RAC Alumni – Terms of Reference

1. Aim. The aim of the RAC Alumni is to harness the power of the network of fellow RAC officers and soldiers in whatever capacity.

In order to:

a. Revive and reinforce a sense of belonging by linking RAC people together so they can help each other as required.

b. To help those leaving the RAC to find new employment.

c. To provide a source of advice to potential RAC officers and soldiers as recommended by the RAC Alumni.

d. Provide a conduit for the MoD to the RAC veteran community, and vice versa for up to date army / MoD veteran policy such as implementation of the Military Covenant.

e. Provide opportunities to make and share contacts.

f. Provide a context for reconnecting with old friends / colleagues by providing useful networking opportunities.

2. Structure. The RAC Alumni will be made up of two key elements as shown below.  The two parts of the organisation will be mutually supporting, the sum of which will provide the framework to deliver the aims as outlined above.

a. Employment Support. This element of the RAC Alumni will be open to all members of the wider RAC community, regardless of whether they are registered with the RAC Alumni. It will provide access to a range of free employment support resources made available through Armed Forces Covenant-signatory organisations that wish to support Service personnel, veterans and the wider military family. These resources will be accessible via the RAC Alumni pages on the RAC website at https://www.royalarmouredcorps.org.uk. In addition, individuals seeking introductions to RAC Alumni working within specific professions or business sectors should contact the Alumni Membership Secretary at alumnisecretary@royalarmouredcorps.org.uk

b. Cavalry Lunch Club (CLC) / Networking. This element of the RAC Alumni is designed to help members reconnect with former colleagues and friends while broadening their professional networks. It will provide access to networking opportunities, including Cavalry Lunch Club events and RAC Summer Drinks. Individuals who register with the RAC Alumni will be able to opt in or out of this element of the organisation. Those opting in will be invited to join the Cavalry Lunch Club LinkedIn community, providing an additional platform for networking, professional engagement and maintaining connections across the RAC family.

3. Governance. The RAC Alumni will be governed and coordinated by a small committee consisting of the following:

a. President – Ex senior RAC Officer – Currently Gen Sir James Everard KCB CBE

b. Joint Chairmanship:

(1)  Ex serving RAC Officer (Headhunter / City based) – Currently Mr Simon Vaughan-Edwards

(2)  Ex Officio Chairman (Col RAC) – Currently Col Matt Wilkinson ADC

c. Committee:

(1)  Membership Secretary (Ex serving RAC) – Currently Mr Bill Jowitt

(2)  Events Secretary (Ex serving RAC) – Currently Mr Martin Horsford

(3)  Ex Officio HQ RAC member (RAC Corps Secretary) – Currently Lt Col (Retd) Richard Watson

(4)  Ex Officio HQ RAC member (SO3 Media and Comms) – Currently Mr Gabriel Lesmoir-Gordon

(5)  Ex senior RAC Soldier member – Currently Mr Mark Budd

(6) Ex Serving RAC Officer member (Resettlement / Employee liaison) – Currently Mr Ed Plunkett

(7)  RAC Reservist Member – Currently Capt Dave Tomlin

The Chairman and Committee will meet a minimum of once a quarter in order to monitor all aspects of the Alumni organisation.  Additional meetings to organise CLC / networking events will take place as required.

4. Registration / Membership. Registration with the RAC Alumni will be open to all serving and ex serving RAC officers and soldiers that are keen to be involved regardless of time served.  This will be done via the RAC Alumni pages on the RAC Website royalarmouredcorps.org.uk/Alumni.

5.  Summary.  The RAC Alumni exists to bring together serving and former members of the RAC, irrespective of rank, regiment, or length of service, who wish to maintain their connection with the Corps and contribute to its enduring success. It is not intended to replace or compete with the strong and valued Regimental Associations and networks that already support members of individual cap badges. Rather, the RAC Alumni seeks to complement and enhance these existing arrangements by fostering connections across the wider Corps family, strengthening professional and social networks, and reinforcing the “RAC First” ethos that unites us all.