Our team
Meet the ACCT UK Team
Subscribe to get ACCT UK news in your inbox. We’ll send you updates on events, grant deadlines, challenge events and more.
Meet the ACCT UK Team
Murdo was a regular army officer for 37 years and in his latter years saw the work of the Army Cadet Force at close hand. Murdo was so enthused about what the ACF did for developing young people that, for the final 4.5 years of his service, he asked to head up the team providing regular army support to the ACF and concurrently persuaded his sons to join the ACF. Murdo retired from the Army in 2013 and after three years as a school bursar (which was a good developmental experience) it was a natural step in 2016 to join the charity dedicated to supporting the ACF.
I marvel at the commitment of the adult volunteers who deliver life changing developmental training to cadets. Through my sons I have seen and felt the lasting impact of committed and inspiring adult volunteers. The best way I can help is to put my former military experience and knowledge to good effect as Chief Executive of the charity dedicated to supporting the cadets and adult volunteers of the ACF.”
Murdo
Richard is passionate about helping young people to develop their character and interpersonal skills. Having been an Army Cadet himself Richard has been privileged to work and volunteer with young people in a range of organisations and roles across the charitable and state sectors. A keen advocate of lifelong learning, as an adult Richard has learned to communicate in British Sign Language, to knit, swim and recently to play the flute. Richard is fortunate to be able to draw on experience as a charity trustee and from his voluntary roles to support ACCT UK in its work.
ACCT UK makes a real impact on the lives of young people across the UK. As a long term volunteer in the youth sector it is doubly rewarding for me to be able to bring learning from my volunteer roles to my day-job with ACCT UK. I hope that my small contribution enables ACCT UK to deliver first class programmes and targeted grant making that develops the skills and character of young people.”
Richard
Faye joined ACCT UK in 2016 after over a decade working in development roles for national arts and international development charities. She has wide experience in fundraising, memberships and grant making. Faye is particularly motivated to work at ACCT UK, supporting both cadets and adult volunteers in their ACF journeys and helping them to unlock their potential with life changing experiences and training. She is committed to improving the life chances of young people and in her spare time Faye is also Vice-Chair of Governors at a local primary school.
One of the highlights of working for ACCT UK has been the way in which the charity responded to the financial implications of the national lockdowns in 2020, by offering grants to our family of adult volunteers to help those affected in those difficult times.”
Faye
Duncan joined the Army at 18 and was a regular officer for over 37 years, retiring in December 2022 from his final role as Commandant of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. Immediately prior to that as General Officer Commanding Regional Command, he had the privilege of being responsible for the Army Cadet Force and considers this one of the highlights of his career. He is honoured to assume the role of Chair of ACCT UK.
Duncan enjoys all forms of fitness and outdoor activity. A keen long distance kayak racer, he was a member of the GB marathon kayak racing team from 1993-2002 and he is part of the doubles crew that holds the 125-mile Devizes to Westminster Challenge record set in 2000.
“As a former General Officer Commanding responsible for the running of the Army Cadet Force, as well as a father of two daughters who have been cadets, I know the ACF very well. I have seen again and again the incredibly beneficial effect it has in developing leadership, character, confidence, resilience and positivity in cadets, and how important adult volunteers are in delivering that life changing experience. The ACF is an amazing organisation and I want to help ACCT UK support all the brilliant development work it does.”
Duncan
Jemma has recently made a career change and is currently retraining in Animal Management, Behaviour & Welfare with the end goal of becoming an Animal Keeper in a safari park or zoo. Prior to this Jemma worked as a trauma orthopaedic theatre nurse for eight years in both NHS and private hospitals before moving into the corporate role of Trauma Clinical Specialist teaching surgeons and staff how to use trauma equipment. Jemma became a trustee in January 2020 and in January 2021 Jemma became the first female and youngest Vice Chair in the charity’s history.
As a Cadet Force Adult Volunteer, I have seen first-hand the positive impact and role that ACCT UK has had in many people’s lives and, together with the board of trustees, I want to continue, support, and broaden that experience for all future beneficiaries.”
Jem
Agata has worked in advertising and media for 15 years. She started in advertising sales and worked closely with advertising and creative agencies throughout her career. In the last eight years she has focused on custom content creation, trade marketing and insights and analytics. Agata is currently working for Samsung Ads, developing their data and advertising technology propositions. She is a graduate of the University of Greenwich and London School of Economics, where Agata studied politics, culture and languages.
I always wanted to be involved in charity work outside of my daily job, since my career is very commercial in its nature. Through friends and family I knew what an important job ACCT UK was doing so when this opportunity arose I was thrilled to meet with the team and discuss how I can help. I have been serving on the board since 2017 and I am immensely proud of what we have achieved in this time.”
Agata
Justin is an experienced legal professional with knowledge, skills and experience gained within various legal environments, both in the UK and internationally.
He specialises in providing advice on employment law and data privacy matters and is a Certified Information Privacy Professional (CIPP/E) and a member of the International Association of Privacy Professionals.
I was attracted to ACCT UK as their work is invaluable and I hope to help the charity not only in respect of legal matters but also to showcase the opportunities it can present to young people from all backgrounds”
Justin
Ruadhri has over 20 years in the fund management industry where he’s operated as both a fund manager and a charity trustee. After leaving the Army (and having spent 9 years in the Grenadier Guards) Ruadhri started work with Leopold Joseph and Sons where he completed his fund management exams. In 1999 Ruadhri moved to Newton Investment Management, where he worked within the charities department for over 12 years, managing charitable fund before moving to Sarasin and Partners LLP in 2011. Ruadhri is married with four children and is an associate of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.
