Richard Williams MC has been named as the new Chair of veterans’ charity Royal Star & Garter. He succeeds Major General (Ret’d) Tim Tyler CB, who reaches the end of his term of office in July, after a decade as Chair.

The former Welsh Guardsman, who has been sitting on the Royal Star & Garter Board of Governors as Chair Designate since January this year, said “It is a privilege to support former members of the Armed Forces through our charity’s important work.”

Tim Tyler has played an instrumental role in the growth of the charity, supporting the development of the newest Home in High Wycombe, championing the recent merger with Care for Veterans and helping to steer the charity through the many challenges of the coronavirus pandemic.

Royal Star & Garter provides loving, compassionate care to veterans and their partners living with disability or dementia. The charity has care homes in Solihull, Surbiton, High Wycombe and Worthing, with wider services reaching out into the community and nationwide.

Richard’s appointment as Chair follows an extensive recruitment process. He will focus on developing the charity’s strategy for the next decade with a focus on reaching more veterans and their families across the country.

Richard was commissioned into the Welsh Guards in 1986 and returned to the Army after university. He went on to a number of training and command roles and served in many theatres throughout a varied operational career.

While serving under the United Nations in Cambodia in the early 1990s, Richard was involved in multiple operations to enable the emerging peace process. As a team medic he helped save the lives of more than 100 civilians, combatants and UN personnel. His role observing and reporting on the fighting brought him into regular contact with the notorious Khmer Rouge guerillas, at one stage being captured and held hostage by them. He was awarded the Military Cross for gallantry for his actions in Cambodia.

In 1997, following the death of Diana, Princess of Wales, he led the bearer party of eight Welsh Guardsmen during her state funeral.

Richard left the Army as a Major in 1999 and went on to work at the Cabinet Office and in senior executive roles in insurance and international banking. He has been a trustee of veterans’ and youth development charities for over twenty years and volunteers as an Ambulance Service First Responder in the South West. He is married to Sarah and is the father to two grown-up daughters.

‘Thrilled to be involved’

Regarding his appointment as Chair, Richard commented: “This is a time of significant change at Royal Star & Garter and I am excited to bring to its Governing Body my experience in overseeing and managing the challenges, risks and opportunities that such change presents. Tim leaves the charity in great shape and as trustees we must continue to build on our strengths and challenge ourselves and the leadership team to be better and do more to reach the veteran community. As a veteran myself, I am thrilled to be involved in our charity’s important work to support the Armed Forces family and to look for ways to contribute more to it.”

‘Helping more veterans and their families than ever before’

Andy Cole OBE, Chief Executive at Royal Star & Garter, said: “It is our privilege to welcome Richard into the Royal Star & Garter family as our new Chair. He joins us as we are expanding our reach following a recent merger, helping more veterans and their families than ever before. His experience, knowledge and support will help us continue to provide outstanding care to this country’s Armed Forces community.”

Royal Star & Garter is welcoming new residents into its Homes. For more information on this, its other services or to work for the charity, go to www.starandgarter.org