While having royal patronage from its founding in 1921, the Legion received its "Royal" appellation in 1971 on its golden anniversary.
Our National President is Lt General James Bashall CB, CBEappointed in May 2019.
As National President, Lt General James Bashall will represent the Legion at key ceremonial events including the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph and the Legion's Festival of Remembrance.
Her Royal Highness Princess Anne is President of the Women's Section of The Royal British Legion.
Our activities of Remembrance, fundraising and service provision not only help people, but they also bring people together. Read our latest annual report to find out more about our work and our ambitious plans for the future.
Download our annual reportOur activities of Remembrance, fundraising and service provision not only help people, but they also bring people together. Read our latest annual report to find out more about our work and our ambitious plans for the future.
Download our annual reportThe Legion is governed by a Board of Trustees. Elections and appointments are staggered over a three year cycle to allow an intake of new Trustees every year.
The Board delegates responsibility for the day-to-day running of the Legion through the Director General to the Executive Board.
| National President |
Lt General James Bashall CB, CBE |
National Chairman |
| Mrs Una Cleminson BEM TD |
| National Vice Chairman |
Mr Colin Kemp |
| Elected Trustees |
Denise Edgar |
| Lt Col Joseph Falzon OSJ BEM |
Grp Captain Anny Reid (RAF Retd) OBE ARRC |
| Rod Bedford |
| David Whimpenny |
| Paul Harris |
| Lynda Atkins (co-opted until Annual Conference 2020) |
| Appointed Trustees |
| Debbie Sorkin |
| Jason Coward |
Major General David Jolliffe CB FRCP |
| Philip Moore |
| Liz Butler |
Anthony Macaulay |
Chairman of Women’s Section |
Pat Chrimes |
| Director General |
| Charles Byrne |
| Director of Finance |
| Daniel Oppenheimer |
Director of Operations |
| Antony Baines |
| Director of Fundraising |
| Claire Rowcliffe |
| Director of Remembrance and Marketing |
| Gary Ryan |
| Director of Membership and Volunteering |
| Emma Cannings |
| Director of HR and Organisational Development |
| Sue Donaldson |
Supported by Allan Burgin, