Senior Supporters
Michael Cole-Fontayn
Patron
Michael Cole-Fontayn
Michael is Chairman of the Association for Financial Markets in Europe , Chairman for The Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment ( CISI) and an Independent Director of FICC Markets Standards Board, having previously spent 35 years with BNY Mellon, the last 7 years serving as Chairman of BNY Mellon Europe, Middle East and Africa.
In addition, Michael sits on numerous financial service industry associations, committtes and boards, including the British American Business International Advisory Board, the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum (OMFIF) Advisory Board, the Global Financial Markets Association (GFMA), and Co-chairs the Wholesale Banking Group of the European Financial Services Chairman’s Advisory Council (EFSCAC).
Michael is on the Court of The Merchant Taylors Livery Company, is a Trustee of a mental health charity CWMT Org and an Advisory Board Member of the City Mental Health Alliance.
Major General Eldon Millar
MOD Sponsor
Maj Gen Eldon Millar
Major General Eldon Millar is the Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (People Capability) and the Defence Services Secretary. He is responsible for the people focused strategy, change and talent management policy across Defence as well as representing the Armed Forces to the Sovereign.
His previous role was Head of International, Communications and Engagement for the British Army. Prior to which he commanded 8 Engineer Brigade, with the aligned responsibilities as the UK’s Joint Force Engineer and Commander Royal Engineers for the Field Army.
Lt Gen James Swift OBE
Patron
Lt Gen James Swift CB OBE
Lieutenant General James Swift was the Chief of Defence People for the Ministry of Defence before retiring from military service in 2022 after a career spanning 33 years.
His previous role was General Officer Commanding of the 3rd (United Kingdom) the UK's high-readiness warfighting Division. Prior to which he was Assistant Chief of the General Staff (ACGS) where he led on corporate strategy and was the Chief of Staff of the Army. He was Head of Capability Strategy in the MOD for the Strategic Defence and Security Review in 2015. Before that he commanded 20th Armoured Brigade from 31st May 2012.
He was Colonel Army Strategy in the MOD over the period of the Strategic Defence and Security Review 2010 and the subsequent design of Army 2020. Prior to that he commanded the 2nd Battalion the Royal Welsh, which was defined by command of the Manoeuvre Battle Group on Op TELIC 10 between May and December 2007.
David Sayer
Patron
David Sayer
David was the Vice Chair of KPMG in the UK and was previously Global Head of Banking before retiring in 2022.. He was the sponsor of the Military network within KPMG, through which the firm has successfully recruited many veterans over the last decade.
David joined KPMG in 2005 having been a partner for ten years in PWC Consulting and then IBM after the sale of the business in 2002. He spent twelve years on a Senior Executive development programme with Lloyds Bank having qualified with PwC. He was elected to the KPMG UK Board between 2012 - 2017. He leads KPMG’s relationships across the strategic trade corridors with China and Asia Pacific, as well as representing the firm on several Government boards, including; The HM Treasury Professional Services Council and The BEIS Professional and Business Services Council.
The Committee
Francis Roseman
Chairman
Francis spent 8 years as an officer with The Queen’s Royal Hussars, serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. He then joined Citigroup on the Veterans Programme - an initiative that is now highly successful, hiring permanent candidates across the business. He is a Private Banker for Ultra High Net Worth clients and Chairs Citi SALUTES, the internal Military Network. He is also a Trustee of The Not Forgotten, a National Service charity and remains an officer with the Army Reserve.
Sid Welham
Head of Events
Sid served 19 years as an infantry officer, first with the Royal Regiment of Wales and latterly the Royal Welsh. He is currently COO of the international law firm HFW. Prior to this, he spent eight years working for KPMG across their Financial Services practice, finishing up as the FS COO, establishing both their military network and a highly successful Service Leavers Programme. Sid is also on the Committee of the recently established Military in Law Network (MiLNet), a partner network to the City Veterans CIC.
