Patrons
Phil Jones, Director The Prince’s Trust Cymru
11th December 2017
Phil joined the Legion in September 2012 after a 26 year career in the Armed Forces. His family hail from Lampeter and Llandullas, he was born in Bicester, Oxfordshire and attended Lord Williams’s School, Thame, before being commissioned into the Royal Welch Fusiliers in 1986. His military service included a wide range of command and staff roles on operations, training , intelligence and strategic communications. He has served in many parts of the world including: the UK, USA, Belgium, Ukraine, South Africa, Belize, Bosnia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, The Democratic Republic of Congo, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Nepal, Iraq and Qatar. His most recent role in the UK Ministry of Defence included the strategic communications planning for the UK’s intervention in Libya and the Defence contribution to the 2012 Olympic Games.
His job in the Legion is multifaceted. It incorporates the delivery of health and welfare support to up to 400,000 potential beneficiaries across Wales; the Legion’s duties as the national custodian of Remembrance; representing the interests of the Armed Forces Community in Wales to the UK and Wales Governments, MPs and AMs, the 22 Welsh Local Authorities, Local Health Boards and many other statutory and 3rd sector stakeholders. Finally, he provides a focus for Armed Forces Comradeship in Wales among the serving and veteran community including over 16,000 Legion Members.
Phil has an MA in War Studies from Kings College , London and is a Member of the Institute of Public Relations. He is married to Louise. They have two children (Harry, 21 and Elinor, 18) and live in Brecon.
“I have been a Patron of MPCT for a number of years, formerly in my role at the Wales Area Manager of The Royal British Legion and now as the Director of The Prince’s Trust Cymru. I have had regular engagement with MPCT’s young people, staff, supporters and it’s MD, Huw Lewis, over this time.
Huw leads an inspirational organisation, which offers an opportunity to young people to identify personal goals, gain confidence, learn about the value of team work and gain much needed life skills. Many of the young people it works with come from challenging backgrounds, but following attendance on an MPCT course stand a much improved chance of future employment; often within the Armed or other uniformed services.
It‘s reputation in Wales is extremely high, I am delighted to be associated with it and I very much look forward to strengthening links between MPCT and The Prince’s Trust Cymru in the future”.