ONE of the region's regiments has appointed a new regimental secretary.
Lieutenant Colonel Pip Leighton has become secretary of the Green Howards regiment, and is now based at its headquarters in Richmond, North Yorkshire.
He will be responsible for all aspects of running the Green Howards, from officer recruitment to keeping in touch with former serving soldiers through the Green Howards Association.
He takes over from Lt Col Neil McIntosh, who retired in 2002 after 16 years in the post.
Lt Col Leighton, who remains a serving officer, has recently returned from Sierra Leone, where he was chief UN military observer for six months.
He previously commanded the British Support Unit in Belgium, where he was also responsible for service personnel in France and Spain.
He served as second-in-command of the 1st Battalion the Green Howards from 1997 to 1999, serving in Germany and Northern Ireland.
Married to Sue and now living in Gilling West, near Richmond, he joined the Green Howards in 1979.
He has served five tours of duty in Northern Ireland and was made an MBE in 1996 for his work at the headquarters of the 1st (UK) Armoured Division in Germany
He said: "I am taking up this new role as regimental secretary at a time when the Army is about to undergo great change, and when, after 316 years of service to the Crown as a regiment that has never been amalgamated, the Green Howards face an uncertain future.
"My task is to try to influence the future direction of the regiment and to be involved in the management of any changes."
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