ANNUAL REPORT 2018 Trustees’ report and accounts for the year ended 31 December 2018 PRINCIPALS, TRUSTEES AND CONTENTS SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM TRUSTEES’ REPORT PaTRON Air Commodore Ro Atherton (from 15 October 2018) Forewords 4 Her Majesty The Queen Ms Frances Brindle MSc BSc (Hons) Mr David Cheyne MA (Cantab) Aims, objectives and values 6 Dr Stephen Critchley MA (Hons) DPhil FCA PRESIDENT Progress against our 2018 strategic objectives 7 HRH The Duke of Kent KG GCMG GCVO ADC(P) TRUSTEES Providing support whenever we are needed 10 Chairman LIFE VICE-PRESIDENTS Mr Lawrie Haynes DEng BA (Hons) FCILTR FRSA Supporter promise 23 Marshal of the Royal Air Force The Lord Craig of Radley GCB Honorary Treasurer OBE MA DSc FRAeS Dr Stephen Critchley MA (Hons) DPhil FCA Fundraising 24 Marshal of the Royal Air Force Sir Keith Williamson GCB AFC Members ADC (deceased 2 May 2018) Ms Kathryn Adamson Financial highlights 26 Air Chief Marshal Sir Michael Graydon GCB CBE ADC FRAeS Ms Frances Brindle MSc BSc (Hons) Plans for 2019 28 Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF Mr David Cheyne MA (Cantab) Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Johns GCB KCVO CBE FRAeS Mr Graeme Craig Financial review 29 Air Chief Marshal Sir Roger Palin KCB OBE MA FRAeS FIPD Air Vice-Marshal Simon Dougherty MSc MBBS FRCP FFOM Air Chief Marshal Sir Peter Squire GCB DFC AFC DSc FRAeS DAvMed DObstRCOG FCMI FRAeS Governance 33 (deceased 19 February 2018) Air Commodore Simon Harper OBE MA RAF Lady Hillier Mr Richard Ingham INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT 36 Lady Humphrey OBE Mr Alastair Irvine BA (Hons) MCSI (retired 31 December 2018) Sir Adrian Swire AE DL MA (deceased 24 August 2018) Wing Commander Marie-Noelle Orzel OBE QVRM MSc FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 38 PGDE RGN RSCN VICE-PRESIDENTS Mr Graeme Shankland Mr John Isabel Air Vice-Marshal Elaine West CBE COUNCIL SENIOR MANAGEMENT TEAM Chairman Mr Lawrie Haynes DEng BA (Hons) FCILTR FRSA Controller Air Vice-Marshal The Honourable David Murray CVO OBE Deputy Chairman The Viscount Trenchard of Wolfeton DL Chief of Staff/Director of Governance Air Commodore Paul Higgins MA BA(Hons) FCILT FCMI Honorary Treasurer Dr Stephen Critchley MA (Hons) D Phil FCA Director of Finance Ms Victoria Fakehinde BSc (Hons) ACMA CGMA Members Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier KCB CBE DFC ADC MA RAF Director of Fundraising and Communications Mr John Trampleasure Air Marshal Sean Reynolds CBE DFC (retired 20 August 2018) Director of Welfare and Policy Air Marshal Mike Wigston CBE (from 20 August 2018) Air Commodore Paul Hughesdon MA FIoD Air Vice-Marshal John Cliffe CB OBE Air Vice-Marshal Simon Dougherty MSc MBBS FRCP FFOM Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund Principal and DAvMed DObstRCOG FCMI FRAeS Registered Office Air Commodore Andrew Neal AFC FCMI (retired 31 May 2018) 67 Portland Place, London W1B 1AR Cover photo: Tia Carter, Airplay member, on Centre Court at the Wimbledon Championships. ©AELTC T R EPO R ’ ’ S TEE rus T SUPPORTING SIDE BY SIDE THE RAF FamILY WITH THE RAF – WHENEVER Chief of The Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal FamILY NOW Air Vice-Marshal David Murray, Controller, Sir Stephen Hillier and Lawrie Haynes, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund THEY NEED US Chairman, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund AND FOR YEARS to come Since 1919 we have been the RAF’s leading welfare charity. Then and Through our research we know that the size of the RAF Family now we remain firm in our commitment that no member of the RAF will reduce from 1.4M people to 1M by 2030, mainly as a result of Family should ever face adversity alone. the reducing number of the National Service generation. We also know that approximately 300,000 of that population currently face Our landmark research Meeting the Needs of the Looking forward, in 2019 we celebrate the Serving RAF Community, launched at the House centenary of the RAF Benevolent Fund. Our personal challenges, a third of them acute ones. of Commons in November 2018, identified the centenary celebration will provide an excellent biggest challenges our serving RAF and their opportunity to seek out Second World War RAF In 2019 we celebrate our centenary and to We remain focused on ensuring older members partners face as mental wellbeing difficulties, veterans and RAF National Service veterans mark this date, we will launch a campaign of the RAF Family enjoy dignity and comfort social isolation and inadequate partner who may be unaware of the support available. aimed at reaching even more RAF veterans, in their twilight years, not just through the employment opportunities. In response to the We will show our commitment to ensuring particularly those 100,000 in most need. provision of financial support but also by findings, we announced a multi-million-pound that those in need get