Patron
HRH The Princess Royal
President
His Grace, The Duke of Hamilton and Brandon
Alexander Douglas Douglas-Hamilton, the 16th Duke of Hamilton and 13th Duke of Brandon is President of Veterans Housing Scotland.
Titled the Marquess of Douglas and Clydesdale from birth until 2010 when his father, Angus, the 15th Duke of Hamilton died, he inherited the Dukedom. He is currently styled His Grace The Duke of Hamilton and Brandon and he is the Hereditary Keeper of the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
He assumed the role of President from his late uncle, Lord Selkirk of Douglas, in March 2024. His Grace comes from a family with considerable military connections which are valuable in this prestigious role.
Chairman
Group Captain Bob Kemp CBE QVRM AE DL
Bob Kemp was educated at Paisley Grammar School and the Royal College of Defence Studies. As a fast jet aviator, he commanded the Royal Air Force Peace Keeping Force in the Lebanon, leading to the Wilkinson Sword of Peace.
Following 20 years of regular air force service, he joined a large high technology engineering company to be the Director of Media and Communications. Commissioned into the Royal Auxiliary Air Force, he rose to become Inspector of the Force and 'Aide de Camp' to Her Majesty The Queen, a post he held for seven years. He was decorated as a Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.
A former Director of the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund, he was responsible for the Fund's strategic direction in Scotland and Northern Ireland. He recently retired as a Trustee of Haig Housing and as a Director of Erskine Hospital.
He is a Deputy Lieutenant of the City of Edinburgh, the Life President of 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron Association, a Lay Consultant for both NHS Education and Defence Medicine. He serves on the Lay Committee of the Royal College of Physicians. Bob brings a wealth of experience working with veterans to Veterans Housing Scotland.
Bob was appointed Chairman in March 2021 and is supported by a Board of Trustees who bring a wealth of experience and skills across a broad range of sectors to VHS.
Treasurer
Gordon Michie
Gordon Michie is currently the Head of Fundraising and Learning at Poppyscotland, which he took on in July 2016.
His primary responsibilities centre on leading a fundraiser team to raise the organisation's voluntary income, including the annual Scottish Poppy Appeal. During his tenure, he has overseen the significant commemorations surrounding the 100th anniversary of the Armistice's signing, D-Day 75 and VE Day 75. The Education & Learning and Volunteering functions also fall under his remit. He has spearheaded a multi-million-pound HLF and Libor funded project.
Before joining Poppyscotland, Gordon spent 16 years working in fundraising agencies. He was involved in developing UK and overseas charities' individual giving programmes in senior director roles. Before this, he was a fundraiser for the organisation now known as Worldwide Cancer Research. He began his working life in the RAF, serving from 1988 to 1995 with postings in England, Germany and closer to home at RAF Leuchars in Fife.
Outside work Gordon is married with two grown-up daughters.
Gordon was appointed treasurer in March 2021.
Trustees
Major Del Hamilton
Major Del Hamilton joined the Army in June 1985. He has served with numerous regiments and corps throughout his career, giving him a diverse outlook and approach to military life. When commissioned, he undertook a spell in the Army in Scotland HQ working in the logistics and welfare environment throughout one of our Armed Forces' most turbulent times, Op HERRICK in Afghanistan.
He saw at first hand what was required for our soldiers concerning veterans housing. He moved on to take up the post of the Officer Commanding the Scotland and Northern Ireland Personnel Recovery Centre in Edinburgh, which acts to enable the swiftest return to duty or smoothest transition to civilian life of our wounded, injured and sick service personnel.
"I have personally witnessed over several years the absolute requirement for veterans housing to assist our service personnel with disabilities. Veterans Housing Scotland is a brilliant organisation, and I feel compelled to help in any way I can."
Peter Henry
Peter is the Managing Partner of the Scottish Practice of Odgers Berndtson Peter leads on commercial search activities in Scotland and handles many of the firm's most senior appointments. Peter is an experienced headhunter, having operated in the UK, Asia, the Middle East and North Africa. His areas of expertise lie at the board level in the financial services, industrial and consumer sectors. Previously, Peter spent six years in Dubai. He worked for another global executive search firm and led its technology and consumer practice in the Middle East and North Africa.
Before this, Peter was based in Shanghai with Odgers Berndtson to establish the firm's mainland China presence. Following the successful acquisition and integration of a local search business, Peter moved with Odgers Berndtson to Dubai. Peter began his career in financial services with Newton Asset Management before entering search in 1996. He is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh.
"I am proud to support the work which Veterans Housing Scotland delivers to those in need. The provision of housing and a sense of on-going community for our veterans remains of paramount importance."
Alasdair Grant
Alasdair is a senior policy advisor in the Cabinet Office and has previously worked in international and economic development in the British and Australian Governments. He served for eight years in the 9th/12th Royal Lancers and commanded a squadron in his final role. During his time in the military, he deployed globally, including on two operational tours of Afghanistan, where he was awarded a Mention in Dispatches. He is a keen writer and cricketer and will often be found running in the hills.
