Around 50 members of Highland RFCA from across the Highlands and Islands gathered at Queen’s Barracks in Perth for the Annual Association Meeting (AAM).
Chair, Captain Nick Dorman, opened the Business Meeting on 26 March by welcoming everyone and thanking those involved with HRFCA for all their hard work over the past year. This was the first face to face AAM since 2019, with the meeting having been delivered virtually in the interim due to COVID-19.
Chief Executive Brigadier Mark Dodson then delivered his Annual Report 21-22.
Following that it was the turn of the guest speakers to take to the floor.
First was Major General Simon Lalor, Chair of the Council of RFCA’s External Scrutiny Team. His presentation covered the implementation of the Future Reserves 2020 Programme, as well as the state of the UK’s Reserve Forces and the Future Reserves Programme 2030.
Major General Jamie Gordon, Chief Executive Council of RFCAs, followed. Maj Gen Gordon spoke on the recent history of RFCAs and their future as a Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB) and how that plan is progressing.
The morning’s final speaker was Professor Simon Denny of the University of Northampton who updated the audience on the University’s report into the social impact and return on investment of the cadet forces.
Following lunch the afternoon programme got under way with updates from Service leaders. Lieutenant Colonel Peter Kemp RM, Chief of Staff Naval Regional Command Scotland and Northern Ireland, delivered the Royal Navy update. He was followed for the Army by Colonel Tony Phillips, Deputy Commander of HQ 51 Infantry Brigade and HQ Scotland. Last, but not least, Air Vice Marshal Ross Paterson, Air Officer Scotland, delivered the RAF update.
A tri-service question and answer session followed, before HRFCA President Robert Balfour Esq, Lord-Lieutenant of Fife, closed the meeting.
The Association would like to extend its thanks to all those who contributed to an extremely successful AAM, including Lieutenant Colonel Duncan Mackinnon, CO 7 SCOTS for again hosting Highland RFCA at Queen’s Barracks.
