Jess Gilbert - Director
Jess is passionate about developing the lives of young people and joined the charity after over 10 years of working and volunteering in the education sector and is still serving as a Trustee for a local school. Along with this she brings experience of finance, marketing and even photography, bringing a variety of skills that have been key in shaping the direction of the charity.
Mark Osman - Chair of Trustees
From the ages of 16 to 19 Mark was an Air Cadet. At the age of 20 he was commissioned into the Royal Air Force and left 18 years later having achieved the rank of Wing Commander. He is a graduate of the Advanced Command and Staff Course where he won the best Defence Research Paper runner up prize and was awarded a Cormorant Fellowship by Kings College London.
Hetna Patel
Hetna Patel has over six years of experience in the insurance sector as a Finance Analyst and Account Technician, bringing a wealth of expertise in accountancy, communication, and collaboration. She holds a degree in Banking and Finance and has achieved the first level of the ACCA qualification, reflecting her commitment to continuous professional development.
Oliver Jones-Davies - Trustee
Joined CCLA in September 2009 as a Client Investments Director, prior to which he worked in investment management and investment banking. As a fund manager his responsibilities included the active management of cash, bonds and equities for high-net-worth individuals and charities.
Victoria Gridley - Trustee
CHpp and MCIPD
Victoria is a chartered Project and HR professional (CHpp and MCIPD) she has 15 years experience working in projects across a range of organisations: Local Government (Wycombe District Council), Transport for London and Central Government (Civil Service). She has managed projects within civil engineering, regeneration/urban realm, transport, IT/Technology, transformation and HR.
Norman Murray - Trustee
CBE CA FRSE
Norman was an RAF cadet warrant officer and the senior cadet at his school’s Combined Cadet Force during which time he completed his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award. These early character forming experiences were instrumental in determining his subsequent career in international business and in the pro bono charitable work he has undertaken.
Mike Neville - Trustee
CBE
Group Captain Mike Neville CBE joined the RAF in 1985. Six flying tours on the C130 Hercules interspersed with five ground tours including Cyprus, MOD and PJHQ saw Mike leave the Service in 2012 to help run the RAF Benevolent Fund. He rejoined the RAF in 2018 as a volunteer ex-regular reservist and continues in this role to the present day.
Stuart Ensor - Trustee
OBE
Joined Air Cadets in 1960, rising through the ranks to CWO, became a CI and then went on to become a Squadron OC. Stuart then became Special Projects and Dep Training Officer where he introduced the reciprocal funding of BTEC in Aviation Studies with Doncaster College resulting in the Wing being awarded an ‘Investors in People’ award.
Interested in becoming a trustee of the Air Cadet Charity?
We are always on the lookout for individuals with the relevant skills and experience to broaden the knowledge of our Board so if you think you have the drive and enthusiasm along with either fundraising, legal, marketing or communications experience then we would love to hear from you so please get in touch.