tailored holistic support Currently we support 53,000 individuals per combatting social exclusion and loneliness. initiative to meet the key needs of the RAF in from us. annum but we intend to raise this number to We pride ourselves on being responsive, working addition to other ongoing work and support We will also celebrate the 50th anniversary of 100,000 over the next three years. In our view, with caseworkers and partners to provide already provided; this included access to the Princess Marina House, our flagship respite and it is crucial that we reach this group of veterans tailored support to individuals and this year mobile app Headspace, which had more than care centre and cottages on the south coast. In as they advance in years so that we can provide have also launched a number of mental health 2,400 users within the first few months. 2018, more than 1,500 veterans and a number much-needed assistance. initiatives to complement our existing work. None of this would have been possible without of serving families enjoyed a welfare break To allow this to happen, our Trustees have I am incredibly proud of what we achieved in the generous work of our supporters and at Princess Marina House. As we develop the recently committed to spending substantial 2018. We supported serving personnel and volunteer fundraisers. Highlights include the facilities and services there, we are set to welcome additional resources on a significant reaching out veterans through some really tough situations. spectacular Broomhall House supercar event over more people through our doors in 2019. campaign to address unmet needs now. While We advocated on behalf of them and their the Forth Road Bridge and taking part in the coin Finally, I want to take this moment to pay tribute to this will have a significant impact on our reserves families and amplified their voices. We continue toss at the Wimbledon Ladies’ Singles Final. our dedicated staff whose commitment makes our and will be a challenge for us, we firmly believe to dedicate ourselves to fulfil our vision that no We recognise the importance of collaboration work possible. I would also like to thank our Trustees that it is the right thing to do and is the best use member of the RAF Family will ever face adversity with other RAF charities and were thrilled to who selflessly give their time and expertise to make of our charitable funds. alone. I sincerely thank all of you – our excellent staff, volunteers, supporters and donors – who celebrate the centenary of the RAF as a leading sure we support our RAF Family so effectively and Our veterans, like the current RAF generation, made this possible. member of the RAF100 joint venture alongside continue to be the RAF’s oldest friend. are self-reliant and independent individuals. I am the Royal Air Force, RAF Association, the RAF proud that we stand alongside them – the RAF Charitable Trust and the RAF Museum. The Family (both serving and veterans) – as the RAF’s celebrations culminated in a spectacular military oldest friend, providing them with life-changing, parade and mass flypast in London. The joint practical, emotional and financial support. During venture successfully raised more than £3M, Lawrie Haynes 2018, we spent more than £15.1M supporting including £500K for the RAF Benevolent Fund. Chairman, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund veterans and their dependants and a further £5.8M on the currently serving, a total of £20.9M, Air Vice-Marshal David Murray CVO OBE £2.1M more than in 2017. Controller, Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund 4 5 T R AIMS, OBJECTIVES AND vaLUES PROGRESS AGAINST OUR 2018 EPO R ’ ’ S TEE OUR VISION OBJECTS AND ACTIVITIES STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES rus T Since its formation, the Charity’s objects have been to provide relief The RAF Benevolent Fund has been committed for 100 Our understanding of these varying needs and the No member of the and assistance to past and present members of the Royal Air Force years to its vision that no member of the RAF Family changing size and profile of the RAF Family led our Board of and their dependants who are in need as a result of poverty, disability, should ever face adversity alone. We are the RAF’s oldest Trustees to release sizeable reserves to fund the evidence- RAF Family will ever sickness, infirmity or otherwise, and to maintain the RAF Memorial on friend – loyal and generous and always there. We support led expansion of our welfare services. Our Trustees also the Victoria Embankment, London. The way in which the Fund provides current and former members of the RAF, their partners approved plans for a multi-platform engagement campaign face adversity alone. services has changed significantly over time, with the range, depth and families, providing practical, emotional and financial during our centenary and beyond to reach veterans who and levels of support increasing considerably in the last 10 years.