Veterans at Ease Ltd is a Registered Charity (No. 1140832) and Company (No. 7527322)
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Veterans at Ease Ltd is a Registered Charity (No. 1140832) and Company (No. 7527322)
Garreth Murrell grew up in Manchester. In 1985, aged almost 16, he joined the 22nd Cheshire Regiment of the HM Armed Forces as an infantry soldier. He completed various tours, including two tours of Northern Ireland and 6 months in Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1992. He left in 1995, having served a little under 10 years.
Garreth spent the next 12 years as a Scenes of Crime Officer (or SOCO), finally becoming a training instructor at Harperley Hall in County Durham. However, in 2007 he realised he had Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) with symptoms including paranoia, flashbacks, nightmares, difficulties at work, the development of a stammer and depression. After almost a year off work, and having unsuccessfully sought help from the NHS, he received support from a qualified NLP Master Practitioner. He overcame his issues and returned to work almost immediately. For the next two years, he researched NLP and its use in trauma therapy, the support available for veterans and how to set up a charity. When voluntary redundancies were offered at Harperly Hall, he accepted, and within days of leaving his employment he had set up Veterans at Ease – 23rd September 2010.
He is now a trained NLP Psychotherapist, as well as being an advisor for the Headway Trust in Darlington, a Life Fellow of the Churchill Memorial Trust and a Rotarian.
Garreth is married to Christina and lives in Low Fell with their two children. He enjoys cycling, snowboarding and reading.
Christina joined the Senior Management Team of Veterans at Ease in 2015, becoming its Head of Donor Care. In July 2017, she left its employment and became a Trustee and its Treasurer. She is still a regular office-based volunteer responsible for finance, grant applications and liaising with donors and corporates.
Prior to 2015, Christina spent more than 10 years with County Durham Community Foundation as Head of Grants and Donor Services.
Her background has always been in grant management or contracting and procurement, having spent time in London with International Distillers and Vintners and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) as well as Oxfam GB (based in Bosnia and Kosovo), the Bosnia Delegation Office of the European Commission and the International Commission on Missing Persons from the Former Yugoslavia.
Christina is married with two children. In her spare time, she enjoys cycling, travelling, theatre and restaurants. Her biggest passion (outside of family life) is for languages; she speaks fluent French and Italian, basic Bosnian Serbo Croat and can read and write Spanish.
Ben was born in London and brought up in Bath. After finishing his A-levels, Ben moved to North Wales and worked as an outdoor pursuits instructor, teaching climbing, mountaineering, paddle sports, and leadership and team-building courses. He then joined the British Army at 20 and started his Training at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. He was commissioned into the Royal Logistic Corps and served with the Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment. After 10 years, Ben wanted to pursue a career out of the military and left as a Captain. He had served with Regular and Reserve units in several different roles all over the world.
During Ben’s service, he encountered a number of challenges, and he sought out help through therapy. During his own therapeutic journey, Ben realised that this was the path that he wished to follow. He trained as a Trauma Risk Management Advisor and developed a passion for helping those who had been impacted by trauma. He then completed his Level 2 Certificate in Counselling whilst still serving.
After leaving the Army, Ben worked for a couple of Mental Health Charities, including Mind and Mental Health Matters, whilst also studying for his Level 7 Diploma in Integrative and Transactional Analysis Psychotherapy at Peel Psychological Consultancy via the Ellesmere Centre for Psychotherapy Training.
When not in the therapy room or working, Ben still enjoys mountaineering, climbing and kayaking, or being told to finish a DIY project by his wife.
Veteran Advocate | Community Leader | Former Manager of Avondale House
Military Career and Service
Major Phil Thompson’s lifelong commitment to service began at the age of 16, when he joined the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Anglian Regiment (The Poachers) as a junior soldier. Over a distinguished 31-year career in the British Army, he rose through the ranks from the shop floor to being commissioned as an officer in 2002, eventually retiring at the rank of Major.
His military record is defined by extensive operational experience, having served in several of the most demanding conflict zones of the late 20th and early 21st centuries, including:
Phil also served with the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in Cyprus as a Quartermaster (T) and later joined the 5th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers in the North East. In recognition of his exemplary service and leadership, he was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Valuable Service (QCVS) in 2004.
Dedicated Support for the Veteran Community
Upon retiring from the Army in May 2010, Phil immediately turned his focus to supporting veterans facing homelessness or difficult transitions to civilian life. A champion for the North East veteran community, he oversaw the opening of Brims House—the region’s first dedicated house for veterans—and later managed Bibby House in Newcastle and Hardwick House in Teesside.
