Retired Group Captain takes on Deputy Lieutenant role

Retired Group Captain Tim Willbond, who has links with RAF Boulmer, will support and assist the Duchess of Northumberland in her position as Lord-Lieutenant – the Queen’s official representative for the county.

He joins the existing group of Deputy Lieutenants to serve the county’s residents.

Group Captain Willbond, who has three grown-up children, held a 30-year career in the Royal Air Force before retiring as Group Captain in 1996. He subsequently took a number of posts relating to unmanned aviation.

He has undertaken a number of public service and voluntary roles – mostly linked to the RAF. These include divisional secretary of the Northumberland branch of Armed Forces charity SSAFA and vice-chairman on the board of the Reserve Forces’ and Cadets’ Associations for the North of England.

The Duchess said: “He has made a significant contribution to local life and is well known and has deep roots within the community. I know he will contribute wonderfully to the role.”

Colonel Ben Speke, from Corbridge, has also been appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant of Northumberland.

He held careers in stockbroking, finance and wealth management and served in the military before becoming a farmer and has undertaken a range of community, voluntary and charitable roles.