Meet The Team

Rodger Cartwright

Chief Executive Officer

Rodger is our Chief Executive. He is a strategic thinker, passionate about growing the organisation and helping as many people as possible. Rodger is a Veteran with extensive experience working in the charity sector and the emergency services. He has a wealth of knowledge and skills in strategy and safeguarding. His great interests are military history and art; if you are foolish enough to mention the Battle of Trafalgar in his presence, you are set for the next few hours. Rodger has a story for every event but shuns the limelight; you will often lose him at an event as he loves to meet, talk to people, and spread the word about The Ripple Pond. Rodger loves animals and usually has a dog or cat nearby.

Gemma Procter

Operations Manager

Gemma is our Operations Manager and longest serving member of Team TRP. She has a wealth of experience, knowledge and can always be relied upon to help point you in the right direction. Gemma is kind, compassionate and if you’re lucky enough to be her friend, she will be with you for the long haul. When you speak to Gemma you might hear her dog, Simon in the background, who feels as much a part of the team as Gemma is. She has hens in the garden, a funny story for most occasions and an abundance of IT-related mishaps that keep us all entertained.

Heather McKeown

Member Employment Service Delivery Officer

Heather is one of the world’s kindest souls. She cares deeply and is positive in being able to find a solution and way forward. Heather has a background in member care and is brilliant at the end of the phone. We all look to Heather when we hit technical snags as if Heather doesn’t know, we won’t have a chance! Heather is the person you will talk to if you are looking for some support in your employment as she works closely with The Poppy Factory. Heather has a cheeky sense of humour that you don’t always see coming. She loves spending time with her family and is impressively good with all things crafts.

Isla Strathdee

Member Service Delivery Officer

Isla is a signposting powerhouse, what she doesn’t know about the charity sector is not worth knowing. Isla is perceptive, engaging and in a team discussion will often bring a perspective that helps everyone. Isla is currently off on maternity leave, but we miss her loads and can’t wait to have her back

Sarah Parkinson

Member Service Delivery Officer

Sarah has been with The Ripple Pond for around 18 months, but has been connected with the charity for many years. Sarah has a background in pastoral care and public speaking and is passionate about caring for carers and using her voice for families. Sarah has a particular connection with the Op COURAGE Midlands partnership and loves to connect with the teams and all that they do. She is a creative soul whose brain reflects the number of tabs open on her internet browser. She loves to plan and create but is equally happy talking life through with a cup of coffee in hand. Sarah has a busy family life with three young children, a dog called Sherlock and her husband who has complex PTSD from his time in the military.

Toni Browning

Member Service Delivery Officer

It’s an absolute thrill to introduce you to Toni. Toni is flexible, capable and thrilled to learn loads to support our amazing members. Toni can put her hand to most things which is just as well as a Military spouse she has lived in 10 houses in 18 years, and navigated through jobs to both fit in with and support military life. Toni loves spending time with family and getting outdoors for a run. As a family after moving around so much they are in the process of building their forever family home and can’t wait to settle into it soon.

Carolyn Aggar

Engagement Officer

Carolyn is our Engagement Officer. She has a varied professional background and a confident, entrepreneurial spirit – she’s a strategic thinker who will usually think of the big, bold ideas first then find a way to get them done – although she’s actually fairly reserved and prefers to get to know someone before she’ll talk their ears off! Her passion for working with the military and veteran communities was developed when she spent two years living in Cyprus with her husband and working for a military charity. Carolyn now lives rurally and is happiest when spending time outdoors with her husband and young son; she’s often found in wellies, knee deep in mud looking at bugs or frogs or the like!

Amanda Sapsford

Member Service Delivery Officer

More details to follow

Meet Our Trustees

Behind every charity there is a Board of Trustees. These Trustees are the unpaid and often unsung heroes of the charity sector. Our Trustees are so passionate about supporting the military community, that they voluntarily give up their own time to oversee the running of The Ripple Pond. They all work incredibly hard, making hugely important decisions about how we operate, and about the services that we provide to our Members. Theirs is a vital role, and we wouldn’t be where we are without them.

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Brigadier Andrew Wood

Chair of the Trustees

Brigadier Andrew Wood has served in the Armed Forces for 40 years, having begun his military career with the Royal Naval Reserve during the Falklands campaign in 1982. After an initial four years served in mine countermeasures as a seaman, Andrew transferred to the Territorial Army, in order to conduct bomb disposal training as a sapper in the Royal Engineers. Andrew commissioned as an officer at Sandhurst in 1992, and shortly after qualified as an Advanced Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) operator. Andrew saw active service commanding the EOD detachment in Bosnia in 1997, and subsequently served on operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. His final role was as Deputy Director Land Warfare. Speaking of his appointment as Chair of the Board of Trustees at The Ripple Pond, Andrew said: “My time spent in the ranks has served me well – it has shaped me as an officer over the last thirty years, allowing me to better understand the pressures facing young service men and women. Whilst service personnel and veterans face numerous challenges, their service families are often facing challenges of their own. It is for this reason that I am passionate about taking on the role of Chair of Trustees, in order to serve more service families.”

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Our Board of Trustees

The Ripple Pond’s board of trustees is a diverse and dynamic group, bringing together a rich tapestry of experiences and expertise. This diversity ensures that our charity is guided by a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by carers within the Armed Forces community. Our trustees come from varied backgrounds, including senior managers, veterans, and serving military personnel. This mix of professional and military experience allows us to benefit from a range of leadership styles and strategic insights. The presence of both commissioned and non-commissioned ranks among our trustees ensures that we capture a wide spectrum of military perspectives, fostering a comprehensive understanding of the Armed Forces environment. Crucially, many of our trustees have lived experience, either as injured service members or as carers themselves. This firsthand knowledge provides invaluable empathy and insight, ensuring that our policies and initiatives are deeply rooted in the real-life experiences of those we aim to support. In addition to their military and caregiving backgrounds, our trustees bring specialist skills that are essential to the effective governance of our charity. These include expertise in areas such as healthcare, mental health, finance, governance, and organisational development. Their diverse social and cultural backgrounds further enrich our board, promoting inclusivity and broadening our understanding of the various communities we serve. This blend of professional, military, and personal experiences ensures that The Ripple Pond is well-equipped to meet the needs of our community. Our trustees’ commitment to our mission is unwavering, as they leverage their varied skills and experiences to drive our vision forward, ensuring that everyone caring for a loved one in our Armed Forces communities “feels seen, heard, and supported”.

Our Board of Trustees: Simon Broomfield, Jonathan Werrett, Dan Arnold, Jessica Cheesman, Rachel Terry
Jackie Watts, Sarah Cook, Kathleen Parker, Gemma Begley

Meet The Team

Meet Our Trustees

Our Board of Trustees

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