 His retirement from the army took effect in January 2002.He was appointed Honorary Colonel of Exeter University OTC in June 2003 having held periods of tenure as Colonel Commandant Corps of Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (November 1992 to November 1997) and Colonel Commandant The Parachute Regiment (July 1993 to September 1998).He also held the appointment of Aide-de-Camp General to the Queen between August 2000 and November 2001.