The Chairman – Richard Palusinski worked in public service roles for over 40 years. He also served with the Police within the Special Constabulary for 42 years, including holding the post of Commanding Officer for Wiltshire Special Constabulary for over 10 years. He worked with the Wiltshire Branch of the Normandy Veterans Association for 10 years, serving as Branch Secretary for the last 5 years.
Mark Waring (Joint Vice Chairman) A former SNCO in the Fleet Air Arm, having completed 27 Years service he now works in the City of London for a Major Insurance Assistance Company as Aviation Director. Mark has organised several trips back to Normandy for Veterans and is now leading on Legacy Trips where children visit the battlefields alongside Veterans that fought there. Mark will primarily be working on the SONT Events, including the Reunion and D Day 75 Dinner in 2019.
Peter Lankester (Joint Vice Chairman) completed a full and varied career as a Royal Navy officer in 2007. A commando helicopter pilot, executive officer of both a frigate and a training establishment, he completed his career with attaché posts in the United States and South Africa. In 2008 he joined the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), with responsibilities for some 100 redundant churches in the South West. He is now a consultant and volunteer with the CCT and the National Trust. A Francophile with links to the Normandy landings (his father helped design and build the Mulberry Harbour), he became a trustee in 2018.
Ian H. Stewart, C.M. is former co-Director of Award Productions Ltd. In 1989 was appointed as a Member of the Order of Canada. Served on the original 1994 NVA 50th Anniversary Committee, when Award Productions Ltd raised more than £10,000 for the Royal Albert Hall Concert. As a professional designer he has worked on many projects commemorating the Normandy Campaign.These include designing the Normandy Campaign Commemorative medal, launched in 1986 and the Normandy Campaign Memorial which was dedicated at the National Memorial Arboretum in 2014. He served in The Royal Navy and was appointed as a Trustee in October 1995.
Warrant Officer Class 1 Baz Firth MBE joined the Royal Navy in 1990, specialising in the Fleet Air Arm on the Lynx maritime helicopter, and has enjoyed a varied and active career spanning 29 years. With tours worldwide he has travelled to over 40 countries in his time with the Lynx helicopter and more recently has been employed in engineering capability teams, quality assurance and engineering training. Outside of his Royal Navy role he is the South West Regional Organiser for the Sporting Bears Motor Club, helping raise over £2M for children’s charities across the UK. Named on the 2013 New Year’s Honours list for his charity work and invested to MBE in 2014 he has proudly been the Trust’s Cenotaph Platoon Commander since 2014 and is very humbled to have been invited to join the Trust as a Trustee.
Angela Tait Trustee.
Fran Bradshaw is Trustee and daughter of DDay Veteran, Joe Cattini. Fran has accompanied her father on return trips to Normandy and Holland since the 70 Anniversary in 2014. Sadly he passed away in April 2023 at the age of 100. Fran has enjoyed a 40 year career in Education, teaching all subjects and all ages. Fran was a Leading Teacher and Headteacher of a Primary School before becoming County Advisor for Mathematics. After retiring, Fran has maintained an interest in education as a school governor and is truly honoured to be a Trustee.
Darius Mehta is a retired Chartered Accountant with 45 years experience with various professional firms such as PwC and later in commercial life as Finance Director in a motor dealership group. On retirement ran a B&B with his wife and was involved in a Housing Association on a part time basis assessing future housing projects, Honorary Treasurer of the Bradford on Avon Tourist Association and is currently Treasurer of the local Village Magazine
Emma Simmons is granddaughter to Major General Peter Martin who founded the Trust.
Flaminia Gold is granddaughter to Major General Peter Martin who founded the Trust. Having joined the Trust in 2016 she manages the website and social media for the charity. Flaminia works as an Analyst for SHW LLP.
There is one non trustee officer:
Honorary Secretary/ Treasurer, Mary R. Stewart formerly Company Secretary and a co-Director of Award Productions Limited with her husband Ian. In 1986 the company set up the funding of the Normandy Veterans Welfare and Benevolent Fund and continues to support the Trust in its work in meeting its objectives. Served on the original Normandy Veterans Association 50th Anniversary Committee.