RAF Museum Ambassador Profiles

Duncan Barber

A life-long supporter of the Royal Air Force and the RAF Museum, Duncan founded AMSS Ltd. in 1977, becoming one of Europe’s largest family-run businesses which designed and manufactured Aircraft Ground Support Equipment (GSE). As well as the special relationship with RAF, the company formed strategic business partnerships with military and security agencies, inter-governmental and multi-national organisations, including the US Department of Defence, Japanese Defence Agency, NATO, United Nations, BAE Systems and Boeing. The client portfolio comprised all major airlines, including British Airways, United Airlines, Korean Air and Etihad. In 2017 the business was sold to an American Corporation, who retained the factory facility and all staff.

Duncan remains a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society (FRAeS), Ambassador of the RAF Museum and trained RAFA Befriender, as well as continuing to privately sponsor and support RAF Sport, RABF and various RAF Charities. He also liaises with RAFAC in his local area.

In 2019, he was recipient of the Queen’s Commission to hold the rank of Honorary Group Captain within 601 Squadron RAuxAF.

He holds a particular passion for motor cars, owning a unique collection of classic and vintage motor cars at his home in Llandough, a small village in South Wales. He resides there with his partner Jane and five Old English Sheepdogs.

Shrabani Basu

Shrabani Basu is a journalist and Sunday Times best-selling author. Her books include the critically acclaimed The Mystery of the Parsee Lawyer: Arthur Conan Doyle, George Edalji and the Case of the Foreigner in the English Village, For King and Another Country: Indian Soldiers on the Western Front 1914-18, Victoria & Abdul: The True Story of the Queen’s Closest Confidant (now a major Oscar-nominated motion picture starring Dame Judi Dench and Ali Fazal) Spy Princess: The Life of Noor Inayat Khan, and Curry: The Story of the Nation’s Favourite Dish. She has always combined her skills as a journalist with her love of history and focussed on the hidden stories thrown up by 200 years of British rule in India.

She is the founder and chair of the Noor Inayat Khan Memorial Trust which campaigned for a memorial for the World War II heroine in London. It was unveiled by Princess Anne in 2012.

Shrabani is a frequent commentator on radio and television on Indian history and Empire.

Peter Brown

Peter Brown leads PwC’s Global People and Organisation practice, having joined as a partner in 2010. He has over 20 years’ experience as a workforce transformation expert, working with large multinational organisations to help them tackle their people and workforce challenges.

Prior to working in professional services, Pete served in the Royal Air Force and continues his support as a Trustee of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust with a focus on inspiring STEM skills within young people who also have an interest in aviation and space. He is an Hon Group Captain in No 601 (City of London) Squadron, RAuxAF and was appointed MBE in 1999 for his services to the Royal Air Force.

Angela Coleman

Angela has been a Trustee and Council Member of The Air League and is currently the Executive Director of the RAF Museum American Foundation.  

She has over thirty years’ experience in the aerospace industry.  From Flight International she joined the UK Trade Association, Society of British Aerospace Companies (now ADS), and organisers of Farnborough International as Head of Protocol, subsequently Head of Sponsorship working for Farnborough, overseas exhibitions and wider industry initiatives. In 2000, she took up a role as Head of Events and Sponsorship for the international law firm Norton Rose Fulbright who had a large aviation practice.  In 2005 she formed her own events company specialising in aerospace-related events and publications.

Angela is passionate about the industry and the mission of encouraging youngsters to a career in aerospace by honouring the achievements of the RAF and USAF veterans and current Exchange Officers.

Angela lives and works in the UK, acting as a lynchpin between the RAF Museum and the Foundation and works to promote the Foundation by reinforcing the close association of the RAF and USAF and their corporate partners through events and publications.

Tony Edwards

RAF Museum Ambassador Tony Edwards is President of Aviation Heritage UK and Vice President of the Guild of Aviation Artists.

He is past President of both the Society of British Aerospace Companies and the Royal Aeronautical Society and former Chairman of The Air League. He was Trustee of the RAF Museum and Chairman of the Fundraising Committee. He was Trustee of the Aircrew Association Archive Trust, Battle of Britain Memorial Trust and Fly Royal Navy Heritage Trust. He was Chairman of the RAF Air Cadets Commandant’s Action Group.

