David Richmond, Chief Operating Officer
I commanded The Argylls, 5 SCOTS during OP HERRICK 8 and was seriously wounded during a Battle Group operation near Musa Qaleh. In my honorary role as a ‘senior casualty’, I am a member of the Independent Medical Experts Group of the Armed Forces Compensation Scheme Review, on which I represent the views of the wounded, injured and sick. Now retired from the Army, I am Chief Operating Officer for Recovery Delivery responsible for the four national Recovery Centres at Tidworth, Catterick, Colchester and Plymouth; the Band of Brothers and Band of Sisters; and the H4H Battle Back programmes. My roles cover all aspects of delivering and developing support for our wounded, injured and sick and their families. This involves constantly reviewing what is needed, developing our services accordingly and working closely with the MOD, other charities, the NHS and local authorities.
Mo Usman, General Manager, Catterick Recovery Centre
I have an Armed Forces background with several tours to Northern Ireland, Iraq, Russia-Georgia, and was lucky to benefit from the exotic side of military postings to Malaysia, Australia and short stints to the Ascension Islands, Indonesia and Gibraltar. I have worked in a variety of employments including intelligence, logistics, training and planning fields. I left the forces early, helped set up a small Luxury hotel in the Yorkshire dales – the Burgoyne. In November 2010 I was selected to head up a project to develop the Interim Recovery Centre in Catterick. My appointment as General Manager allows me the privilege of leading a dynamic, focused team to provide support to our wounded, injured, sick, veterans and families. I see our role as not changing the world but supporting those whose world has changed.
Steve Schollar, General Manager, Colchester Recovery Centre
After 32 rewarding years in the RAF’s Personnel Support Branch, serving around the UK, in Germany, Israel, the South Atlantic and the Middle East, I joined Help for Heroes in March 2012. I count myself extremely fortunate to work for Help for Heroes as the general manager of the first purpose-built Recovery Centre which provides a haven for the ‘blokes’ as they recover from the many challenges life has dealt them. In partnership with the ARC, and with the outstanding support of my team and the people of East Anglia, we have put together a comprehensive and exciting programme to complement the blokes’ own preparations for the future.
NAVAL SERVICE RECOVERY CENTRE
Jock Easton, Project Officer, Plymouth
After a 35 year career in the Royal Navy specialising in sport, recreation and adventure, I was instrumental in establishing the recovery pathway here in Plymouth. My current role is acting as the H4H Project Officer tasked with delivering the new Recovery Centre in Plymouth. It’s a challenge that involves bringing all of the experts together in order to maintain momentum to meet our target of opening in 2013. I act as the H4H SW focal point for any issue that falls outside the regional volunteer organisation; I give talks, receive cheques, attend events, and offer wise counsel and diplomacy.