Meet The Team

Sean Gane

Veteran Support Centre Manager

Sean brings first-hand knowledge, understanding and empathy to the centre and is passionate about supporting other veterans and anyone with connections to the military who may require company and support. Sean has a wealth of ideas to improve the centre’s services further and to generate greater interest in the site so it can help more people. Sean believes in engaging with the community and working within a supportive local network, which he feels can only benefit all involved. He is very keen on building relationships within the county enabling the support centre to offer layered assistance to those needing it.

Katherine (Katie) Phillips

Office Manager

Katie Has been a part of the Armed Forces Community for many years and understands the pressures of life that come with that. She wants to bring her knowledge from lived experiences into supporting the whole of the military community, specifically looking to enhance and improve on the awareness of services available to the partners and families.

Ben Cooley

HVSC Outreach Officer and Volunteer Coordinator

Served for the best part of 40 years in the Army. I started as a volunteer with HVSC, and now in a paid role. I spend most days visiting veterans in care homes, hospitals and at home. Many of the veterans l support are living with Dementia. As the Volunteer coordinator, I am also responsible for recruiting and retaining volunteers, whom I see as our most valuable asset. I coordinate training and personal development for all volunteers and help match volunteers with veterans, depending on individual needs.

Philip Ladd

Support Manager

Philip Ladd has a meaningful and impactful role as a veteran support officer. His own personal experience with reintegration gives him valuable insight into the challenges veterans face, and his positive mind-set of “there are no problems, only solutions” is a great asset. Helping veterans transition back into civilian life is crucial, as many may struggle with the shift in lifestyle. His background with the 23 Engineer Regiment provides him with a unique perspective and credibility among those he assists. He is looking for ways to enhance his support for veterans and their families by offering, Workshops, Resources, Peer Support Groups, Community Engagement, Mental Health Awareness and Family Support. His lived experience can inspire many veterans to find their pathway in civilian life.

Tracy Ricketts

Founding Ambassador

Tracy has worked for Herefordshire Council for 35 years with over 25 years’ experience of working in the field of grants either bidding for, supporting other organisations to bid for funding or managing the grants. She supported the original covenant grant funding from the MOD in 2013 and has been one of the main points of contact for the armed forces in Herefordshire since that time. Through a separate bid to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust funding was offered for supporting pilot veteran hubs. A working group was formed to shape the needs for Herefordshire and the solution of having a dedicated venue with a criteria of a one stop shop was agreed. She led that successful bid and oversaw the development and delivery of what is now the Veteran Support Centre. She continues to be passionate and supportive to ensure the Centre continues to be a success.

Samantha Lewis

Samantha Lewis is the Chair of the Herefordshire Veteran Support Centre. Being the daughter of a Veteran, Samantha understands the difficulties some veterans face when they leave the military, and is passionate about providing different levels of support that may be required. Samantha uses her network extensively to deliver collaboration and community engagement to support veterans and their families. Sam is also the HR Director at NMITE, who are just as passionate about supporting military leavers and veterans, and have received the Gold Award via the Employer Recognition Scheme.

Sam’s passion for the veteran agenda and the Armed Forces Covenant as a whole is palpable, infectious and demonstrates the value she has as an advocate for the Armed Forces Covenant in and around Herefordshire.

Ros Kearney

“Ros is an Army veteran with 17 years experience in the Royal Logistic Corps. Since leaving the Army she has qualified as a Solicitor and currently works as a contracts analyst for Serco PLC”

Philip Chandler

Philip Chandler is a semi-retired health and safety consultant. Phil has had the opportunity to work overseas in most of Europe and parts of Africa. Phil was in the Royal Corp of Signals for 24 years and served in the Army Cadets as an Adult Instructor for another 26 years after he retired from his army career as a reservist. Phil was a full member of Longtown Mountain Rescue for over 20 years and is now an honorary member. Phil is also Chair of Herefordshire Health and Safety Group and a trustee of both the Hinton Community Centre and Herefordshire Veteran Support Centre. At present Phil is a caseworker for SSAFA.

Phil enjoys the outdoors and the picture above was taken in Canada when he visited his two sons who have residency there. Phil also has another son, daughter in law, daughter and grandson living in England. Phil was also the Safety Advisor for the internal cleaning of St Pauls Cathedral in London for 3 ½ years. Phil is passionate about supporting others less fortunate than he has been and getting them the help they need. Be that help to be carried off the mountain, due to injury or supporting them to get the right help.

John Collyer CB

John is an Army veteran and now works in the technology sector in a number of director and non-exec director roles.  He operates with a number of national charities and also leads multiple national and international mountaineering pursuits with veterans and individuals/teams with additional needs.  He joined the HVSC Board of Trustees in Summer 2024.