RSI Chair’s Report

Brigadier Rich Byfield MBE

I am pleased to report that I have taken over as Chair of the Royal Signals Institution (RSI). Having served for 31 years in the Royal Signals, accepting this position is both an honour and a valuable opportunity to further contribute to the professionalisation of the Corps. The role aligns closely with my position as Head of Army Digital & Data at Army Headquarters in Andover, and I look forward to maximising this synergy to benefit the organisation.

As I begin my tenure, I would like to thank Brigadier (Retired) Greg Wilson for a smooth handover. On behalf of the RSI, we extend our sincere gratitude to Greg for more than fourteen years of exceptional leadership as Chair and Vice Chair. His service — both in uniform and in a distinguished second career at Microsoft — has been instrumental in transforming the RSI into a more agile and strategically aligned organisation. His vision and dedication have left a lasting legacy, and I am confident the Institution will continue to benefit from his contributions for years to come.

It has been a productive year, and we still have much to look forward to in 2025. Building on the successful lectures, visits, careers fair and the Spring Seminar, the remaining programme includes five diverse and engaging talks. The Cold War in Europe (24 Jun), a CIS case study of 1(UK) Division and 2 Signal Regiment (23 Jul), Turing Among the Robots (10 Sep), the Emergency Services Network (15 Oct), and Royal Signals Oral Histories session 2 (20 Nov). We will also be hosting a visit to Army Cyber Spartan in November for our Corporate Members. I am certain many are already looking forward to the 2025 RSI Dinner and Awards Ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel, held alongside the seminar on 13 November.

I am not the only one stepping into a new role within the RSI. I would also like to welcome our new Council members. Colonel Chris Dixon succeeds me as Vice Chair, WO1 Leanne Eveleigh as Logistic Trade Champion and WO1 Gareth McFegan as CIE Trade Champion. With a dedicated and professional Council, and the enthusiastic support of our Corporate and Individual (Retired) Members, I am confident we can continue to provide outstanding support to all signallers across the Royal Signals and Queen’s Gurkha Signals.

I am especially pleased to congratulate Major Luke Facey, who has been selected as the Worshipful Company of Engineers’ Army Engineer Officer of the Year for 2025. This prestigious recognition reflects his exceptional leadership, commitment, and technical innovation at Defence Digital.

On a much sadder note, the RSI extends its deepest condolences to the family of Major General David McDowell CBE, who passed away in April. A former Chair of the RSA and a staunch supporter of the RSI, he will be greatly missed.

We are living in an era defined by geopolitical uncertainty and rapid technological evolution, which demands agility, adaptability, and innovation across every aspect of military capability and strategy. I hope you find this edition of the Journal thought-provoking, offering insights from both past and present to inform and inspire.