Yesterday, we held our second virtual Influencers Network event titled ‘Combatting a Crisis’ with Major General D J Eastman MBE.
The event was hosted by Kate Billingham Wilson, our Head of Partnerships & Philanthropy, who was joined by an exciting line-up of speakers:
- Major General D J Eastman MBE, Commander Standing Joint Command (UK)
- Jon Thomas, Commercial Director at Wadworth
- Barney Haugh, ABF The Soldiers’ Charity’s Director of Grants & Welfare
Major General Eastman spoke to the audience about how business can learn from the military’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. In his role as Commander Standing Joint Command (UK), Major General Eastman shared insight into strategic decision making, and the interface between the MOD and the NHS at a time when personnel, reservists and veterans have been helping to staff testing centres, establish emergency hospitals and deliver equipment.
For our second event, we wanted to do something special for our attendees. Each attendee was offered an ‘Influencers Gift Box’ to enjoy during the evening, which included our latest notebook, a can of Bombay Sapphire & Tonic and a bottle of Tommy Pale Ale from our partner Wadworth. We were delighted that Jon Thomas, Commercial Director at Wadworth, joined us and gave insightful tasting notes for the ale and an overview of how the brewery has tackled the challenges and changing guidance surrounding coronavirus.
Thank you to all those who joined us. To find out more about our Influencers Network, please email [email protected].
About Major General D J Eastman MBE
Maj Gen David Eastman commissioned into the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers in 1989. He has served in Hong Kong, Nepal, Germany, the Falkland Islands and across the UK, and has deployed on operations in Bosnia, Kosovo, Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan twice. He was made an MBE following the first UK deployment to Helmand in 2006, during which he was employed as the Deputy Chief of Staff, 16 Air Assault Brigade.
Maj Gen Eastman was appointed General Officer Commanding Regional Command, including the additional appointment of Deputy Commander Standing Joint Command (UK) in February 2020; as at 26 May 2020 he assumed the Commander Standing Joint Command (UK) role.