The team at SSAFA Grampian is dedicated to helping veterans, service personnel, and their families, in the local community. Our commitment is to provide support with experienced, non-judgemental and friendly advice, as well as a variety of practical services that cover a range of emotional, practical and financial issues. We are proud to say that we help our Armed Forces family whenever they need us, for as long as they need us. Here at SSAFA Grampian, we have a variety of different personalities that together make our team so special.
Sandy Manson
Branch President
Sandy qualified as a Chartered Accountant and spent his career working in practice with Arthur Andersen and then 32 years helping to build Johnston Carmichael into what is today, Scotland’s largest independent accounting firm.
Following his retirement from Johnston Carmichael in 2022 he was appointed to the Boards of three family businesses as a Non-Executive Director including Gordon & MacPhail and W A Baxter & Sons (Holdings) Limited.
He was appointed by Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II as Lord-Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire in April 2020.
He is also a Trustee of The King’s Foundation, The Baxter Family Charitable Trust, The North Highland Initiative and President of SSAFA (Grampian Branch). Sandy sits on the Advisory Board of the University of Stirling where he is an Honorary Professor. He is also a former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland, Chair of Salvesen Mindroom, Director of The Honourable Company of Edinburgh Golfers (Muirfield), Honorary Dutch Consul for the North of Scotland and Chair of the Development Trust for the University of Aberdeen
Julie Silva
Branch Chair
Julie lived and worked in Suffolk from 1989 until 2021, where she was a history teacher for over 30 years, a job that she loved. In July 2021, Julie moved to St Cyrus, Aberdeenshire, a bold move that left her seeking a sense of purpose and longing to feel part of something. Julie decided to take on a voluntary role of Branch Secretary for SSAFA Grampian. This challenging, yet rewarding, role has given her the opportunity to meet fellow volunteers from the Grampian branch together with the wider Scotland network. In April 2024, Julie became Branch Chair.
Ranald Cameron
Branch Treasurer
Born and bred in Aberdeen, Ranald was involved with Aberdeen University OTC for 4 years, as a member of the pipe band. On graduation with a business studies degree, he moved to London to seek further opportunities, and carried on his involvement with pipe bands. His career focused more on financial work and he rose to company accountant for a builders firm when he made the decision to return to Aberdeen after 17 years. His work since then and up to retirement has been as a project accountant or company accountant.
Shirley Lumby
Branch Secretary
Shirley comes from a military background. Her mother served in the Royal Navy and her
father served in the RAF, and later became a Military Policeman in the Territorial Army.
Serving as a WRAF in the Royal Air Force for 12 years she was fortunate to travel and spend
time in RAF Akrotiri, Falkland Island to name a few. Upon leaving the RAF relocated to
Calgary, Alberta Canada with her husband, where they lived for 10 years. Working in
administration and accounting within both the Oil and Gas Industry and PrIvate Health
Care. Since returning to the UK Shirley decided to become a volunteer for SSAFA and
joined Grampian Region in 2022 as Branch Administrator and became Branch Secretary in
April 2024.
Kirsty Brunton
Casework Manager
Kirsty is both Regional Casework Coordinator within the Scottish Regional Office and Casework Manager for Grampian. She joined SSAFA due to her love of helping others and her own experience undertaking various voluntary roles. With 30 years of service Kirsty recognizes how much effort volunteers put in and believes that if they receive support, it can help them fully enjoy their role and fulfil their potential. She enjoys the varied work within the Regional Office supporting volunteers and clients with no two days ever the same. Before joining SSAFA, Kirsty worked with the RNLI supporting volunteers in delivering water safety talks and HMRC catching tobacco smugglers! Outside of work, she enjoys all things water based, having previously volunteered as a sailing instructor and currently as a swimming coach.
Stacey Milne
Digital Marketing Volunteer
As a mature student Stacey really wanted to utilise her new-found skills to assist SSAFA in increasing their online presence. Finding a local charity whereby she can make a real impact makes it all worthwhile for Aberdeen-based Stacey. Despite not having a military background she felt the welcoming environment enabled her to feel part of the team. We cannot wait for Stacey to be part of SSAFA Grampians journey!
Jamie Yates
Caseworker
Jamie joined the branch in 2024 and is a current serving member in the RAF as mission aircrew alongside previous army service. With family connections to military going back to the 1970's Jamie felt SSAFA was a worthwhile cause to volunteer for. Originally from Yorkshire he now lives in the Scottish Highlands and enjoys the landscape by going hill walking and mountain biking.
Neil Harrison
Visitor
Neil, born in Lancashire in 1965 was brought up in Yorkshire where he lived until joining the Airforce and moving to Scotland. He served almost 12 years in the Royal Air Force as Flight Systems then Flight Simulator Technician. Neil is married with 2 children in their 20’s and 2 grandchildren with another on the way. After the RAF he worked in IT management for BAE Systems, then NHS Grampian and finally taking early retirement due to ill health. He enjoys keeping fit mostly hill walking or gym running, travel, reading/listening to audio books, music, films and is currently trying to learn Spanish!
Live Chat
