ANNUAL REPORT 2017 TruSTEES’ RePORT anD ACCOunTS FOR THE YEar END 31 DECEMBER 2017 PrinCIPalS, TruSTEES anD SEniOR CONTENTS ManagEMENT TEAM TRUstees’ RepoRT Forewords 4 Patron Trustees Aims, objectives and values 6 Her Majesty The Queen Chairman Mr Lawrie Haynes DEng BA (Hons) FCILTR FRSA Our activities and achievements 8 President Honorary Treasurer Dr Stephen Critchley MA (Hons) DPhil FCA Providing support where it is needed most 10 HRH The Duke of Kent KG GCMG GCVO ADC(P) Members Ms Kathryn Adamson Fundraising 16 Life Vice-Presidents Ms Frances Brindle MSc BSc (Hons) Mr David Cheyne MA (Cantab) Financial highlights 18 Marshal of the Royal Air Force The Lord Craig of Radley Mr Graeme Craig GCB OBE MA DSc FRAeS Financial review 19 Air Vice-Marshal Simon Dougherty Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Keith Williamson MSc MBBS FRCP FFOM DAvMed DObstRCOG FCMI FRAeS GCB AFC ADC (deceased 2 May 2018) Governance 22 Air Commodore Simon Harper OBE MA RAF Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon GCB CBE ADC FRAeS Mr Richard Ingham BSc FRSA Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’s RepoRT 26 Mr Alastair Irvine BA (Hons) MCSI KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF Wing Commander Marie-Noelle Orzel Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Johns GCB KCVO CBE FRAeS FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 28 OBE QVRM MSc PGDE RGN RSCN Air Chief Marshal Sir Roger Palin KCB OBE MA FRAeS FIPD Mr Graeme Shankland NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 32 Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire GCB DFC AFC DSc Air Vice-Marshal Elaine West CBE FRAeS (deceased 19 February 2018) Lady Hillier Lady Humphrey OBE Senior Management Team Sir Adrian Swire AE DL MA (for the year ended 31 December 2017) Controller Vice-Presidents Air Vice-Marshal The Honourable David Murray CVO OBE Dame good prize: Dame Judi Dench launched a very exciting Mr John Isabel Chief of Staff/Director of Governance Air Commodore Paul Higgins MA BA(Hons) FCILT FCMI raffle in 2017 to win a limited edition Aston Martin Vanquish S (appointed May 2017) Red Arrows car. Find out more on p16. Council Director of Strategy and Fundraising Group Captain Michael Neville CBE BSc (Hons) Chairman (until May 2017) Mr Lawrie Haynes DEng BA (Hons) FCILTR FRSA Director of Finance Deputy Chairman Ms Victoria Fakehinde BSc (Hons) ACMA CGMA The Viscount Trenchard of Wolfeton DL Director of Fundraising and Communications Honorary Treasurer Mr John Trampleasure (appointed October 2017) Dr Stephen Critchley MA (Hons) D Phil FCA Director of Welfare and Policy Members Air Commodore Paul Hughesdon MA FIoD Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF Air Marshal Sean Reynolds CBE DFC RAF Benevolent Fund Principal Air Vice-Marshal John Cliffe CB OBE and Registered Office Air Vice-Marshal Simon Dougherty MSc MBBS FRCP FFOM DAvMed DObstRCOG FCMI FRAeS 67 Portland Place, Air Commodore Andrew Neal AFC FCMI (retired May 2018) London Ms Frances Brindle MSc BSc (Hons) W1B 1AR Mr David Cheyne MA (Cantab) Dr Stephen Critchley MA (Hons) DPhil FCA 4 TRUSTees’ REPORT TRUSTees’ REPORT 5 THERE FOR THE RAF FaMilY ANTICIPATing NEEDS anD – NO MATTER WHAT MAKing THingS HAPPEN Since our humble beginnings in 1919, in the aftermath of the Great I am proud that the RAF Benevolent Fund, as the RAF’s oldest friend, War, the RAF Benevolent Fund has stood firm in its commitment to has always been there, changing lives, creating opportunities and support the RAF Family during times of struggle and hardship. helping people to move on from the most difficult circumstances. As the needs of the RAF Family have changed, so we have responded, investing We are only too aware of the pressures that the RAF Family – serving and veterans significantly in welfare services which meet the 21st century needs of our family. – is facing today but our life-changing support helps keep families together when In recent years we have sharpened our focus on both the veteran community and they are going through the most challenging of times; we enable veterans to live the serving RAF, continually launching new and innovative services in those independently for longer and we provide support when the stresses of Service life areas where our research tells us it is needed most: mental wellbeing, combating take their toll. isolation among elderly RAF veterans through the provision of respite and In 2017, significant focus was given to understanding the emerging welfare supporting the welfare needs of the families of the serving. needs of the RAF Family. In response, we have specifically developed targeted Highlights for us during 2017 included bringing the Royal Observer Corps and innovative programmes tackling social isolation, financial difficulty and Benevolent Fund under our wing, which will allow former ROC veterans to access mental