The charity Ssafa, which supports veterans, serving members of the armed forces and their families, has appointed Steve Shell as its next chief executive following the retirement of its former chief.

Shell will take up his role on 2 April and joins the charity after 37 years of military service.

He succeeds Sir Andrew Gregory, who stepped down as chief at the end of February after more than eight years in the role.

Shell joined the RAF in 1988 as a pilot, with operational deployments including the Gulf War, Northern Ireland, Bosnia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

He also supported the evacuation of Lebanon and earthquake relief in Pakistan.

He was station commander of RAF Odiham and commanding officer of the UK Chinook Force. 

Shell also worked in the Pentagon as chief of defence staff liaison officer and was chief of staff for RAF Air Command.

He was most recently director general of the Defence Safety Authority, which investigates accidents in the UK armed forces. 

Shell said: “I feel privileged and I am excited to be appointed at a pivotal time for Ssafa in its 140th year. 

“I look forward to building on my 37 years of service within the military family and to playing a key role in a prestigious organisation.

“I stand ready to follow on the great work that Sir Andrew set up for us.”