News
August 8th 2022
Richard Johnson, CEO of Derbyshire ACF, retires
Richard Johnson spent 36 years in the Army before joining Derbyshire ACF as their CEO.
Richard Johnson, the Cadet Executive Officer (CEO) for Derbyshire Army Cadet Force (ACF), has retired after eight years in the role.
Richard spent 36 years as a Regular in the Worcestershire and Sherwood Foresters Regiment (which later became the Mercian Regiment) and is affiliated to Derbyshire ACF. After the Army, he came straight into the CEO job in 2014, and has been in the position for eight years.
Richard Johnson at the 2017 Lord-Lieutenant of Derbyshire’s Cadets Inauguration.
Richard has used his role to enhance the Cadet experience, supporting Cadet Force Adult Volunteers to ensure they can provide the best service.
During his time in the role, Derbyshire ACF hosted several Annual Camps, with the biggest one being 340 Cadets. Seeing the process from the planning stages to seeing Cadets “enjoying the experience, eating three meals a day, doing fun activities” was a highlight for Richard.
Even during the difficult years of the Covid-19 pandemic, Derbyshire ACF managed to have a safe annual camp for reduced numbers, which Richard called “an achievement”.
Another highlight has been seeing the progress of Cadets. He said: “Meeting the parents and being told by them how much their child has improved by being in the Cadets is amazing.
“They tell us they have introverted children and suddenly they’ve been selected as Cadet Sergeant Major or been selected to be Lord-Lieutenant’s Cadet and they are standing next to royalty.”
For his retirement, Richard plans on spending more time travelling around in his caravan. We wish him the very best.