wellbeing. Respite care for the elderly is also a key priority in the support support from the Fund. In addition, in terms of fundraising and exciting new we provide. Fund Controller David Murray corporate partnerships, we were extremely grateful to Aston Martin Cambridge We are an ambitious charity and we will continue to build our support package, (third from right) receives a cheque who very generously donated to us a limited edition Vanquish S Red Arrows car, delivering new services in 2018 for carers and enhancing respite provision for for £10,000 from the RAF Valley which was raffled raising an incredible £1.4M. serving personnel, among others. A fluctuating economy and tighter regulation charity committee. Earlier this As we continue to look forward to our 100th year, the Fund’s Trustees and will no doubt present us with difficulties to overcome but our robust welfare and year, the station re-opened its Senior Management Team are fully committed to ensuring we remain the leader financial strategy gives us a clear and solid foundation on which to make progress. community centre following a among RAF charities and that we deliver on our promise to support the entire RAF Consequently, I am confident we are prepared for the challenging times ahead. major refurbishment, with funding Family – from the youngest child to the oldest veteran. In the coming year we will from the Benevolent Fund. We have also been cognisant that 2018 has marked the centenary of the Royal be conducting new research into the needs of the RAF Family and tailoring our Air Force, or RAF100, and we were therefore pleased to enter into an RAF100 joint services accordingly in order to meet those needs. venture with the RAF and our sister RAF charities – RAFA, the RAF Charitable Trust We must also reach out and find RAF veterans who have not yet contacted us for and the RAF Museum – to raise money to support the work that we individually help – those who are struggling with a disability, illness or financially but whom, do. Collectively, we agreed that we did not want to compete with each other to for whatever reason, are not aware of us, or are perhaps too proud to come take advantage of this centenary year and it was clear that collaboration was the forward for help. We will be ploughing additional resources into finding them way forward. and ensuring they receive the support they so rightly deserve. It is our pledge that I look forward to 2019, which marks the centenary of the RAF Benevolent Fund we will spend considerable resources on ensuring that those who need our help, serving the RAF Family, with excitement. We will use this significant milestone to receive it – not least the generations of veterans who are reaching their twilight tell people about the sacrifices made by so many during that time but we must also years and to whom we owe so much. reach those who have not yet sought our help. This is absolutely key and personal Finally, the successes and achievement of the past year could not have been pride or a lack of awareness must not prevent members of the RAF Family realised without the dedication of Fund staff and I would record my thanks contacting us if they are in need. to them for the crucial part they play in ensuring the RAF Family is cared for. Our vision that ‘no member of the RAF Family will ever face adversity alone’ is I would also like to thank our dedicated Trustees, who freely give their time as relevant today as it was when we first began in 1919. We have known and and expertise to ensure we operate effectively and make a difference to so understood the RAF Family for almost 100 years and our commitment ensures many people in need. that we will be there for each and every member of the RAF Family, whenever they need us. Lawrie Haynes Air Vice-Marshal David Murray CVO OBE Chairman, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Controller, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund 6 TRUstees’ RepoRT TRUstees’ RepoRT 7 AIMS, OBJECTivES Our VISION OBJECTS anD ACTiviTIES Since its formation, the Charity’s objects have AND valuES No member of the RAF Family been to provide relief and assistance to past and present members of the Royal Air Force and will ever face adversity alone. their dependants who are in need as a result of The Trustees present their report for poverty, disability, sickness, infirmity or otherwise, the year ended 31 December 2017. and to maintain the RAF War Memorial on the The Trustees confirm that the Annual Victoria Embankment, London. The Charity also Report and Financial Statements of exists to promote the efficiency of the Royal Air the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Our PURPOSE Force by providing support and assistance to have been prepared in accordance Service personnel and their dependants with a with the Charities Act 2011, Charities view to enhancing their morale and wellbeing.