In 2019, Phil took over the management of Avondale House in Byker, the flagship project for the charity Launchpad. As the manager of Newcastle’s largest veteran-specific housing facility, Phil was instrumental in fostering a sense of camaraderie and purpose for its 33 residents. He launched innovative wellbeing schemes, such as the Avondale House Cycle Club, to combat social isolation and improve mental health. Phil also opened Hollyacre House in County Durham, supporting an additional 16 residents. His tireless work was recognised in May 2024 when he was presented with the Armed Forces in the Community Award at the Gateshead Awards.
Veterans at Ease
Phil recently brought his vast experience and deep understanding of the veteran experience to Veterans at Ease. Having spent over a decade focusing on the housing and stabilisation of veterans, his move to the charity allows him to continue his mission of providing high-quality, specialist support. His background as a former soldier and officer gives him a unique perspective that resonates with those seeking help, ensuring they receive the understanding and respect they deserve.
Personal Life
Based in the North East, Phil remains a staunch advocate for the Armed Forces Covenant and is widely respected across the region for his integrity, compassion, and unwavering dedication to his fellow veterans.
Paul has been a Trustee of the organisation since 2012, first as its Treasurer, then from July 2017 as its Chairman. He has a wide range of experience within the accounting industry across several sectors.
He is currently a Practice Manager at Netherfield House Surgery in Northumberland. Prior to this, he spent 16 years working for the North East Ambulance Service and the Great North Air Ambulance.
His key experience relates to Business Services, Accountancy and VAT in both private and public sectors.
He joined the Board of Trustees after having seen a family member suffer from PTSD and receive support through Veterans at Ease.
Paul has been a Trustee of the organisation since 2012, first as its Treasurer, then from July 2017 as its Chairman. He has a wide range of experience within the accounting industry across several sectors.
He is currently a Practice Manager at Netherfield House Surgery in Northumberland. Prior to this, he spent 16 years working for the North East Ambulance Service and the Great North Air Ambulance.
His key experience relates to Business Services, Accountancy and VAT in both private and public sectors.
He joined the Board of Trustees after having seen a family member suffer from PTSD and receive support through Veterans at Ease.
John joined the Board of Trustees as Secretary in 2012, having been a beneficiary of the charity when he received therapy support in 2011.
He is currently working for Power Generation as a Service Engineer, prior to which he served for 23 years in the British Army’s Queen’s Royal Lancers Tank Regiment. During this time, he served on committees for Corporals’ Mess and Sergeants’ Mess and as the Regimental Welfare Sergeant. He has a Long Service Medal and a Good Conduct Medal for meritorious service.
Commander Linda Cairney brings over three decades of service from the Royal Navy to her role as Trustee at Veterans At Ease. With a career spanning engineering and training management, she currently serves as the Naval Assistant to the First Sea Lord. Linda holds an MBA and has been recognised with numerous awards, including a Vice Chief of the Defence Staff Commendation in the 2020 New Year’s Honours.
Beyond her naval duties, Linda is passionate about sports leadership and mentorship. She chairs the Royal Navy and UK Armed Forces Netball Associations and has coached both teams, demonstrating her commitment to fostering teamwork and excellence. A strong advocate for diversity and inclusion, Linda has actively mentored women in defence, supporting their professional growth and leadership development.
Her extensive experience in risk management, strategic planning, and governance, combined with her dedication to supporting veterans’ mental health, makes her a valuable asset to Veterans At Ease.
I have over 20 years of experience in the development of data-driven marketing platforms or the improvement of data-driven operations. In the past, I’ve been responsible for managing the creation of loyalty programs from scratch to launch for brands such as Porsche, Visa and the National Commercial Bank of Saudi Arabia. I’ve implemented hundreds of CRM platforms in support of small businesses and startups using Airtable, HubSpot, Salesforce and Zoho. I’m also the founder of Websand, a marketing automation platform from inception (now in its 4th generation).
I was a member of the DMA email council for 4 years; during this time I became interested in GDPR, and subsequently became accredited as a GDPR practitioner. Since then, I’ve consulted on helping businesses implement best practice; often this then moves into operational or business transformation activity. This was the case with my initial involvement in Tech Nation back in 2018, and the GDPR revision project which began in June 2022.
I’ve been supporting Northumbria University within their Data-Driven Marketing module within their Master’s Programme as an associate lecturer since 2017.
I am a trustee and assist with data protection issues for Veterans At Ease, a charity focused on supporting the mental health of veterans in the North East and South East of England.
Professor Sir John Burn obtained a first-class honours degree in human genetics and an MD with distinction from Newcastle University, where he has been Professor of Clinical Genetics since 1991. He was appointed as a consultant specialist in Newcastle in 1984 and led the regional NHS Genetics Service for 20 years.