Tony was Head of Defence Export Services at the UK Ministry of Defence and Visiting Professor of the UK Defence Academy. He was member of both the Aviation Committee for the Department of Trade & Industry and the National Defence Industries Council.

He served a five-year apprenticeship with Rolls-Royce Aero Engines, read Production Engineering at Birmingham University and achieved an MBA with Distinction at Harvard Business School, subsequently joining the faculty as Lecturer. He held senior managerial positions in four countries: General Electric (USA), Motorola (Denmark), Bombardier/ Canadair (Canada), Lucas Aerospace and TI/Dowty Group (UK).

Tony is Past Master of the Worshipful Company of Coachmakers and Coach Harness Makers and a Liveryman of both the Worshipful Company of Engineers and the Honourable Company of Air Pilots.

HRH the Duke of Edinburgh presented him with The Air League Gold Medal for Services to the Cause of Aviation.

Wg Cdr Andy Green

Wg Cdr Andy Green is a retired RAF fighter pilot. He has had what he describes as the ‘world’s best day job’, flying the F-4 Phantom and the Tornado F3, with operational tours including the Balkans, the Middle East and the Falklands Islands. 

Wg Cdr Green attended Oxford University on an RAF Scholarship and graduated with First Class Honours in Mathematics. As well as completing a flying career in the RAF, Andy is also the current holder of the World Land Speed Record, being the first and only person to break the sound barrier on land. 

While Wg Cdr Green is still the fastest man on Earth, his first love is the Royal Air Force. Having now retired from full-time Service, he is once again a member of Oxford University Air Squadron, providing air experience flying for the Air Cadets and helping to inspire the next generation with the wonders of flying.

Lady Elaine Hillier

Since becoming a member of the Royal Air Force Family almost 40 years ago, Elaine has gained wide ranging knowledge of the work of RAF and military charities, focused on providing welfare and community support to Service people and their families. She believes the particular contribution of RAF families – supporting, sustaining and remembering those who serve or have served - has been integral to the RAF story throughout its history and therefore is an important aspect of the great work done by the RAF Museum.

Elaine is currently a Life Vice President of the RAF Benevolent Fund and a member of their Council, a Non-Executive Director of RAF Association Trading, a member of the RAF Widows' Association Advisory Council and, for the last nine years, a volunteer at the Royal Hospital Chelsea supporting the military veteran community. She has previously been a Vice President of SSAFA, a RAFA Welfare Committee member, and served on the RAFBF Education and Main Grants Committees.

Group Capt Keith Ifould

Group Capt. (Retd) Keith Ifould has been involved in the heritage and charity sectors at both management and trustee levels since leaving the RAF in 2001. He has wide experience in these sectors, both nationally and internationally, ranging from museums to the air ambulance organisations.  As well as supporting the RAF Museum on an individual basis, he also served as Business Development Director for the Museum for several years. He has been key to raising funding for a number of the Museum’s major projects.

Keith has extensive experience in facilitating funding for major projects and bringing together required teams and expertise to optimise major business opportunities. This has included working with national and international government departments, as well as private finance and commercial organisations. He also has had extensive business management experience and he is currently a director of several companies involving funding for major projects. He was awarded a CBE in 2000.

Jonathan Knight

Jonathan Knight is a Senior Civil Servant and member of the Diplomatic Service, with postings in the Middle East and Europe, and in London roles in the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, Royal Household, Home Office and Ministry of Defence. He has advised Ministers and senior commanders on a range of operational issues and continues to serve as a senior leader in Government, most recently leading Defence efforts across the Indo-Pacific. As a civilian, Jonathan has been appointed a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order, an Officer of the Order of St John, and has received the Iraq Reconstruction Service Medal.

Jonathan is a former Air Cadet with 211 (Newbury) Squadron and St Bartholomew's School CCF, winner of both RAF Sixth Form and Flying Scholarships, and read Politics and International Relations at Aberdeen on an RAF University Bursary. Serving briefly in the regular RAF before switching careers to the Diplomatic Service and joining the Reserves, he has served as an officer in the Royal Auxiliary Air Force since 2010. The first ab-initio Reservist to qualify as an Airborne Specialist, he was mobilised for Op SHADER and currently serves as commander of a specialist squadron supporting strategic outcomes across Defence. 

