June 26, 2024
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Highland RFCA welcomed new Association Chair, Wing Commander Dr David Caddick MBE JP PhD VR RAuxAF (pictured), to the appointment at the Annual Association Meeting on 20 April.
HRFCA President, Robert Balfour Esq, proposed without objections that David replace the appointment of Chair during the meeting held at Discovery Point in Dundee. Armed Forces Covenant signatory and Defence Employer Recognition Scheme (ERS) Bronze Award holder in the HRFCA-area, Dundee Heritage Trust, has responsibility for Discovery Point, home of Royal Research Ship Discovery, and Verdant Works.
Wing Commander Dr David Caddick MBE JP PhD VR RAuxAF at the Annual Association Meeting at Discovery Point in Dundee.
Former HRFCA Chair, Captain (Retired) Nick Dorman RD VR RNR, will now be taking over the role of Chair of the Council of Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations (CRFCA).
David joined the Regular Royal Air Force (RAF) Regiment in 1979 as a University Cadet and retired as a Wing Commander in 2001. He served in several roles, including light armoured operations, two operational tours in Northern Ireland, and Command of The Queen’s Colour Squadron of the Royal Air Force. He has also held staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence, Permanent Joint Headquarters, and Headquarters Strike Command.
After Regular Service, he worked as the Head of Skills Development for a regional development agency and spent a decade running his own management consultancy business until moving into higher education as a lecturer in strategic leadership and management at the University of the Highlands and Islands Business School. The University of the Highlands and Islands is an Armed Forces Covenant signatory and ERS Bronze Award holder. He then retired from academia in 2021.
He has been a part-time member of the RAF Reserve since 2007. During his Reserve career, he has commanded 2622 (Highland) Squadron Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF) Regiment at RAF Lossiemouth as well as been a Doctrine and Concepts Staff Officer, a member of the Reserve directing staff at the Joint Services Command and Staff College, and Deputy Inspector of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force.
Wing Commander Dr David Caddick in his Royal Auxiliary Air Force uniform.
He currently serves on the Base Support Group at RAF Lossiemouth. He has been mobilised to serve on operations in Afghanistan, as part of the military response to COVID-19 in Scotland, and more recently as United Nations Command Liaison Officer in Korea.
David is a Justice of the Peace, sitting on Inverness Bench, and a member of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service Board. He holds a first degree, three master’s degrees and a PhD. He was also awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in 1995.
He is married to Colonel Carolyn Caddick who is a former Army Major, retired Senior HR Manager and retired elected member of The Highland Council. The Highland Council is a Covenant signatory and ERS Gold Award holder. She is currently a Honorary Colonel to 1st Battalion The Highlanders Battalion Army Cadet Force, President of the Army Cadet Charitable Trust Scotland and Chair of the Veterans Advisory and Pensions Committee for Scotland. They have two sons: Angus, an Officer in the Parachute Regiment, and Rory, an Engineer and Officer in the Royal Engineers Reserve.
Wing Commander Dr David Caddick wearing his Regimental tie.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
“I’m originally from the industrial Black Country in the West Midlands but left there when I was 18 and joined the RAF as a University Cadet. I went on to serve around the UK and overseas before leaving Regular Service in 2001. By then I was married to Carolyn, who is from Aviemore, and we decided to settle with our two boys in Inverness.”
When did you first encounter HRFCA?
“I joined the RAF Reserve after a six-year break in Service when an old boss of mine phoned me up and asked if I’d be interested in a ‘Saturday job’. That was when I became Officer Commanding of 2622 Squadron RAuxAF Regiment in 2007 and when I also became an Ex Officio Member of HRFCA. Since then, I’ve variously been a Northern Area Committee Member; Chair of the Community, Engagement and Outreach Committee; Vice Chair (Air); and now I have the great privilege of serving as the Chair.”
What’s your role within the organisation?
“As the Chair, my role is to head the Board and the Council of HRFCA, providing direction, guidance, and a level of assurance that HRFCA is operating effectively. I work closely with the Chief Executive and his team, my fellow Board and Council Members, and the Association membership. I also sit on the CRFCA Board, representing our views alongside the other 12 UK RFCAs.”
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
“I have been a Justice of the Peace since 2018. I’m also a member of the Scottish Courts and Tribunals Service Board. Carolyn and I both enjoy hill walking and skiing, and I am a keen target shooter. I enjoy reading widely, although there never seems to be enough time to read all the books and academic papers that I want to.”
Find out more about the 2024 Annual Association Meeting.
