Senior Management & Trustees for the RAF Association
Senior Management Team
Secretary General - Jane Easton
Jane joined the RAF Association in September 2010. As Secretary General she is responsible to the Chairman of the Central Council for managing all aspects of the Association’s business and advising the Trustees on future policy. Prior to this appointment, Jane had 25 years’ experience of management in the charitable sector, working in health services, in the arts, in university management and for the Church of England as Leicestershire’s Diocesan Secretary.
Director of Resources - Ruth Martindale
Ruth joined the RAF Association as Finance Director in December 2003 and her role was extended in January 2006 to that of Director of Resources. Her area of responsibility extends beyond the finance function to include IT, HR, property and legal issues. She is a Director and Company Secretary for RAFATRAD, our trading subsidiary and also deputises for the Secretary General. Ruth is a qualified accountant and has worked in a number of different sectors including manufacturing, retail, leisure and she has also worked for a Housing Association.
Email the Director of Resources
Director of Membership and Areas - Bob Hounslow
Former RAF Group Captain Bob Hounslow has had a distinguished 33-year RAF career, during which time, as a navigator, he flew both Vulcan and Tornado aircrafts. He also commanded both 27 and II (AC) Squadrons and led detachments in Saudi Arabia and Turkey immediately after the first Gulf War. Following that, he spent time at the MOD as Deputy Director Services Personnel Policy and he also sat on the SSAFA Forces Help’s Military Liaison Committee. He later became the RAF representative to NAAFI and subsequently became their Director of Business Development
Email the Director of Membership and Areas
Chairman, RAF Families Federation - Dawn McCafferty
Dawn McCafferty joined the RAF in 1983 and completed a 23-year career which culminated in her appointment as the Group Captain Inspector of Recruiting for the RAF. En route to this command tour, Dawn undertook a wide range of management roles within the Service, including command of the Personnel Management Squadron at RAF Wittering and the Administrative Wing at RAF Waddington. Now, as Chairman of the RAF Families Federation, based at RAF Wittering, Dawn regularly visits RAF units and meets with RAF personnel and their families to gather evidence of the issues causing concern.
Email the Chairman of the RAF Families Federation
Board of Trustees
| Air Vice-Marshal Nigel Bairsto CB MBE |
Mr Frank Barrett MBE |
Air Commodore Nigel Philip Beet OBE MA BA RAF |
| Air Commodore John Bell OBE |
| Mr Robert (Bob) Bertram MBE |
| Mrs Judith Boothman |
| Mrs Jean Conlon |
Mr Brian Darke MBE |
Sgt Gail Evans |
| Mr Jim Gannon |
| Wing Commander Chris Goss RAF |
| Mr John Lee MBE |
| Mr Ian McEnnis |
Mr Geoff Middleton |
Air Marshal Sir Dusty Miller KBE |
Dr Bryan Pattison OBE |
Mr K (Taff) Stone |
Sergeant Wayne Swiggs |
Mr John Tisbury MBE |
Mr J (Brian) Wilkie |
All Trustees are contactable through Central Headquarters - click here for information
Notable Appointments
Air Marshal Sir Dusty Miller KBE | National President |
| Air Vice-Marshal Nigel Bairsto CB MBE | Chairman of Central Council |
| Air Vice-Marshal David Whittaker CB MBE | Vice-President |
| Dr Bryan Pattison OBE | Vice-Chairman Board of Trustees |
| Mr Philip Tagg | Honorary Treasurer |
| Mr Tony Hales CBE | Non-Executive Director |
| Mr Tim Lee | Non-Executive Director |
| Mr Anthony Rees | Chairman, Annual Conference Committee |
| Mrs Margaret Duff | Annual Conference Organiser |
Area Appointments
South East & Eastern Area
Mr Ken Clarke | Area Director |
Air Commodore Nick T Carter OBE | Area President |
Mr Barry Furness | Area Chairman |
Wales, Midland & South Western Area
Mr Paul Baker | Area Director |
Air Vice-Marshal Pat J O’Reilly CB | Area President |
Mr John Tisbury MBE | Area Chairman |
Northern Area
Mr Darrell Slater-Smith | Area Director |
| Air Commodore Richard Corney OBE BA | Area President |
Mr Brian Capper | Area Chairman |
Scotland & Northern Ireland Area
Mr Bob Chandler BEM | Area Chairman |
European, Overseas and South African Areas
Mr Simon Martin | Area Director |
His Excellency Air Marshal Peter Walker CB CBE | Area President |
Wing Commander Bob Hunt RAF (Retd) | Area Chairman |
To make your donation online now
to the RAF Association. click here »
Blades Merchandise now in stock
Our new Blades products from the 2011 airshow season are now available online in the RAFA ShopClick here »
Welcome to the RAF Association
The First Annual Report of the Armed Forces Covenant
The First Annual Report on the Armed Forces Covenant has been published. Signed off by the Secretary of State for Defence, the RAF Families Federation is hoping to stimulate Parliamentary debate as to the progress of the Covenant and its impact on improving the lives of serving personnel and their f... Read more »
