Meet the Team

Vivienne Buck CBE - Chief Executive

Started working at Blesma: 2 October 2023
Job title: Chief Executive

Vivienne joins Blesma after a highly successful career in the Army, where she ended her service as the first female Head of the British Royal Military Police. In this role she was responsible for delivering a policing, investigation and detention service to Defence and ensuring the safety and security of serving personnel across the world. She was also chair of two registered charities and a charity by exception supporting serving personnel, veterans and their families.

I am hugely delighted and feel privileged to be joining Blesma as its new Chief Executive. Having followed the work of this great charity throughout my military career, I know that it has an excellent reputation for knowing its Members and assisting them to lead independent and fulfilling lives. I look forward to continuing this great work and supporting the Members.

Tony Bloomfield - Operations Director

Job Title: Operations Director

Tony Bloomfield assumed the role of Operations Director at Blesma in March 2014. 

He joined Blesma as the Associate Director of Fundraising following a spell at Blind Veterans. He brings to the Association a wealth of experience, having worked in fundraising, service provision and communications for charities and organisations involved in dementia, neurology, and post-natal depression, as well as liaising with clinical commissioners and All Party Parliamentary Groups to further their causes and raise funds.

Boston Mwense - Finance and Support Director

Job title: Finance and Support Director

Boston Mwense joined Blesma as Head of Finance in 2018. His role as Finance and Support Director encompasses various activities including facilitating the rolling five-year strategic plan, ensuring effective strategic and operational financial planning, monitoring and reporting to enhance the decision making process of Blesma and to ensure compliance with all statutory and external requirements and regulations; liaising with external auditors, budgetary monitoring and managing legacies; leading a team that delivers efficient and effective financial, HR , IT and logistic support services to Blesma staff and membership.

Boston studied Accounting and Finance at university, completing his accountancy exams in 1998, and is now a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in the UK.

Boston enjoys spending time with his family and taking part in his many hobbies which include running (from park runs to marathon), playing chess, writing, singing as part of a quartet for St Albans Choir and watching football as a dedicated Chelsea FC supporter. During Boston’s spare time he is involved in voluntary work both for underprivileged children and the lonely and isolated, which he finds very fulfilling.

Ian Johnson - Director Independence and Wellbeing

Ian Johnson is Blesma’s Director of Independence and Wellbeing.

With nearly 10 years of experience at the RAF Benevolent Fund, Ian oversees wellbeing programs that support the independence of Blesma’s members.

Passionate about delivering Member-led services, Ian focuses on balancing financial constraints and changing policies while ensuring the Association’s offerings remain tailored to Members’ evolving needs.

Working for a military charity is incredibly rewarding because you work with people who have given a lot for their country, and to be able to do something for them and make a difference to someone’s life is satisfying.

To read his full interview click here