A Chorleywood man will be taking the helm of the Royal Air Force Charitable Trust Enterprises (RAFCTE) as he becomes chief executive later this year.

Andy Armstrong will become head of the Royal Air Force (RAF) charity organisation after July’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) military airshow.

Mr Armstrong said: "I am genuinely excited and feel very privileged to be taking over the controls of such a unique organisation. I look forward to working alongside everyone at Douglas Bader House and hope to meet many of the extraordinary volunteers, whom I have heard so much about, as we get ready for this summer’s Air Tattoo."

The father-of-two’s interest in the RAF comes from his father, who was the ATC Corps Chaplain for more than a decade.

He said: "My enthusiasm definitely came from him. I remember being taken to an Air Tattoo when I was very young, to see one of the first displays of the Harrier. Watching an aircraft stop in mid-air, hover and then fly backwards for the first time was something I, and thousands of others that day, will never forget."

Upon leaving school, Mr Armstrong was awarded a Cadet Flying Scholarship, which enabled him to obtain his Private Pilot’s Licence and he continued flying with the University Air Squadron whilst studying at Strathclyde University.

Mr Armstrong said: "Having personally benefited from the support of the RAF family, I think joining the RAFCTE and RIAT team is a fabulous opportunity to use all my experience to give something back."

The current chief executive, Tim Prince, is stepping down after 43 years.