Senior Leadership Team
Meet the Team
Meet the Team
Lisa Farmer OBE
Chief Executive
Lisa joined RBVE in October 2015 as Director of Strategic Development with over 20 years of experience in fundraising, marketing and business development. Lisa spent 8 years at Young Epilepsy as Fundraising Director before becoming Director of Development and has been involved in major commercial developments including Loughborough University’s £40m fundraising campaign and two capital fundraising campaigns. Lisa was appointed Chief Executive at RBVE in 2022 and was awarded an OBE in 2025.
Helen Bidgway
Director Of People & Culture
A fellow of the chartered institute of personnel and development (FCIPD), Helen has over 30 years’ experience in Human Resources at a senior level, initially in the commercial sector joining Unilever’s graduate management development programme, before moving to the charity and education sectors for the latter part of her career, working at Young Epilepsy and John Whitgift Foundation. Helen joined RBVE in September 2022.
Scott Gillham
Director of Governance, Compliance and Business Systems
Scott joined RBVE in February 2021, following a career in military aviation, systems engineering and complex project delivery. He became a member of the Senior Leadership Team in 2026. With expertise in assurance, regulatory compliance and digital governance. Coming from a military family, he brings a personal understanding of the challenges faced by those transitioning from service. He holds a postgraduate qualification in Systems Engineering Management and is committed to enabling safe, effective and data‑driven services that empower RBVE’s teams and beneficiaries
Colin Harsant
Managing Director of Social Enterprise
Colin joined RBVE’s SLT in July 2024 following 20 years managing and leading companies in the Aerospace, Defence and Automotive Industries and is a specialist in SME Manufacturing. His experience is complemented by undergraduate and postgraduate business qualifications in the UK and France.
Paula Ray
Director of Fundraising
Paula joined RBVE in May 2022 as Head of Community and Events fundraising. Before joining RBVE, Paula spent 8 years at Action Medical Research where she led successful fundraising initiatives throughout the South of England. She has also held income generation roles at The Heart of Kent Hospice and the KM Charity Team. Prior to her career in the third sector, Paula worked in banking and finance in London, building a solid foundation in financial management and strategic planning. She holds a Diploma in Fundraising.
Emma Nugent
Strategic Development Lead
Emma joined RBVE in 2015 and became Assistant Director in 2022 after leading RBVE’s strategic development work and previously spent six years overseeing major national programmes supporting veterans, disabled people and long-term unemployed communities into work, training, and independent living.
Prior to her third sector career Emma worked in marketing in the publishing and exhibitions sector and gained a Sociology PhD on barriers to employment.
Simon Rourke
Chief Financial Officer
Simon joined RBVE in September 2026, bringing 30 years of finance experience across global corporates and owner-managed businesses in Retail, Manufacturing, Entertainment and Construction sectors. A qualified accountant, he has spent more than 15 years at Board level, leading finance teams through periods of significant change and challenge.
Throughout his career, Simon has focused on strengthening financial reporting, improving systems and processes, and providing clear financial insight to support better decision-making. He brings a practical and collaborative approach to finance, with a strong focus on ensuring the finance function supports both the strategic and operational needs of the organisation.
Who we help
Learn about the veterans, people with disabilities, and families we support- and the challenges they face.
How We Help
Discover the services we provide, from employment and housing to tailored support.
Our Actions for Veterans
See how we support veterans and people with disabilities through research, campaigns, and reports.