Blind Veterans UK appoints new Chief Executive

Blind Veterans UK announced today that Major General (Rtd) Nick Caplin CB has been appointed as its Chief Executive. Nick will begin work at the national charity for vision-impaired ex-Service men and women on 13 October 2014. 

A highly distinguished military officer who spent more than 30 years on active service, Nick Caplin began his career as a helicopter pilot for the Army Air Corps. He went on to hold a number of high-profile senior postings, including General Officer Commanding United Kingdom Support Command (Germany), Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff of the Joint Helicopter Command and Kosovo Protection Corps Co-Ordinator. In October 2012, Nick became Chief Army Instructor at the Royal College of Defence Studies. He has extensive experience of leading and managing service delivery organisations and operations.　

Nick's appointment follows the death of Blind Veterans UK's previous Chief Executive, Robert Leader, in April 2014.

Blind Veterans UK's Chairman, Tim Davis, says:

"We are thrilled that Nick Caplin will be Blind Veterans UK's new Chief Executive. Nick has the necessary skills and experience to ensure that Blind Veterans UK can continue to grow the reach, impact and effectiveness of our vital work and support more vision-impaired ex-Service men and women who need our life-changing help."

Nick Caplin says:

"I am proud and honoured to have been appointed as Blind Veterans UK's Chief Executive. Since 1915, the charity has provided outstanding services and lifelong support to vision-impaired ex-Service men and women.

"As the charity approaches its centenary celebrations, I am looking forward to leading Blind Veterans UK into its second century of service and building on the excellent work of my predecessor, Robert Leader. In particular, I am excited by the prospect of extending the accessibility and reach of Blind Veterans UK's life-transforming services, to ensure that no one who has served our country has to battle blindness alone."

Nick Caplin is married to Isobel and has two grown-up children, Alastair and Camilla. His interests include classical music (he describes himself as a rusty pianist and organist), sailing (Yachtmaster qualified) and enjoying the outdoors. He was awarded the Queen's Commendation for Valuable Service in 2001 and appointed Companion to the Most Honourable Order of the Bath in 2012.