Who we are
The Royal British Legion is governed by a Board of Trustees consisting of the National Chairman, National Vice Chairman, twelve elected Trustees, six appointed Trustees and the National Chairman Women’s Section. Elections and appointments are staggered over a three year cycle to allow an intake of new Trustees every year.
The Board exercises responsibility for the overall strategic direction, governance and management of the Legion, ensuring that the charity operates within the law and within its objectives as laid down in the Royal Charter.
The Board delegates responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Legion to the Executive Group, led by the Director General, within a clearly defined decision-making and reporting structure.
Patron and National President
The Royal British Legion is honoured to have Her Majesty the Queen as its patron. While having royal patronage from its founding in 1921, the Legion received its "Royal" appellation in 1971 on its golden anniversary.
The National President of The Royal British Legion is Lieutenant General Sir John Kiszely KCB MC, appointed in early 2009.
Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal is president of the Women's Section of The Royal British Legion.
Board of Trustees
| National Chairman | Mr Peter Cleminson FIET |
| National Vice Chairman | Mr John Farmer |
| Elected Trustees | Appointed Trustees |
| John Crisford BSc (Hons) | Col John Barkshire CBE TD JP DL |
| Eddy Dixon | Adrian Burn FCA |
| Ken Draper | Brig Jim Drew CBE BSc (Eng) CEng FIEE |
| Noel Duston | Dr Diana Henderson |
| John Fisher MBE | Jenny Rowe |
| Mrs Cecilia Harper BA | Rev Mike Williams |
| Eddie Hefferman MBE | |
| Jeff Lodge MBE | |
| Malcolm McCaw MLJ FRSA | |
| Bill Parkin | |
| Keith Prichard MBFIM | |
| David Walker | |
| Terry Whittles |
Executive Group
| Director General | Chris Simpkins |
| Director of Finance | John Graham |
| Director Welfare | Sue Freeth |
| Commercial Director | Stephen Cooper |
| Director of National Events & Fundraising | Russell Thompson OBE |
| Director of Membership & Regions | Ralph Ashenhurst |
| Director of Corporate Communications | Stuart Gendall |
| Director of Human Resources | Sharron Lewis-James |
| Head of Governance & Administration | Joe Falzon BEM |
| Women's Section National Secretary | Anthony Beattie |
Counties and Branches
The Legion has an extensive network of county and branch committees, managed entirely by volunteers (our members). County committees are responsible for the supervision of branches.
The primary function of branches is to administer their own welfare, undertake their own fundraising with central support for the Poppy Appeal, recruit and maintain members and manage their own finances.