Jonathan has also volunteered at the Royal International Air Tattoo for nearly 20 years, including acting as Royal Visits Supervisor since 2014. In this role he has planned and delivered a range of events including the Tattoo's 2018 RAF Centenary ceremony, visits by members of the UK and foreign Royal Families, and numerous other bespoke engagements for Government Ministers and Chiefs of Air Forces from across the globe.

Joshua Levine

Joshua Levine is a bestselling author who has written eight acclaimed popular histories. He has written and presented a number of documentaries for BBC Radio 4 and fronted the film ‘Dunkirk: The New Evidence’ for Channel 4. He worked as Historical Consultant on Christopher Nolan’s acclaimed film, Dunkirk, and his book on the subject spent five weeks at the top of the Sunday Times bestseller list. He has enjoyed a long and comprehensive relationship with the Museum, currently serving as a speaker for the Museum’s Jewish ‘Hidden Heroes’ event series.

Paul Newman

Paul has been a constant presence in the City’s financial and derivatives markets for nearly forty years. After graduating with a Bachelor’s degree from University of Leicester where he learnt to fly with the East Midlands University Air Squadron, Paul joined Hong Kong Shanghai Banking Corporation’s graduate intake and was assigned to the British Bank of The Middle East subsidiary.

In 1990, Paul co-founded ICAP ENERGY Ltd, a part of ICAP plc, where he led the business for 26 years as CEO and then Chairman. He also Chaired ICAP’s international Ship Broking subsidiary, and was later elected the first Chairman of The London Oils Brokers Association.

His charitable works include co-founding the ICAP Charity Day in 1993, as well as serving in The Prince’s Charities Council at Clarence House, as a Governor and a Council Member Trustee of the Ditchley Foundation and an Ambassador for the Royal Air Forces Association. He is also an Honorary Group Captain with 601 ‘County of London’ Sqn and the Royal Auxiliary Air Force. He lives in London and France with his wife and son.

Veronica Pickering

Veronica Pickering DL is an Executive Coach and Diversity and Partnership Consultant with a proven track record of developing partnerships between organisations, charities and individuals, both nationally and internationally. She graduated from East London University with a degree in social work.

For over 35 years she has been entirely people focused, working tirelessly to support multicultural communities through her social work practice, as a Guardian-ad-litem and as a child-protection consultant in Africa. Veronica’s passion for communities and social work has seen her work as a consultant in Africa for UNICEF, Save the Children, IRC and many others. In doing so she has developed extensive networks that have enabled her to advise global companies on their partnerships and corporate social responsibility programmes, connecting them with charitable organisations, governments and diplomats.

Veronica continues to expand and develop her connections both in the UK and abroad. In 2013 she was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant for Nottinghamshire and in 2018 as an RAF Honorary Air Commodore (504 County of Nottingham Squadron). She is an RSPB Council Member and trustee as well as a member of the RSPB England Committee and a National Ambassador for both The Woodland Trust and for UK RAF Museums.

Regionally, she is a trustee for New Perspectives Theatre Company and Belvoir Cricket & Countryside Trust. Veronica also supports numerous local and charitable organisations including: the Black Achievers Awards, Backlit Studios Nottingham and also Quarrylab, she is also an ambassador for Mojatu Foundation and Priory Church, Worksop and has supported the arts and artists for many years. Veronica is a Nottinghamshire High Sheriff in Nomination for appointment in 2023/24.

Sir Andrew Pulford GCB CBE DL

Air Chief Marshal Sir Andrew Pulford joined the Royal Air Force in 1977 as a Support Helicopter pilot. During his flying career he accumulated over 5,000 hours on both Wessex and Chinook helicopters, serving primarily in Germany but including exchange tours with the Royal Navy’s Commando Helicopter Force and the Royal Australian Air Force. He has seen operational service in Northern Ireland, the Falkland Islands, Lebanon, the Balkans and the Gulf.

Sir Andrew enjoyed a wide variety of junior ground appointments including staff posts in Headquarters Northern Ireland and the British Army’s doctrine organisation, and two years as Personal Staff Officer to the Chief of the Air Staff. As Station Commander of Royal Air Force Odiham, he commanded the UK Chinook Force through a period of unprecedented operational activity, including large scale deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq.

His senior appointments included: Director of Air Resources and Plans; command of the Royal Air Force’s Air Transport, Air-to-Air Refuelling and Surveillance forces; two years as Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Operations); and three years as Deputy Commander Capability at Air Command, responsible for all RAF personnel and equipment procurement matters.