RAF wine a treat for RAF mess
A highly acclaimed RAF wine has gone down a storm at RAF Cranwell, raising hundreds of pounds for the RAF Association in the process. Read more »
2011 Everest Base Camp – Yeti Trek
RAFALO Dave Craven left RAF Cottesmore last year, bound for the Himalayas in search of the fabled yeti, or to be more accurate, to trek to Everest Base Camp raising almost £3000 for the RAF Association. Read more »
Wellington Bomber Bike Ride, Waterbeach to Landsmeer
A group of airmen from RAF Brize Norton will take on a huge commemorative feat for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal when they cycle 400 miles in four days. Read more »
15% off shared rooms at our Homes from Home
We are offering 15% off the cost of a stay for each person when sharing a room at Flowerdown House, Rothbury House or Richard Peck House. Read more »
Trek the Great Wall of China 14-23 September 2012
Discover a country immersed in history, mythology and ancient traditions and trek the Great Wall of China while raising valuable funds for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal Read more »
Cycle London to Paris 22-25 June 2012
Encounter historic towns, sleepy villages and rolling countryside en-route from London to Paris Read more »
Nightrider - 9th to 10th June 2012
Cycle London at night and raise funds for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal Read more »
Great East Swim 16th June 2012
The Perfect Challenge for swimmers of all abilities, take part in the Great East Swim for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal Read more »
Great Manchester Run - 20th May 2012
Take part in the nation's favourite 10k running event for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal Read more »
Take on a skydive for the Wings Appeal
Challenge yourself and take on a skydive for the RAF Association's Wings Appeal. Read more »
New Years Honours 2012
A group of hardworking and dedicated individuals have been nominated to receive the RAF Association’s highest honour. Read more »
A helping hand for those who need it
For many elderly veterans living alone, loneliness and isolation is their reward for the sacrifices they made for their country. The RAF Association has a UK-wide network of over 550 voluntary welfare officers who actively seek out ex-RAF personnel and their families in need of support Read more »
Jon-Allan nominated for British Cycling award
Following his huge successes over the past year, former SAC Jon-Allan Butterworth has been nominated for British Cycling’s Ride of the Year 2011. Read more »
Christmas calling from the frontline
The RAF Association will send another 3,000 Miles More Minutes telephone cards out to Afghanistan this Christmas to support serving personnel. Read more »
Trekking the Trail
After months of planning, training and fundraising a trio of trekkers from RAF Lyneham and RAF Marham completed the Great Wall of China trail to raise money for the RAF Association’s Wings Appeal Read more »
In memory of Flt Lt Sean Cunningham - Red 5
We would like to express our great sadness at the tragic death of Flight Lieutenant Sean Cunningham – Red 5 of the Royal Air Force Aerobatic Team, the Red Arrows. Read more »
On track to the Paralympics
After losing his left arm in a rocket attack in Basra, former SAC Jon-Allan Butterworth took up cycling as a professional career upon leaving the RAF. His goal now is to compete at the 2012 Paralympics in London. Read more »
Former airman takes to the skies for the Wings Appeal
When former SAC Christopher Hawes, 37, was medically discharged from the RAF he didn’t know where to turn for the support he needed. The RAF Association provided Christopher with the advice and support that he was so desperately looking for when he needed it the most. Read more »
Rewards from the RAFATHON
RAF Association President Air Marshal Sir Dusty Miller KBE was welcomed to RAF Waddington to meet the team behind the station’s leg of the 2011 RAFAthon. Read more »
Calling all runners! Edinburgh Marathon Festival 26/27 May 2012
The Edinburgh Marathon Festival is one of the UK's major running events so join the RAF Wings Appeal team to make sure you're involved Read more »
Taking the plunge
71 years after he first joined the RAF, 92-year old WWII veteran John Hitchmough is once again returning to the skies, to take part in his first ever skydive in aid of the RAF Association. Read more »
200 Days 3,500 Miles An Anthology of Poems
This book of poems written by the families and members of 27 Squadron RAF Regiment is dedicated to all the men and women who have served with the Royal Air Force Regiment and their families. Read more »
Show the world you care online
Add our new Twibbons to your Facebook and Twitter profiles and help us spread the word! Read more »
The RAF Association Wings Appeal - Miles More Minutes Campaign
The RAF Association's Wings Appeal - Miles More Minutes Campaign Read more »
