The Board of Trustees
Captain Paddy Allen (Retired) - Chair of the Board of Trustees
A Naval Officer for over 36 years, I retired from the Royal Navy in April 2023 as a Captain. My wife, Karen, and I are settled in Plymouth and have two grown up daughters who also live in the South West.
Throughout my career I have seen the impact that separation has had on my own family, as well as our Sailors and their families. But the global COVID pandemic took this to a new level, impacting all of us in some form or another whether the loss of someone close or the uncertainty, and worry, separation and apparently unrelenting restrictions have caused.
As Christians we constantly strive, and often fail, to live and grow in the fruit of the Spirit: Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. It is therefore a real blessing, and privilege, to continue to serve all personnel in the Royal Navy as the Chair of Trustees where I can work and pray alongside our dedicated team at Aggies from Pastoral Workers to Trustees; the Royal Navy Chaplaincy; and the wider range of other Service charities, in order that together we can keep in step with the Holy Spirit and work, through love, to Serve one another in our Lord Jesus’ name.
Carole Backhouse - Trustee
I have been a trustee for over 10 years and I am passionate about the work of Aggies. I was a Wren for 9 years and really appreciated being able to use the Aggie’s facilities when based around the country. I have been a Navy wife for many years and have witnessed many changes in service life. I am still involved in local Military fellowship, The Military Wives Choir, The Armed Forces Christian Union and volunteering as a Pastoral Worker with Aggie’s. This keeps me in touch with sailors and their families.
Steve Martin - Trustee
Steve joined the RN in 1979, leaving in 2007 as a WO1WEA. His final sea job was as the Executive Warrant Officer on HMS Chatham. He then ran the Naval Christian Fellowship for 6 years before becoming the Operations Director for Christian Vision for Men. Involved with Aggies throughout his RN career, he met Helen at the Fellowship group at Aggies in Rowner, where they held their wedding reception in 1987! Helen served as a Naval Nurse and was also an Aggies pastoral worker at RNH Haslar and HMS Nelson. One of their two sons serves in the RM Band Service and the other works for a church in Derby.
Adeola Oludemi
I see my role on this trustee board as the one to bring a slightly different perspective as I have no connection to the Royal Navy or Royal Marines. I trained as a Civil Engineer over 30 years ago working initially in construction and then latterly as a technical client in the aviation sector.
In recent years I have moved into the voluntary sector to do something new and different involving people but related to my Christian faith. I am passionate about enabling all people to thrive and fulfil their potential which is what I see Aggies Pastoral Workers do in their interactions.
CDR Hugh Harris
I joined the Royal Navy in 2003 and having spent my career predominately at sea, I have first-hand experience of the amazing impact of Aggies. Over the years, I have enjoyed bacon butties, made numerous Storybook Wave recordings for my own children and have been privileged to witness the Pastoral Workers provide help, support and Christian friendship to sailors and their loved ones in so many ways. It was therefore a huge honour to join the board of Trustees in 2020 and become part of the Aggies team who work so tirelessly to sustain our sailors in their daily lives and provide resilience to their families.
Lt Cdr Louise Wooller
Louise has experienced the work of Aggies in various guises throughout her career in the RN and believes strongly in the support and fellowship that it offers to support our serving sailors and their families. A trustee since 2019, she is keen to contribute to such a caring organisation in whatever small way she can. Louise grew up with her local Church at the centre of family life; attending CYFA and summer camps throughout her formative years where she made her commitment to God. At the age of 17 she entered the Royal Navy as a Seaman Officer and served in a variety of seagoing roles as a watchkeeper and boarding officer, eventually culminating as a Small Ship XO. Since then she has been working in the Executive and Management world with a particular focus on the Welfare and Duty of Care for Naval personnel. Married with a young family, Louise and her family attend St Nicholas in DRAKE Dockyard and spend much time shuttling children between sea cadets, sporting and music activities!
