NAAFI was created by the British Government in 1921 when the Expeditionary Force Canteens (EFC) and the Navy and Army Canteen Board (NACB) were combined to run the recreational establishments needed by the Armed Forces, and to sell goods to servicemen and their families.
NAAFI expanded its operation over the next 17 years, supporting military bases and deployments across the world, from Bermuda and Jamaica, to Singapore and China. At the outbreak of WWII NAAFI grew exponentially to support the troops on active service, with the number of employees rising from 8,000 to a peak of 110,000 and the number of trading outlets growing from 1,350 to nearly 10,000.
Post war, NAAFI rescaled its operations, closing canteens at a rate of 200 per week and the number of employees reducing to 65,000 by 1947. From the 1950’s onwards, NAAFI has supported the British Forces at home and abroad, including the conflicts in The Falklands, the two Gulf Wars and Afghanistan amongst many others. Today NAAFI operates in far fewer locations but is present in Germany, Gibraltar, Northern Ireland, Brunei, the South Atlantic Islands and on board HM Ships. With around 100 outlets, NAAFI still provides convenience and a ‘taste of home’ to our Forces and their families overseas.
NAAFI’s Naval Canteen Service provides a taste of home through our retail and wholesale service for ships alongside...
NAAFI’s Naval Canteen Service provides a taste of home through our retail and wholesale service for ships alongside and deployed in overseas waters. In addition, we also offer a wholesale service for RFA’s, submarines and small ships, thus supporting the entire Royal Navy and Royal Fleet Auxiliary personnel worldwide.
The Ghurkhas have been based in Brunei since the 1960’s where NAAFI continues to provide a taste of home for both the...
The Ghurkhas have been based in Brunei since the 1960’s where NAAFI continues to provide a taste of home for both the British as well as the Nepalese community. As well as operating a retail, leisure and wholesale business, Brunei is also home to the only Chinese restaurant, the Chautari, within NAAFI.
As a key operating and training base outside of the UK, NAAFI provide a mature, long-term retail, leisure, catering and...
As a key operating and training base outside of the UK, NAAFI provide a mature, long-term retail, leisure, catering and facilities management offer, to support the services and their families stationed in northern Germany.
British Forces Gibraltar is the name given to the Armed Forces stationed in the British overseas territory of...
British Forces Gibraltar is the name given to the Armed Forces stationed in the British overseas territory of Gibraltar. Gibraltar is used primarily as a training area and a stop-over for units and ships en route to and from deployments. NAAFI currently has a number of facilities in Gibraltar, providing an important link to home for service personnel and their families overseas.
The British Army was initially deployed in Northern Ireland in 1969 in the wake of sectarian violence. Operation Banner...
The British Army was initially deployed in Northern Ireland in 1969 in the wake of sectarian violence. Operation Banner was the longest tour in British military history and ended in 2007. Post Op Banner, NAAFI continues to provide retail and leisure services in Northern Ireland.
Whilst many miles away from home NAAFI provides a retail and leisure offer to serving personnel and contractors in the...
Whilst many miles away from home NAAFI provides a retail and leisure offer to serving personnel and contractors in the Falkland Islands, providing a real ‘taste of home’, something we have done since 1982.
As a key stopping off point on route to the Falklands and part of the South Atlantic operation, NAAFI has provided services in Ascension Island since 1982.
Steve Marshall joined NAAFI in 2006 having held various senior roles within Tesco's international business in several countries. Steve was appointed Managing Director in May 2016.
Sir Ian Prosser joined the Board as Chairman in October 2008. Knighted in 1995 Sir Ian, a chartered accountant has a long and distinguished business career mainly in the brewing and hospitality industry. Previous roles have included Chairman and Chief Executive of Bass PLC and also Chairman of Intercontinental Hotel Group. He has been a Non Executive Director for Boots, Lloyds TSB and Non Executive Deputy Chairman of BP Plc. Sir Ian was awarded a degree of Doctor of the University of Birmingham in 2001, and is also a member of the CBI President's Committee.
Reg Curtis joined the Board as Chief Executive Officer in January 2009 before becoming Non-Executive Director in May 2016, he has extensive experience working in senior positions in the retail, catering and leisure sectors.
Prior to his appointment at NAAFI previous roles included Managing Director at Alpha Airports Group, Commercial Director at Safeway and Commercial Director at WH Smith. He has also held various senior roles within Compass and Tesco including that of Deputy CEO of Tesco Hungary.
General Sir Redmond Watt KCB, KCVO, CBE joined the Board in September 2008. He is also the Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea and President of Combat Stress.
His last appointment in the Army was Commander-in-Chief Land Command from 2006 to 2008. Previous appointments included General Officer Commanding (GOC) Northern Ireland, Commander Field Army, GOC London District and GOC 1st (UK) Armoured Division. His early service in the Army was with the Welsh Guards.
Registered address: NAAFI Building 1/150, Room 103, Murrays Lane (PP19B), HM Naval Base Portsmouth, Portsmouth Hampshire, PO1 3NH