President
Admiral of the Fleet Sir Benjamin Bathurst, GCB, DL
Joined the Royal Navy in 1953. After general naval training, specialised in aviation and qualified as a pilot in 1960. Served in a variety of naval helicopter squadrons, becoming an Instructor in 1964. Went on to command 2 frigates as well as serving in the Ministry of Defence in a range of staff appointments. In 1982, was Director of Naval Air Warfare, responsible for advice on all aspects of naval aviation during the Falklands War. Then served in a succession of Flag appointments including Commander-in-Chief Fleet and Vice-Chief of the Defence Staff. In 1993, he became First Sea Lord and Chief of Naval Staff. Promoted Admiral of the Fleet on retirement in 1995.
Trustees
Patron – Sir Humphry Wakefield, Bart, MA (Cantab.), FRGS
Great nephew of Captain Edward Wakefield, with childhood spent in the Old House, Kendal. Owner of Chillingham Castle, Northumberland, well known for its gardens, collections and wild cattle. Former Captain 10th Royal Hussars (P.W.O.). Long-time Chairman – now Patron – of the International Wilderness Foundation; President of Northumberland Mountain Rescue Team and of the Avison Ensemble etc. Patron of the International Search Research Institute [study of the behavioural patterns of lost people] etc. A Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (London) and of the Morgan Library (New York), an elected Honorary Life Member of the Harlequins Rugby Union Club and of the Scott Polar Research Institute (Cambridge). Formerly MD of Mallett & Son (Antiques) Ltd (London) and Executive Vice-President of Mallett, America. Formerly Director of Spoleto Musical Festival of Two Worlds (Italy).
Chair – Ian Gee
LLB (Hons), Solicitor – non-practising, retired after a 41-year career when he was listed in the Legal 500 for his aviation work. Began flying in 1977; holds a Commercial Pilot’s License with instrument and seaplane ratings. He has compiled this website, given many talks on Windermere’s history of aviation and written articles. STEM Ambassador.
Anne Gee
MA (Oxon.) in modern history. Began her career as a trainee Accountant with Arthur Andersen, London. Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Bristol). Former Deputy Headteacher.
Adrian Legge
Served for 26 years in the Royal Navy and Royal Naval Reserve. Initially he trained as a pilot, but subsequently specialised in Fisheries Protection and Mine Countermeasures when commanded Fleet Minesweepers. Lives in Windermere, being a Town Councillor, former Mayor. Keenly interested in the Lake District’s rich industrial history and in Windermere’s aviation heritage.
Mike Nixon, OBE, FRAeS
Joined the Royal Navy in 1971 as a Seaman Officer, later specialising as an anti-submarine warfare helicopter pilot. Commanded at sea and ashore, including taking charge of an 8-nation effort to clear the North Arabian Gulf of mines following the first Gulf War in 1991, for which he was awarded the OBE. Served with the US Navy for 2 very happy years and had a woefully short appointment in the stunning city of Naples on a NATO assignment. Also served his time in the Ministry of Defence. Tempted out of the Navy by Rolls-Royce in 2002, spent the next 8 years as Senior Vice President and Military Advisor UK, responsible for holding the Customer account for the UK Ministry of Defence for aero engines sales and support. Chief Executive of the Fly Navy Heritage Trust from 2011 to 2015. A Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, an Upper Freeman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots, and a Founding Trustee of fly2help.org.
Kate Tripp, BEd (Hons), MA, Chartered FCIPD
A retired Royal Air Force Training Officer who started off teaching mathematics and ended up auditing Defence Training. In industry, ran a team of engineers around the world and assisted recruitment into STEM disciplines. Former Windermere & Bowness Town Councillor and Mayor.
Rob Caddick
After a 30-year Royal Air Force career, retiring as a Group Captain, followed by a number of years in the Higher and Further Education sectors, he moved into board-level management in the Third Sector with a national children’s charity. Having relocated to the Lake District 5 years ago, he decided that he wanted to use his professional experience, hard-earned skills and personal hobbies to give something back to his adopted community. He has since become a Parish Councillor, a Trustee of 3 charities and a volunteer for 2 other local charities.
Paul Wrobel, FREng, FRINA, RCNC, MA, MSc
1st in Engineering from Cambridge University and MSc (Distinction) from University College London.
Worked for 10 years in the MoD, concluding as Design Integration Engineer Manager for Upholder Class submarines.
Joined Vickers Shipbuilding and Engineering Ltd for 10 years, where appointed Technical Director during the peak of the TRIDENT Vanguard Class submarines. Led the company’s re-entry into the Surface Ship Market – winning design and delivery of both the UK’s amphibious ships LPH (HMS Ocean) and LPD (HMS Albion and Bulwark).
After acquisition of Vickers by GEC-Marconi, Director of Strategy & Planning (Command & Information systems) and Director of Business Strategy for Marconi Naval Systems.
From 2000, led multi-national team for UK arm of a major French company, winning competition for delivery of UK’s new aircraft carriers HMS Queen Elizabeth and Prince of Wales.
In 2004, joined the R&D company QinetiQ as Director of Naval Programmes, responsible for setting strategy across Naval Domain and acting as catalyst to transform the business to a successful international partner with successes in Norway, Singapore, USA and France.
In 2008, appointed as Professor of Naval Architecture at University College London, expanding post-graduate courses to students from over 30 countries and delivery of courses overseas e.g. in Singapore. He was Principal Investigator of the 2 largest ever maritime EPSRC projects – “Shipping in Changing Climates” – leading teams from 5 Universities and over 30 companies and Government agencies. These projects address how to reduce carbon emissions from a growing international shipping sector. On retiring from this role in 2017, appointed Emeritus Professor at UCL and also undertakes consultancy activities in the UK and overseas.
He was the Maritime member of the UK Government’s original FORESIGHT programme, providing evidence and recommendations on future policies. Fellow of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects and Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees, lead the recent strategic review of its activities out to 2050. Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Anne Hughes
After studying theology and education in London, spent her working life teaching secondary school children with special educational needs. Ran a Youth Hostel on the North Yorkshire Moors for 12 years and was a Regional Field Officer for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award. Aviation has always been a passion and she holds a Private Pilot Licence. Following early retirement, became a volunteer researcher for Imperial War Museum Duxford. An Air Pilot, former Editor of Beagle News for the Beagle Pup and Bulldog Club, now Chair of the Vintage Aircraft Club and a Trustee of the National Transport Trust. Recently oversaw restoration to flight of the Beagle Pup Prototype as project manager. Over the last 7 years, has worked with young people for the Light Aircraft Association. A freelance writer for aviation magazines and a published author. STEM Ambassador.
Derek Wrathall
BEng (Hons) in Aeronautical Engineering & Design. Lifelong aviation enthusiast. Varied background over 30 years in the aircraft design and manufacturing sector. Principally specialised in capability aspects of Aircraft Flight Testing and design, definition, usability and effectiveness of Cockpit Design, in close cooperation with partner companies, customers and end users.
David McDonnell, OBE, FRAeS, FRIN
Trained as a Navigator in the Royal Air Force with a career of 38 years. Predominantly flew Hercules and latterly VC10 aircraft in both Air Transport and Air-to-Air refuelling roles. Served in the Ministry of Defence. Exchange tours with the US Air Force and the Army. Operations at Brize Norton and Strike Command. His final tour was as Defence Attaché to Argentina and Uruguay. On leaving the RAF, became an Aviation Consultant for a variety of companies until retiring for the second time. Made an OBE for managing the first Gulf War logistic out-load, a Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Navigation and a Liveryman of the Honourable Company of Air Pilots.