Sir Andrew took command of his Service as Chief of the Air Staff in July 2013 and served a full 3 years in post, overseeing the Royal Air Force’s contribution to operations in Afghanistan, Iraq and Syria, and leading the successful Air input to the Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2015.

He joined BAE Systems as Senior Military Adviser in 2017. He was Chair of Trustees of the RAF Museum until March 2022.

Sir Peter Rigby

In 1975, Sir Peter Rigby founded the Rigby Group, a multinational service-based holding company for a portfolio of privately owned businesses. Headquartered in Stratford-upon-Avon, it is in the Top 200 Global 100% family-owned enterprises.  This is principally Information Technology but also includes Aviation, Airports, Hotels, Financial Services and Property.  In 2002, Sir Peter was knighted for his contribution to IT and business in the Midlands.

Away from the Rigby Group, Sir Peter has chaired the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership (CWLEP).  He served as a Trustee for 5 years with the RAF Museum and is also a trustee of several key charities, including The Rigby Foundation. The Foundation has invested significantly in active projects and causes relating to lifelong learning, health and education, and is supported by strategic guidance and oversight from senior Rigby Group executives. 

Robin Southwell

Robin’s career has been primarily focused in the aerospace industry, having initially joined BAE Systems upon leaving university in 1981. His early career at BAE Systems included marketing and negotiating contracts for commercial and military aircraft worldwide. He established the Asset Management Organisation in the mid-1990s before moving to Australia for three years, during which time the Royal Australian Air Force selected both the BAE Hawk and missile systems from MBDA. Robin was with the Airbus Group from 2003 to 2014, initially as CEO of Airtanker Ltd, during which time he secured the largest military PFI in history with the RAF. Currently, Robin is Chairman of Linley, Quest Aviation Services, Governors of Parkside, Airbase Group Ltd and On-Air Dining. Furthermore, he is a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, and NED of Shearwater Group, Bellevue Racing and Farnborough International Limited. He is also a Governor of Parkside School, and was appointed by Prime Minister David Cameron as a UK Business Ambassador. 

Sir Glenn Torpy

Air Chief Marshal Sir Glenn Torpy spent 35 years in the Royal Air Force. His operational flying career included two tours flying the Jaguar in the reconnaissance and attack roles, a tour as a Qualified Weapons Instructor on the Hawk and command of a Tornado GR1A tactical reconnaissance squadron. In this latter role he saw active service during the First Gulf War, for which he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. In 1994 he assumed command of Royal Air Force Brüggen in Germany, the RAF’s largest Tornado base. During his subsequent career he served as Assistant Chief of Staff J3 (Operations), Assistant Chief of the Defence Staff (Operations), Air Officer Commanding No 1 Group (when he was also the UK Air Component Commander for the Second Gulf War) and Chief of Joint Operations. Sir Glenn took over as Chief of the Air Staff in 2006 and retired from the Royal Air Force in 2009. He joined BAE Systems as Senior Military Advisor in 2011 and became Chair of Trustees of the RAF Museum in 2012.  Sir Glenn retired from BAE Systems and his role as Chair of the Museum in 2019.  He is a Fellow of both the Royal Aeronautical Society and City and Guilds Institute, and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers. 

Air Marshal Sir David Walker

Air Marshal Sir David Walker served in the RAF for 37 years. His early career included the appointment of Equerry to The Queen, secondment to the Diplomatic Service in South Africa, and command of RAF Halton. He was promoted to Air Commodore in 1998 as Director of Public Relations (RAF), and then became Director of Personnel and Training Policy in 2001. In 2003, on promotion to Air Vice-Marshal, he assumed command of 22 Group, where he was responsible for flying and aeronautical engineering training for all 3 Armed Services, and all other education and training for the RAF.

In 2005, Sir David was again seconded to Buckingham Palace, as Master of the Royal Household, remaining in this post until 2013. He then moved to the Financial Services Industry as Senior Advisor to the Group Chairman of HSBC, followed by similar advisory work with Barclays and PwC. He has been a member of the Board of AMS, a global talent solutions business, since 2015, and in 2020 was appointed Senior Advisor to the Board of Sova Assessment, a deliverer of SaaS psychometrics to governments and global corporations.

