MEET OUR PEOPLE

After graduating from Imperial College, Adrian Johns served for 35 years in the Royal Navy, specialising as a helicopter pilot and flying instructor, but also commanding five times at sea in a variety of ships ranging from a minesweeper to HMS OCEAN, then Britain’s largest warship. He was Head of the Fleet Air Arm for 5 years and retired from the Navy as Second Sea Lord and Commander-in-Chief Naval Home Command in 2008. He was subsequently appointed Governor and Commander-in-Chief of Gibraltar from 2009 to 2013. Following his second retirement, he is now a non–executive member of the Civil Service Pensions Board. He is a Deputy Lieutenant of Greater London and, amongst a variety of other charitable interests, is a trustee and Deputy Chairman of the Greenwich Foundation and a Patron of a number of Veterans’ Associations.

Baroness Gloria Hooper is a distinguished lawyer and Conservative life peer in the House of Lords. Her career spans roles in legal advisory and policy positions, including as a partner at Taylor and Humbert. She has a longstanding commitment to heritage and cultural affairs, serving as President of the European Foundation for Heritage Skills and holding various leadership positions in cultural and charitable organisations.

Sir Bob Neill KC (Hon) is a barrister and Conservative Party politician. He served as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Bromley and Chislehurst from 2006 to 2024 and is a former Chair of the All Party Group on Gibraltar, He was given the freedom of the City of Gibraltar in September 2025.

Peter holds a Certified Diploma in Accounting and Finance from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He retired in 2014 from a career in the UK Ministry of Defence, which included advising Government Ministers on RAF issues and coordinating budgeting across the British Army and Defence Ministry, including the implementation of International Accounting Standards in the Public Sector. Between 2000 and 2007, he was involved in NATO policy development. Peter worked in a business management and governance role in British Forces Gibraltar from 2009 until he retired as the Command’s Senior Finance Officer.

Richard served 40 years in the Royal Navy, with frequent assignments in Gibraltar and shore postings in Australia. His final role was Director of the Naval Base Clyde. His interest in Gibraltar’s heritage deepened as Chief Staff Officer in Gibraltar. He retired in 2015 from a defence company role and actively supports charities, including Alabare. Richard and his family maintain strong ties to Gibraltar.

Born in Gibraltar, schooled at St Christopher’s, Royal Navy service followed and many visits forged and continued my links to the Rock. Volunteering in later life has included over 20 years as a Director of the international Dutch Barge Association which included influencing government Agencies on their responsibilities.

Born in Gibraltar and raised in Surrey, Len began his career as a Chartered Civil Engineer before moving into IT Sales and Marketing. He has run his consultancy practice for 35 years, providing training internationally. Len has held leadership roles, including that of President of Surrey Chambers of Commerce. An accomplished sportsman, Len has won national squash titles and coached at elite levels.

Julian served a distinguished British Army career, holding senior roles, including Deputy Commander in Gibraltar and Defence Attaché in Damascus. Post-army, he worked at Westminster Abbey and served as a civilian expert in international peacekeeping and stabilisation missions globally.

Jennifer graduated from the University of Nottingham, later holding senior roles at the University of Bristol Library. She has extensive involvement with heritage and Alzheimer’s societies. Jennifer has family links with Gibraltar from the 1880s to the 1950s.  Her own parents met and married there, after working together in the Defence Security Office during WWII.  Her father David was Gibraltar’s Defence Security Officer, 1950-55, during which period she attended Brympton School. She now edits Rock Talk as  well as being Society Archivist.

Charles is a Gibraltarian classical concert guitarist, studied the guitar with William Gomez MBE. He continued his studies at the Royal College of Music, making his professional debut on London’s South Bank in 1974. He has travelled widely as soloist and the duo with his wife Helen Kalamuniak gained a special reputation for their transcriptions of large scale works, such as the first ever arrangement for guitars of JS Bach’s ‘Goldberg Variations’. He was appointed professor at the RCM in 1978 where he also taught at the college’s Junior Department until his retirement in 2020. His book ‘Technical Development’ was used for over a decade by the Trinity College London international grade exams.