Page 111 - QDG Volume 9 No. 5

1st The Queen’s Dragoon Guards 109
Green Snake
CO HOTO “Disregard everything outside of the logs”
the arduous course ended with a 5-day
FTX. Despite the logistical challenges
of its delivery, the course demonstrated
the strength and bond within the Light
Cav Res and regular communities. These
bonds are conducive to force generating
tactically qualified vehicle commander
capability to the Field Army on opera-
tions in 2025 and beyond. This was the
first deployment in command for newly
appointed Lt Col Mathew Bonner who
joins us from the RTR.
The last quarter of 2024 saw the
Regiment in its entirety deploy to Stanley
Barracks in Bovington to complete the
Annual Deployment Exercise (ADE).
Utilising the resources and real estate of
CMC, the Regiment conducted a career
courses concentration. There was also
an M-Qual and PNCO Cadre running
concurrently. In addition, this was the
first time the 2024 CAMBRIAN PATROL
team had the ability to train together for
a protracted period. The team went on to
compete in the ‘reconnaissance soldiers’
pilgrimage’ and were awarded silver
medals by Comd 160X: No mean feat! In
October, twelve RY soldiers were mobi-
lised for OP CABRIT(P) and deployed
alongside their regular counterparts in C
SQN QDG.
On reflection, 2024 has reaffirmed
the importance of the Regiments vital
ground: Its people. 2025 will find us on a
solid footing to meet the challenges that
will no doubt be leveled at us throughout
the year.
RD
Leathersellers’ year in review
This year we have started to see the
the Company, we aim to give away
benefits of a root and branch review
around £4m compared to £3.5m this
that was set in hand some seven
year, across our grant giving areas of
years ago, when we moved into our
charity, education and leather.
seventh Hall. This process culminated
Use of the Hall, our network and
in a presentation of the Leathersellers’
other assets to further our Added
Strategy at the biennial Common Hall
Value focus has continued to flourish,
in January 2024, an event at which all
enabling our schools and Founda-
members of the Company are invited
tion partners and individual grantees
to learn more about, and engage with,
to raise more funds, learn from one
our work.
another, train staff and revise for
Simply put, we aim to manage and
exams. These contacts also enrich
grow our assets in the widest sense,
our understanding and experience,
including those that are cultural,
enabling us to improve our work.
historical and relational, as we build
Membership engagement has
on the benefits of both new and
continued to enhance this further
long-term partnerships, and financial
from the many formal governance
assets, with an ambition to maximise
roles of committees and across our
our grant funding capacity by
partner organisations, through to
targeting areas where we can make a
the mentoring programme and less
measurable and lasting impact.
formal or one-off opportunities such
Our strategy aims to increase
as careers events and welcoming
charitable giving across the Leath-
grantees to the Hall.
ersellers’ Company and Foundation,
We have also continued to foster
sustainably, year on year. Next year,
and expand our alumni network,
using surplus funds generated by
aiming to engage with all those we
have funded over time, providing a
pathway to bring diverse talent and
experience into the Company.
One of our distinguished alumni
and members, Liveryman Alderman
Gregory Jones KC, has now become
the 18th Leatherseller Sheriff of the
City of London having taken office in
September 2024. We all look forward
to supporting Greg during his year of
office.
Our new strategic focus alongside
the shared endeavour of our members,
staff, partners and wider community,
will ensure we can continue to fulfil
our historic purpose as a platform for
opportunity.