RFCA
for Yorkshire and The Humber
Reserve Forces' and Cadets' Association
People
Chairman - Captain Ian Michael ROBINSON OBE RD RNR
Ian joined the Naval Reserves in 1979, spending most of his time working from HMS SHERWOOD in Nottingham. He qualified as a training manager, a communications officer and a specialist in the guidance and management of merchant shipping. After commanding HMS SHERWOOD from 1991-94, he was appointed to the national staff to head up the embryonic RNR Logistics specialisation.
Ian subsequently took responsibility for all the shore-based specialisations in the Reserve, and was appointed as President of the RNR Rifle Association in 2002, a post he held for six years, during which he presided over Naval Reserve small arms training and the annual skill-at-arms meetings.
On promotion to Captain in 2001, Ian was appointed to the Senior Management Board of the RNR, initially as Director Personnel, then as Director Strategic Planning. Following the establishment of the Maritime Reserves organisation, he took responsibility for introducing a regional command structure for the RNR, and went on to command the Naval Reserve Regions in Northern England and Scotland and Northern Ireland on behalf of Commander Maritime Reserves. Ian was mobilised and deployed on operations in the Gulf in 2002. He stood down from active RNR service in September 2009, and has been Chairman of the Association since April 2009.
In 2010 Ian was awarded the OBE for services to the Maritime Reserves.
Ian has been Vice Chairman Navy on the National Council of the RFCAs since 2003. In his civilian life, on leaving the Regular Navy in 1979, Ian has held a number of posts as an academic in the University sector, and currently works as Professor of Engineering Education, Dean of Quality Enhancement and Director of the Graduate School at a University in the North of England.
Chief Executive, Colonel (Retd) Carron E M Snagge
Carron Snagge was commissioned into the Royal Green Jackets (RGJ) in 1971, initially as a short service officer and later as a regular officer.
Throughout his service, Carron Snagge has served all over the world, including numerous tours in Northern Ireland, Staff College in Australia, Chief of Staff British Forces Belize, Instructor at the Army Staff College in Camberley, Chief of Staff 2nd Division (York), NATO Defence College (Rome) and Supreme Allied Commander Europe’s Briefer at SHAPE (Mons).
Carron also commanded his battalion, 1 (then 2) RGJ, in Germany, Northern Ireland and Dover, and served as Assistant Chief of Staff (Intelligence and Operations) in Northern Ireland immediately following the Mull of Kintyre tragedy. His final tour was as acting Commander 43 (Wessex) Brigade, Commander Tidworth, Netheravon and Bulford Garrison, and Chairman of the Tidworth Community Area Partnership.
In 2006 Carron took up the appointment of Chief Executive of the Greater London Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association and in October 2008 he moved to his present appointment in Yorkshire.
He is Honorary Colonel of 39 (Skinners’) Signal Regiment (Volunteers), a Freeman of the City of London and a member of the Royal Yacht Squadron. He is married to Jennifer, an Australian, has four children and lives in Fulford, York.
Deputy Chief Executive, Lieutenant Colonel (Retd) J D Bleasdale
Jeremy Bleasdale served in the Army for 36 years as an Artilleryman and during that time served all over the world.
Within the UK this included two years with a TA unit, two years developing operational requirements and a year as an expert witness for a public inquiry. He also spent a significant amount of time in Northern Ireland; worked as an exchange instructor with the United States forces in America; spent nine years with units in Germany; and was an Executive Officer at Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. In addition to this, Lieutenant Colonel Bleasdale spent four years in Kuwait as a supporter and advisor to the Kuwait Armed Forces, and, whilst at NATO Headquarters, was part of the International Military Staff, as one of the staff officers responsible for current operations.
On leaving the Army in 2006, Jeremy took up the appointment of Deputy Chief Executive of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Association in Yorkshire and the Humber. This role includes being the Chief of Staff for the Association, with a particular responsibility for cadet and youth matters and line management of the SaBRE, Communications and Administration outputs of the Association. He is also a qualified project manager.
Jeremy is a keen sailor, is a member of the Royal Artillery Yacht Club and enjoys country pursuits. He is married to Juliet, has two children and lives in North Yorkshire.
Reserve Forces
Cadets
