Redcar and Cleveland Council is proud to support our Armed Forces, veterans, and their families. Our Armed Forces Champion plays a key role in making sure that commitment is upheld.
Cllr Dave Taylor was appointed Armed Forces Champion in June 2023 after he was elected Ward Councillor for Eston in the 2023 local elections.
With a strong military family background and five years of service in the Royal Armoured Corps, he brings real-life experience and deep commitment to the role.
He’s been involved in organising major events such as Armed Forces Day and Remembrance Sunday across the Borough.
A founding member of the Eston Remembrance Committee since 2018, Cllr Taylor continues to play a key role in ensuring our local commemorations are respectful and meaningful.
He works closely with local branches of the Royal British Legion, local veterans’ groups, the Don War Memorial Museum, and organisations like Middlesbrough Football Club to promote and support veteran welfare.
Cllr Taylor is also a proud supporter of the new Castle Court Veterans Village, helping create safe, supportive housing for veterans in the Borough.
He advocates for regimental peer support groups and is an active supporter of the Veteran Friendly Framework (VFF), encouraging nursing and care homes to become more accessible and welcoming to veterans.
In addition to his Armed Forces work, Cllr Taylor serves on the Cleveland Fire Authority and the Community Safety Partnership.
He is passionate about making sure veterans and their families are heard, supported, and properly represented—both in council services and across the wider community.
You can contact the Armed Forces Champion by emailing:
David.Taylor@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk or ArmedForcesLiaison@redcar-cleveland.gov.uk
The role
The Armed Forces champion:
- is the key link between Redcar and Cleveland Council and the Armed Forces community in the Borough
- is kept up to date on activities going on locally to support service personnel and their families
- has up-to-date knowledge of Armed Forces issues and is able to provide information on local activities
- attends events relating to the Armed Forces
- raises the profile of the Armed Forces and ex-Service personnel and promotes local events
- encourages local businesses to support the Armed Forces Covenant
A veteran is anyone who has served for at least one day in the Armed Forces, whether regular or reserve.