Andy Mallows
Head of Sponsorship
Andy served 16 years as a Royal Marines Commando Officer, deploying multiple times to Iraq, Afghanistan and East Africa.
He is currently the Chief of Staff at St. James’s Place and has been responsible for establishing SJP’s Military Network and helping develop their wider armed forces initiatives.
Andy Thomson
Auctions Lead
Andy spent 20 years in the Royal Artillery, serving on operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, and Afghanistan. Leaving the Army after regimental command in 2014, he joined UBS’s Compliance and Operational Risk Control department in a surveillance role. Andy co-founded the UBS Veterans’ Network, serving as co-chair for 2 years and representing them on the City Veterans’ committee. Moving into the Defence industry in 2018, Andy is now the Saab UK Marketing and Sales Director for Surveillance products.
Freddie Siswick
Comms and Marketing co-Lead
Freddie left the military in 2018 having served 7 years in the Army with the Royal Artillery. During his military career he deployed to Afghanistan, Estonia and undertook several exercises in Canada. Upon leaving the military Freddie joined the KPMG Military Internship which he was introduced to through a City Veterans networking event. He is now working as a Cyber Security Consultant at BDO.
Pete Flynn
Tables Coordinator
Peter served as an officer in the Parachute Regiment for 25 years, spending time abroad as well as two years in the Royal Household as Equerry to TRH The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall. Peter is now a Director at PwC where he specialises in career transition, senior talent management, general consulting and facilitating strategy planning sessions for charities and Not For Profit organisations. He is also on the board of a number of charities, and is Vice Chair of the Royal National College for the Blind.
Charles Hardaker
Treasurer
Charles served with The Queen’s Gurkha Engineers for 8 years, leading troops on operations in the UK, Afghanistan, Africa and the Middle East. He then joined Citi working in technology and product development in the Investment Banking division and Citi Ventures; where he worked for over 4 years and was an avid Citi Salutes committee member. He now works at Transcard, a fast-growing payments FinTech, as their Regional Head (EMEA and LATAM) and Global Head of Sales.
Laurence Whittingham
Head of Recruitment
Laurence spent 7 years in the British Army serving in The Queen’s Royal Lancers. During his career he completed two operational tours of Afghanistan as well as serving in Eastern Europe, Canada, Australia, and the UK. He joined Citi in 2015 through their veterans programme and now works on the London trading floor as part the Western Europe Corporate FX business. Laurence is part of the Citi London Salutes committee where he heads up military recruitment across London.
William McManners
William spent 10 years in the British Army, and served as an officer in a Specialist Military Unit, Commando and JTAC. He has deployed on numerous global operations, led multi- agency teams, and was a West Africa Head of Department for the FCO, based in Abuja Nigeria. He completed the BlackRock Veterans Programme in 2020 and is a Venture Capital Investor at Investbridge Capital UK. He also supports a Military Charity based in Poole, Dorset.
Miranda Mallows
MOD Liaison
Miranda spent 7 years as an officer in the Royal Air Force, where she deployed globally and held staff roles including a private office in the Ministry of Defence Headquarters, Whitehall. She then joined Bain & Company before her current role as Chief of Staff in a multi-family office. Miranda is also a member of the Millennial Council for DIAL Global, a community of leaders passionate about creating a diverse and inclusive society and helping organisations unlock more innovation, more creativity and more profitability.
Ella Henderson
Comms and Marketing co-Lead
Ella is a Consultant at Montfort Communications, an award-winning reputation management consultancy. She specialises in corporate and financial communications, media relations, policy engagement and issues management.
Ben Watson
Secretary/Chief of Staff
Ben spent 4 years as an Officer in the British Army, serving within 7th Parachute Regiment Royal Horse Artillery. During this time, he deployed on various multi-national exercises with 16 Air Assault Brigade and was employed as both a Command Post Officer and a Gun Position Officer.
He is currently undertaking the Military Salutes Scheme with Citi Private Bank.