Who are the Trustees of the Veterans' Foundation?

Andrew is a Chairman and investor in many European technology companies. Following seven years with the Parachute Regiment, he had a successful thirty-year career as a founder/CEO, building multiple software companies in UK, US & Europe. With all that experience in leadership, strategy, capital raising, M&A & commercialising technology, he now helps investors and founders, including veterans, to realise the potential of their technology ventures.

Maggie is a HR professional and worked in the retail and financial sectors before setting up her own consultancy business over 20 years ago. She has worked with commercial companies including BP, AXA Financial Services, Prudential, Siemens and Hays, as well as not for profit organisations including Viridian Housing Association, St Johns Bath and Livability, a disability charity. 

She has a wealth of experience as a trustee and board member.  Maggie spent the last four and half years as the Chair of the Board of Trustees for the Military Wives Choirs. She served on the board of the Army Families Federation (AFF) for 12 years as a trustee and Chair. She is a trustee for the Army Widows Association (AWA), the Peter Cowley African Trust (PCAT), and served as a lay member of the Grants Committee for ABF, The Soldiers’ Charity, for six years. 

Maggie was an Army wife for over 30 years, accompanying her husband on various postings, including tours in Germany and Scotland. As a military wife, she understands the many challenges and joys of being part of a Forces family and the importance of those military charities and individuals who provide support and friendship to our veterans. She was awarded “Family Volunteer of the Year” in 2022 in recognition of over 30 years of volunteering. 

Guy Cartwright has been the CEO of the Royal Company of Merchants of the City of Edinburgh since October 2024. This is the principal livery company in Edinburgh with extensive charitable interests in education, social housing and care of the elderly. Guy served for 18 years in the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and completed operational tours of Northern Ireland and Bosnia.  On transiting from the army Guy decided to train as a Charter Accountant and joined PwC in Edinburgh where he successfully qualified as a CA in 2010. Following this Guy was appointed Bursar of the Edinburgh Academy and heavily involved in all aspects of the school as it moved from being a boys school to be a co-educational school.

Away from work Guy enjoys fly fishing, shooting and open water swimming.

Catriona Laing CB is a senior British diplomat and Senior Responsible Officer for Soft Power at the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. She began her career as a development economist specialising in Africa, conflict and global economic issues, later serving as the UK Alternate Director at the European Investment Bank.

As Deputy in Tony Blair’s Strategy Unit, she led the ‘Countries at Risk of Instability’ project, which created the UK government’s early warning system for identifying instability and helped establish the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, now supported by 57 countries.

She was the first International and Human Rights Director at the Ministry of Justice and later led the UK’s Helmand Provincial Reconstruction Team in Afghanistan. Catriona has served as British Ambassador to Zimbabwe, High Commissioner to Nigeria, and UN Special Representative leading the UN Mission in Somalia. She is an Advisory Board member at Cranfield University School of Management and was awarded a CB in the 2012 New Year Honours.

Steve Smith was a career officer in the British Army, specialising in logistics, intelligence and high-threat, counter-terrorist bomb disposal. His operational service included Northern Ireland, where he served as a bomb disposal operator and, later, as Deputy Chief of Staff of an infantry brigade. He also served in Kosovo during the NATO intervention in 1999. In 2003-4, he commanded the 2,500 troops providing logistic, medical and engineering support to the British force in Iraq.

Since leaving the Army, Steve was CEO, consecutively of three charities focused on countering armed violence and supporting victims and refugees impacted by war, conflict and persecution. He has also served on three charity boards concerned with similar work, including the International Campaign to Ban Landmines.

Steve holds an MSc in Risk, Crisis and Disaster Management (Leicester) and an MA in War in the Modern World (KCL). He was appointed MBE for his work in Northern Ireland and is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

James Banks is a Trustee of the Veterans’ Foundation and Head of External Communications for Rolls-Royce’s Civil Aerospace business. He served as a Captain in the Royal Artillery, with tours in Iraq and Afghanistan. He then pursued a career in journalism, reporting for British Forces Broadcasting, Sky News, and ITV News, before moving into corporate communications with roles at Network Rail, Barclays, HSBC, and AECOM. Two years ago, he joined Rolls-Royce to lead global communications for Civil Aerospace.

James brings to Veterans' Foundation a unique combination of military experience and professional expertise in communications and influence. He is focused on helping the Veterans’ Foundation grow its impact, reach more veterans and families, and stand out as an innovative leader in support. He enjoys influencing outcomes, bringing people together, and challenging ideas constructively to shape strategy and amplify impact.

Celia Liu is a senior international executive with more than 20 years’ experience across finance, strategy and executive leadership roles in the Facilities Management, Security, and outsourcing.

She has held Regional CEO, CFO and Executive Committee roles, leading large, multi-country organisations and workforces across Europe and Asia. Celia has experience in developing and emerging markets, having spent a significant portion of her career in Asia. Her background includes executing M&A and divestments, implementing global standards, and leading teams and countries to deliver sustainable growth.

A qualified management accountant she is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA). Celia has worked with veterans and ex-military colleagues across diverse cultures and geographies. and appreciates their skills and the challenges they can face transitioning into civilian life. Driven by a strong personal commitment to contribution, inclusion, and integrity, she is proud to support the Veterans’ Foundation as a trustee.

Catherine Spencer OBE, MBA is a respected executive and policy influencer with over 15 years of senior leadership experience, including three CEO roles. Awarded an OBE in 2023 for her support to seafarers during COVID19, she has delivered significant impact across defence, health, and the charitable sector. As Chief Executive of the Army Families Federation, she championed military families on issues such as mental health, housing, education, and Foreign & Commonwealth status—shaping government policy, securing funding, and contributing to key MOD advisory groups.

She later led The Seafarers’ Charity and The Cochrane Collaboration, known for navigating complex political environments and ensuring financial sustainability. With global experience from three years in Bangladesh and an MBA from Warwick Business School, she has worked with multiple government departments and is recognised for her integrity and evidencebased leadership. An Army wife of nearly thirty years, she now lives in Pewsey, Wiltshire with her husband Dominic, an infantry officer, and their three adult daughters.