President and Chairman of Veterans Aid, Brigadier Johnny Rickett CBE, is to step down after 11 years in the role. He has served the charity for 20 years having joined as a Trustee in 1994.
Uniquely, he will retain links with the charity that he has served with pride for so many years by becoming its first Honorary Life President.
Brigadier Rickett is succeeded by Colonel (Retd) Paul Cummings ( pictured far left) who takes over at the 82-year-old charity for Veterans in Crisis on August 14th.
Col Cummings was Director Grants and Welfare at ABF The Soldiers Charity from 2006 until his retirement in June 2014. He holds several voluntary posts and was an officer in The Royal Logistics Corps from 1971-2004.
He said, “Having worked closely with Veterans Aid over the past eight years and witnessed first hand the amazing support it gives to men and women who often have nowhere else to turn, I am delighted to have been asked to take over from Brigadier Johnny as the Chair of Trustees. With its national, indeed international, footprint this Charity is absolutely in the frontline, delivering an unparalleled service to veterans.
“Extensive refurbishment and development is poised to start so this is an exciting time for the Charity and its supporters and I am really looking forward to being part of such a dynamic and life changing organisation.”
Col Cummings, who lives in North Luffenham, has been associated with Veterans Aid since 2006. His interests include photography and military history.
Brigadier Rickett, 75, a former ADC to her Majesty The Queen and Comptroller of The Union Jack Club, received a Queen’s Commendation for Brave Conduct in 1964 and was mentioned in despatches in 1974. He lives in Gloucestershire and has been Director of Battlefield Tours since 2005.