Sir David remains an Extra Equerry to The Queen and is a Deputy Lieutenant of Gloucestershire. He is Honorary Air Commodore of 603 (City of Edinburgh) Squadron, a Vice Patron of the Royal International Air Tattoo, and President of the RAF Club. He is also a Liveryman of the Worshipful Companies of Bakers, and Distillers. His interests include classic cars, the countryside, and military history. He is married to Jane, a retired specialist nurse, who is Chair of the Gloucestershire County Priory Group of the Order of St John.

Malcolm White

Malcolm was born in Somerset and spent his early years in Nigeria. On return to the UK, he went to School in Dorset, prior to joining the Royal Air Force (RAF) in 1971. He flew the Hunter, Harrier, and various helicopters, each of which are on display in the collection. After a thirty-year career having commanded the Joint Harrier Force, serving as Commandant Air at the joint Services Staff College and later directing UK Joint Force Training Team at Northwood, he moved to the defence aerospace sector.

Malcolm was appointed as a Trustee to the RAF Museum in 2004 and in October 2010, the Chairman of the Bomber Command Memorial Project tasked to deliver the Memorial in Green Park in June 2012.  Later, he Chaired the Museum’s Trustee Centenary Development Committee tasked to oversee the transformation programme which was opened to the public on 30 June 2018.  He has since stood down as a Trustee to become an Ambassador to the Museum.  Malcolm is an Upper Freeman of The City of London and served as Master of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots from March 2019 to 2020. Malcolm’s wife Vanessa has worked as PA to the DG/CEO at the Museum for some 30 years.

Graham Wynn OBE

Graham was born into a large Shropshire farming family and followed a career in engineering. In the 1980s Graham was appointed a Magistrate for Shropshire serving on the Telford bench.

In the 1990s, Graham and his wife, Jenny, founded Telford based TTC Group, the largest driver education and retraining organisation in the UK. Graham also served on the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety.
In 2006, he was awarded the OBE for services to Road Safety. Graham and Jenny retired from the TTC Group in 2017.

In 2011 Graham joined the board of Marches Local Enterprise Partnership serving Shropshire, Herefordshire and Telford &Wrekin he was appointed Chairman in 2013. In addition, Graham also served on the Midlands Connect Board and the board of the National LEP Network representing six West Midlands LEPs. He stood down in 2019 after serving his full six-year term as Head of the LEP.

Graham was a founding member of Telford Business Partnership, and former Chair of Telford Business Board and various growth companies for Telford. In 2016, Graham’s work with Business and Entrepreneurship regionally and nationally was recognised by the University of Wolverhampton and he was awarded the honorary degree of Doctor of Business Administration.

More recently, Mr and Mrs Wynn have created the Wynn Foundation, a charity to support community needs and create opportunities for groups and individuals across Shropshire and support them to prosper. 

Graham is an Owner/Director of Wynn Developments, a property management and investment company, and Elmhurst Care Home in Prees.

Jenny Wynn

Jenny was born and raised in Shropshire. Whilst she spent time away at university and as a Probation Officer in Worcestershire, she returned back to the county in 1989 through a promotion within the Probation Service and has spent all her working life since in the county.

Committed to crime prevention and education, in 1992, Jenny wrote one of the first pilot drink-drive rehabilitation courses for the Department of Transport (now DfT) and with her husband, Graham, formed a driver education and retraining company, the TTC Group, which grew to be the largest National driver retraining companies in the UK. Along with her husband, Jenny retired from TTC in 2017.

In 2017 Jenny and Graham, along with their children, set up the Wynn Foundation, a charity giving grants to individuals and organisations predominantly in Shropshire, particularly focused on addressing a wide range of social issues. Jenny is also a director of Wynn Developments and Elmhurst Care Home in Prees.

Committed to charity work, Jenny chairs the Albrighton Village Halls Trust, recently leading the local community response to COVID-19. She is also a committee member of Sight Loss Shropshire and a founder member of Shropshire Youth Support Trust.

Jenny is a member of the Shropshire Lieutenancy, a Deputy Lieutenant from 2016 she has recently been appointed Vice Lord-Lieutenant of Shropshire. She is a member of the Queens Award for Voluntary Service panel and chair of the Honours panel.

She is married to Graham and kept fit by nine young grandchildren.