He helped to create the Millennium landmark Centre for Life, which houses an education and science centre alongside NHS regional genetics and fertility services and University research. He is chair of the Newcastle-based DNA device company QuantuMDx Ltd. He was knighted in 2010 and chosen as one of the first 20 ‘local heroes’ to have a brass plaque on Newcastle Quayside in 2014. He is a Trustee of the European Hereditary Tumour Group, UNESCO NGO Global Variome and HUGO (the Human Genome Organisation) London.
Former roles include founding Chair the UK Cancer Genetics Group (1997-2003) and of the International Society for Gastrointestinal Hereditary Tumours (InSiGHT 2003-5), President of the European Society of Human Genetics (2006-2007), Chair of the British Society for Genetic Medicine (2011-2013), Lead Clinician, Northern Strategic Health Authority (2010-2014), Non-executive Director NHS England (2014-2018) and Chair of Newcastle Hospitals (2017 -2023).
He leads the Cancer Prevention Programme research group at Newcastle University; CAPP2, an RCT in 16 countries, showed that aspirin reduces the risk of colorectal cancer by half in Lynch syndrome (Burn et al. Lancet 2020) and resistant starch supplements reduce the risk of other LS cancers by more than half (Mathers et al. Cancer Prev res 2022). CaPP3, a dose non-inferiority trial of cancer prevention with aspirin in 5 countries, ends in summer 2024.
He is also a Patron of the charity Veterans at Ease, a military mental health charity.
AVM Ranald Munro was appointed Commandant General, Royal Auxiliary Air Force (CG RAuxAF) in September 2019, and in addition, Chief of Staff Reserves (COS Reserves) in July 2020.
A career Reservist, he joined the 10th Battalion The Parachute Regiment in December 1986 and, having served for a year as a private soldier, was commissioned into the Battalion from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1988. Having served in several appointments at Regimental Duty, he was appointed Battalion Second in Command in 1996 and subsequently attended the TA Command and Staff Course in 1997. Promoted to Lt Col in 1998, he was posted as Chief Instructor to the London District Specialist Training Team (LDSTT).
AVM Munro received his Territorial Decoration in 1999. He was awarded the Volunteer Reserves Service Medal (VRSM) in 2009, a Clasp in 2014 and a 2nd in 2019.
Having completed his tour at the LDSTT, he was posted to Headquarters London District for a year as SO1 Operations and Training TA and commanded Bristol University Officers’ Training Corps between April 2002 and August 2004.
Prior to his promotion to Colonel and taking up his appointment in October 2005 as Col TA at the Directorate of Individual Training (Army), AVM Munro served as the Chief of Military Operations (Op Law) in the Multi-National Coalition HQ’s Office of the Staff Judge Advocate in Baghdad, Iraq on OP TELIC 6 between May 2005 and October 2005.
Between April 2008 and January 2009, he served as Deputy Commander 43 (Wessex) Brigade, followed by a posting to the MOD as Colonel (Reserves) on the General Staff in January 2009.
On promotion to Brigadier, he was appointed Assistant Commander of 4th Division in November 2009, and subsequently Assistant Commander Support Command upon its formation. He is a member of The Royal College of Defence Studies, having attended the 2010 course. In 2012, he was promoted Major General and appointed Deputy Commander Land Forces (Reserves) in October 2012 – at that time the British Army Reserve’s most senior appointment, serving until October 2015. He was awarded his CBE in 2014.
In April 2016, he was appointed Assistant Chief of Defence Staff (Reserves and Cadets), a tri-service appointment – Defence’s senior Reserve appointment.
He is a Trustee of the Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces Charity, an Elder of the Parachute Regiment, a former Honorary Colonel 4 PARA, currently Honorary Colonel of Bristol University Officers Training Corps, Regimental Colonel of The London Scottish Regiment, Honorary Colonel of SE Sector Army Cadet Force, Chairman of the Greater London Reserve Forces and Cadet Association (RFCA), and a member of the Surrey Committee of SE RFCA. He is a Freeman of the City of London, Lieutenant of the City of London, Chairman of the Trustees of the First Aid and Nursing Yeomanry (FANY), an ambassador of the Defence Medical Welfare Services, Chairman of the Military in Law Network (MiLNet), and is a Vice President (past Chairman) of The Caledonian Club in Belgravia, London. He was appointed DL for Greater London in January 2019.
AVM Munro is a barrister in civilian life and is a General Counsel and Company Secretary for financial services companies in the City of London. He is married to Louise, and they have two children. His main recreational interests are golf, tennis and flying. He is a holder of both a single-engine and multi-engine fixed-wing private pilot’s licence. He has recently taken up freefall parachuting!