HEAD RANGER BOB TO RETIRE

Bournemouth Town Centre BID’s Head Ranger, Bob Carter MBE, is retiring after over 8 years in the high-profile role.

Bob, 65, has been the face of the Ranger team and an outstanding ambassador for the town centre business community.

He said: “It’s been a fascinating, enjoyable and at times, a very challenging period. There have been many changes over the years and of course we have been through the unprecedented time of the pandemic, but we have seen it through with a passionate and dedicated team willing to go above and beyond their normal job role.”

He added: “I am proud to feel that the Rangers team has made a huge difference to the town centre and our great businesses with the help and support we have been able to give, working with other organisations like the police and council. I have really loved the job.”

After retiring from a distinguished career in the Royal Air Force in 2012, Bob worked for House of Fraser before joining the Town Centre BID in 2014.

After leaving school at 18, he served for five years in RAF the Intelligence branch before becoming a Flight Engineer operating on the Hercules C-130 transport aircraft.

For 20 years he was involved on special forces operations across the world.

He also had an instructional role training pilots and other Flight Engineers and totalled of over 11,000 hours flying time.

Bob was made an MBE by the Queen in 2004 for his services to the RAF and in particular, defeating a ground to air missile system saving the crew and 40 special forces troops whilst operating over Iraq when he and his crew came under attack. Using flares and ‘chaff’ he ensured the missiles fired from the ground did not hit their intended target.

During his last two years in the RAF, Bob volunteered as a Flight Engineer on the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight’s historic Avro Lancaster, including the displays at the 2010 and 2011 Bournemouth Air Festival.

“That was an incredible privilege,” said Bob. “An absolutely wonderful experience operating one of the most iconic aircraft of WW2.”

Bournemouth Town Centre BID Chief Operating Officer, Paul Kinvig, said: “Bob has been an outstanding ambassador for the town centre, leading by example and building great relationships with the business community over ten years. We will miss him hugely and so will the town centre.”

Bob retires on December 16.