Tom Stimpson

Served twenty-six years in the Royal Air Force, including tours of the Falklands, Iraq and Afghanistan. Awarded MBE by HM The Queen in 1999 whilst serving with NATO.

Suffered a Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (MTBI) in Basra in 2006 but went on to serve in Afghanistan in 2009. Presently under the care of Combat Stress for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, seizures and his MTBI. Passionately believes opportunity comes out of adversity.

Has spoken about mental trauma to audiences in Footsie 100 companies, Corpus Christi College Oxford and The Royal Society of Arts. Recently started acting, had his art exhibited in London for ‘The Way Ahead’ project, and started writing his second book.

Was a competitor in the Orlando Invictus Games, and was featured in the BBC documentary The Road to Invictus.

Tip Cullen

Served thirty-seven years as a Royal Marines Commando – the latest seven in RM Reserve. As an RM Mountain Leader, frequently deployed on high threat, kinetic operations, and covert surveillance.

After full-time service, studied at Marjon University and gained BA (Hons) Acting with The Actors’ Wheel, Plymouth (2018). For Shakespeare’s Globe, devised and performed a tribute to four generations of his family for their dedication and sacrifice during active service, using Shakespeare’s and his own words in Shakespeare and Remembrance (2018).

Also part of Chorus in The Merry Wives of Windsor (2019). Toured UK including Edinburgh Festival and Saddlers Wells with Bravo22 play Unspoken by Gary Kitching (2018). Tour of UK and Canada with Soldiers Arts Academy’s Soldier On (2019).

Recent theatre credits includes five week residency at Teatro San Martin, Buenos Aires in Lola Arias’ Campo Minado (Minefield) for Falklands (Malvinas) 40th Anniversary. As well as short films and TV commercials, film credits include the title role in a new action, drama series Sunray, Willie in forthcoming feature film Silent Roar from BBC Film and Young Productions, and Bootsie in Hats Off for Bootsie’s homeless war veteran short, Service No Longer Required. A committed storyteller – a dit spinner – and entertainer on the fiddle, pennywhistle and bodrhan. Has pledged to use his acting to ensure his fallen comrades are not forgotten and remain alive in the consciousness of those they served. Is a supporter of veterans in the arts and is keen to signpost veteran overcomers towards the arts for both rehabilitation and a new career.

Shaun Johnson

Served eight years with a Royal Artillery Gun Regiment; deployed on two active tours in Northern Ireland and three years of Ceremonial Public Duties with a Mounted Regiment. Took up acting and theatre therapy with support from the RSC and Shakespeare’s Globe after struggling with transition from the military.

Recent Credits include: Work Foreman in Grantchester 5 Ep 6, ITV & PSB America; Fisher in Paai – The Matt Amazon Prime Movie; Flaps in Soldier On (SAA Production) The Other Palace Theatre, London; Malvolio in Twelfth Night (CVP Production) Leicester Square Theatre, London; Angelo in Comedy of Errors (CVP US Production) Shakespeare Lansburgh Theater, Washington, DC; Richard III in Richard III (CVP Production) Swan Theatre, Stratford-upon-Avon and Leicester Square Theatre, London.

Wrote and performed at the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse in a Shakespeare Globe production to mark the centenary of Armistice Day; Produced the short film Service No Longer Required (SNLR) for Hats Off for Bootsie.

Has appeared on television, radio, and in several national newspapers to raise awareness about mental health after leaving military service. Mostly found at The Poppy Factory as an Employment Coordinator, helping injured veterans return to work.

Adrian Scarbrough

Served twenty-two years in The Royal Artillery, in the areas of specialisation included but were not restricted to humanitarian, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance.

Adrian has photographed and documented several conflicts and worked closely with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees.

Adrian is a voluntary photographer and head of media and communications for the charities Hats Off for Bootsie, The Pearly Kings and Queens, 10 Million Meters, and Monkey Fist Adventures.

For the last 25 years, his passion for technology and photography has interacted with a curiosity for futurism, ethics, sustainability, and deep empathy for our climate. While attaining his MSc, Adrian project-managed information systems and communication teams within the Corporate IT environment.

Adrian has a research-led photojournalism and documentary practice in Vienna, combining Corporate IT, Web and SaaS development. This has allowed him to complete his MA.

He has joined a new publishing company for artists as a publishing agent.

Hayley Thompson