'Having seen first hand the impact of modern warfare on our soldiers, I am extremely committed to supporting injured veterans to have a better future.'
Major Roland (Ronnie) Proctor MBE OStJ FSASCOT
Ronnie was born and educated in Kirriemuir, Angus. He joined The Black Watch in 1962. As an Infantry Junior Leader, he was based first in Plymouth, then Oswestry. Ronnie served for nearly forty years within and out with the Regiment, including tours as an instructor at Sandhurst, RSM Scottish Infantry Depot and RSM 1 Black Watch in West Germany. He was commissioned in 1984 and carried out several posts, including Transport Officer and Air Operations Officer in South Armagh. Both Technical Quartermaster and Quartermaster with 1BW, 51 Hld (V) and 3BW, also serving on the Staff at HQNI.
On retiring from the Army, he was appointed Assistant Regimental Secretary and Curator of The Black Watch Museum until retirement in 2011. Ronnie currently carries out the duties of Secretary of The Black Watch Association and Honorary Curator of The Black Watch Museum. Elected as a member of Angus Council in 2012 and 2017 and currently Provost of Angus. Heavily involved in numerous Veterans Organisations both locally and Nationally.
Lt Cdr Gary Nicolson MBE MCGI RN
Gary was a trustee of the RNRMC for nine years and during his time there sat on the strategic funding committee and chaired the quality-of-life panel. Prior to his recent promotion, Gary was the executive warrant officer on the aircraft carrier, HMS Prince of Wales, and continues to serve in the Royal Navy, a career primarily as a submariner.
'I hope to add value to the Board of Trustees in the coming years with my previous charitable experience.'
Wng Cdr Alison Moodie OBE QVRM AE RGN RM
Alison joined the Royal Auxiliary Air Force as a part-time reservist, training initially as a Tele-Printer Operator, before changing trades to that of Medical Secretary. She was commissioned into the Territorial Army as a Nursing Officer with No 205 General Hospital between 1991 and 1995 rising to the rank of Captain.
Re-joining the Royal Auxiliary Air Force as a Nursing Officer Alison deployed on multiple tours all over the world including as the Lead Officer Representative within the NATO Confederation of International Officers of Medical Reserve (CIOMR) involving numerous visits to Belgium, Cyprus, Australia, Poland, the Czech Republic and Denmark. She was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2011.
Alison then joined the staff of a multi-role Squadron in Ulster later serving as the Commanding Officer until 2018 at which point, she retired from the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. Since then, she has worked closely with Veterans and their families by volunteering with the Royal Air Force Benevolent Fund where she has been able to use her wide military skills and medical knowledge to good effect.
‘I am delighted to be invited to join the Board of Veterans Housing Scotland, a charity which I have long admired.
‘The horrors of warfare can affect any member of the military in various ways – psychologically as well as physically; often worsening after discharge. Care for the health of veterans is the responsibility of all civilised societies the homes provided by Veterans Housing Scotland play a crucial role in aiding the wider recovery of our disabled veterans.’
Group Captain Clive Coombes OBE
Clive Coombes completed his secondary schooling at Oakham, Rutland from where he joined the RAF in 1978. In a 37½ -year career, he served not only throughout UK, but also in Cyprus, Australia, the USA – both as a Diplomat and on the US Joint Staff in the Pentagon - Germany and latterly in SE Asia where he was the senior British Military diplomat in Singapore, Vietnam and Burma (Myanmar). He was awarded the OBE for his services at RAF Lossiemouth during Gulf War II and retired from the RAF in 2014. In 2018 he completed a short period of Reserve Service in support of RAF100.
After a short spell in the East Midlands and using his 3 classic cars to run a small but successful wedding car business, Clive and his wife Janice moved to Edinburgh in 2017. He is now immersed in the world of Unmanned Aviation, not only operating his own Drone Services company (Edinburgh Aerial Media www.ediam.co.uk ) but also having founded SkyShows (www.skyshows.co.uk) the first company in Scotland, and only the 5th in UK, to hold CAA approval to fly drone light shows.
In addition, he is a Board Member, and Vice Chairman (Air), Lowland RFCA, HM’s RAF Commissioner to Queen Victoria School Dunblane and, as a Burgess and Freeman Citizen of the City of Glasgow, sits on the Master Court of the Incorporation of Fleshers. He is a golfer (10 handicap), a published and prize-winning amateur photographer and lists his other interests as cricket in all its forms, classic Jaguar cars and world travel.
‘I am immensely proud to be a Trustee and Board Member of Veterans Housing Scotland, a charity which provides so much vital support to the welfare and security of our veterans. We live in difficult and challenging times, and the assistance that VHS provides is vital; I look forward to being part of that essential network.'
