive in line with the vision of its founders.

VCN TRUSTEE

A British Army veteran, who was privileged to attain the rank of Major in a fabulous and vastly varied 35 year career. This saw me embarking on Operational tours in Northern Ireland, Afghanistan and Iraq. Looking forward to doing all that I can in playing any part, great or small, to improve the life of anyone who is experiencing difficulty since leaving any form of service.

Transition to civilian life has been difficult enough, but the deep respect for everyone that I gained and complete trust in the investment of time and effort, reaping reward in the development of others, drives me to do good.

I too have extensive experience in senior management and business finance and administration. 

I am honoured to take up a Trustee role within VCN, and do my level best to multiply the efforts therein.

VCN TRUSTEE

Joined the British Army in 1993 and still going.  Served all over the world with Operational tours in Bosnia, Northern Ireland, Iraq, Cyprus and Estonia with many overseas exercises mixed in.  Has worked at all levels within the Army from teeth arms units to formation headquarters as well as supporting civilian authorities during national emergencies.

A keen organiser and helper with a forward leaning ‘can do’ approach; always willing to help others and find problems to solutions with satisfaction coming from the positive end result.

Rugby enthusiast with coaching at the local Rugby Club and managing the Adjutant Generals Corps Rugby team in the British Army helping the children, soldiers and officers to develop not only their playing skills but also themselves.

Very excited to be a Trustee with VCN, meeting the challenge on head and helping Veterans.