I continue to be a great supporter of the cadet movement and the work of ACCT UK. The work of the charity during the recent COVID pandemic is a great example of its relevance and support of the Army Cadet Force.”
Ruadhri
Shirley has been a Lecturer in Engineering in a Further and Higher Education setting for 19 years and joined 1st (Northern Ireland) Battalion ACF in July 2013. Shirley has previously served with the Royal Engineer Reserves and has a passion for all things STEM. She particularly enjoys taking cadets to STEM camp every year as Battalion STEM Ambassador.
Shirley is also a keen advocate for the Inspiring Digital Enterprise Awards (iDEA) as the Cadet Forces National iDEA Advisor across the ACF and CCF Army sections. In her spare time Shirley enjoys swimming and walking and can often be found working on her Japanese language skills.
In my relatively short ACF career to date I have witnessed on so many occasions the benefits from the support offered to the cadet community by ACCT UK. I want to do my bit now to ensure that every cadet and adult volunteer in Northern Ireland is aware of the wide range of ways in which ACCT UK can support them, and how together we can raise the profile of ACCT UK.”
Shirley
Wendy works as a GP Nurse Practitioner in Elsenham and is also Clinical Head of Department and Educational Lead for various nursing specialities in the practice. Wendy has worked in a wide variety of clinical and health areas over the past 30 years. She is also a Trustee for St Clare Hospice and a local Parish Councillor. Wendy is married to Tony, and has two sons, a daughter and a dog called Bo!
Wendy’s experience of the ACF, healthcare sector, charitable sector and local matters means she can bring a wealth of experience to the board.
I joined the ACCT UK board to be a voice for local and wider youth issues, to help challenge and support change and ensure that ACCT UK is seen and understood across our nation.”
Wendy
Chris joined ACF as a cadet in 1970 and is currently a volunteer Colonel Cadets in the North East. He has volunteered in four ACF Counties and was a Vice President at the Cadet Forces Commissioning Board. From 1995 to 2009 Chris was a member of the ACF Training Committee. He spent his career in Local Government, starting as an Apprentice Electrician, moving into technical posts where Chris eventually managed the Electrical Office before moving into General Construction Management including Building Services, Building Maintenance, Housing Refurbishment and New Build, Procurement, Stores, Waste Management, Project Management and Highways Management. Chris is a Fellow of the Institute of Engineering and Technology and a Fellow in the Institute of Leadership and Management, registered with the Engineering Council as an Incorporated Engineer and a former Member of the Chartered Institute of Housing.
I became a trustee as I have always appreciated the work of ACCT UK in supporting cadets and CFAV’s, particularly those from the most challenging backgrounds. I have only missed two ACCT UK AGM’s in the past 30 years!”
Chris
David was an Army Cadet which he credits with preparing him to attend Welbeck College. David later commissioned into the Royal Engineers where he served for 10 years. The Army Cadets gave David a fantastic start in life and he believes it still gives thousands of children great starts and prepares them well for adult life. This is why David plays an active part as a trustee of ACCT UK, which helps young people and volunteers in the ACF. David is a former ACF Commandant. In his spare time David enjoys sport, walking the mountains and traveling.
I believe that ACCT UK being a forward-looking charity, which is constructive and with creative policies in dedicated support of the ACF, will exponentially help support the betterment of both cadets and volunteers alike.
David
Oli works for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in London, managing a team that is responsible for training teachers and supporting thousands of young people throughout the capital. Through his experience in the charity sector, Oli has developed a strong understanding of youth development programmes and grant-making processes. Having been both a cadet and later an Adult Volunteer within the Cadet Forces, Oli has held a range of roles in both the Army Cadet Force (ACF) and Combined Cadet Force (Army). Currently a Company Training Officer in the ACF, Oli is responsible for delivering the cadet experience and making sure that young people get access to opportunities.
I can say with certainty that the cadet force has shaped me into the person I am today, and I am committed to giving back to the organisation. It is a privilege to be a Trustee for ACCT UK, helping to change the lives of young people across the UK.
Oli
Joyce began her career as a Regular Army Officer and then branched into a variety of managerial roles in the private, public and voluntary sectors. She currently supports GP training with NHS Education for Scotland. Joyce became a CFAV in 2010 and is passionate about delivering the full cadet experience to the widest possible range of young people. When not working or at Cadets, Joyce is likely to be following Partick Thistle FC around Scotland, often on her Vespa scooter.
I have seen how the Army Cadet Force transforms young people’s lives. As a trustee I hope to shout about these achievements to the wider world and be a conduit for the views of our Cadets and CFAVs.
Joyce
Sarah served in the Royal Air Force for 10 years as a People Operations Officer supporting aviators operating aircraft from the ISTAR fleet to Chinook helicopters. Since leaving in 2012 she has worked in a variety of roles in the financial services industry including in human resources, corporate social responsibility, and business development. Most recently Sarah joined Newton Investment Management, where she helps UK charities with their investment needs. Sarah has a degree in Geography and outside of work maintains her keen interest in the natural world by exploring the UK with her young family in tow. She is a SCUBA instructor with dives logged in Skye, Orkney, the Isles of Scilly, St. Kilda and Ascension Island. Sarah is passionate about all forms of adventurous training and its role in helping young people develop essential life skills.