Meet the Veterans

A dedicated advocate for veterans living in Northern Ireland,where he resides with his wife and two daughters. He joined the Royal Marines in 1996, serving with 40 Commando and participating invarious overseas exercises, including a significant operation in the Congo. After leaving the Corps in 2005, Alan joined the Royal Irish, deploying to Afghanistan with 3 Para during Operation Herrick 4. He later served as a section commander and platoon sergeant at theInfantry Training Centre and finished his career as a permanent staff instructor at Queen’s University Officer Training Corps. Alan enjoys outdoor activities like hiking and fishing.

John served 16 years in the Parachute Regiment, completing seven operational tours across various theatres, demonstrating exceptional adaptability and resilience. He primarily worked in the Signals Platoon and progressed to brigade-level responsibilities, specializing in military communications, signals intelligence, and electronic warfare, ensuring secure communication channels at all command levels.In addition to his operational duties, John was a Recruit Instructor, where he led training programs for new soldiers, and a Training Team Instructor, mentoring overseas armies and allied forces in joint operations and military doctrine.

Paul is a former Junior Non-Commissioned Officer with the Royal Irish Regiment, having served in Kosovo, Sierra Leone, and Iraq, along with covert operations in Northern Ireland. After leaving the military in 2005, he worked in the private security sector, protecting high-ranking American officers in Iraq and consulting for oil and gas companies inKurdistan and Nicaragua.He later advised NBC News in Ukraine, ensuring the safety of their personnel. Paul transitioned to a Training Manager role, teaching modern warfare techniques in the Democratic Republic of Congo before consulting for Veterans for Veterans. Currently, he is pursuing a master’s degree in intelligence and security at the University of Leicester, expected to complete in 2025.

Richard Spence is a decorated military veteran with over 30 years of service, beginning as a Ranger in 1989 and retiring as a Commissioned Officer in 2019. He has served as a senior instructor in prestigious British Army institutions and held the role of Welfare Officer, focusingon the well-being of personnel with physical and psychological injuries.Richard’s operational experience includes tours in Northern Ireland, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Balkans, and Sierra Leone, earning a NATO Joint Chiefs Commendation in 2006. After retirement, he joined the HMG Civilian Stabilisation Group as a senior advisor on International Humanitarian Law. Now a partner at Veterans for Veterans, he advocates for health services and fair compensation for veterans.

Shannon Smart is a former member of the 2nd Battalion, the Royal Anglian Regiment, known as “The Poachers,” serving with distinction for 13 years. Throughout his military career, he was deployed on various postings and operational tours worldwide, showcasing his dedication and skill.Shannon completed both the Junior and Senior Brecon courses, enhancing his expertise in operational planning and training. His leadership and risk management abilities made him an invaluable asset to his unit and the broader armed forces community. His diverse international experiences reflect the proud traditions of The Poachers.

Justin is a seasoned professional with over a decade of service as a Non-Commissioned Officer in the British Army, specialising in Infantry and Royal Logistics Corps operations. After his military career, he gained over 28 years of high-level consulting experience, focusing on stakeholder management, sales, and digital project management. His strong understanding of data protection regulations and information security frameworks makes him a valuable asset to the VFV team. Justin’s disciplined approach and commitment to delivering results enable him to excel in fast-paced, high-stakes environments.

Kris joined the army in 1997, serving with the Irish Guards and the Guards Parachute Platoon at 3 Para. He initially worked as a mechanised infantry Warrior Gunner Commander in Germany and later became a Section Commander with the Guards Para for four years. His operational experience includes tours in Northern Ireland, Kosovo, and Iraq, as well as exercises in Belize, Canada, Poland, Kenya, and Kuwait. After leaving the forces in 2007, Kris worked in close protection and security management roles with the US DOD and UK FCDO. He is committed to supporting veterans in securing the compensation they deserve for noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL).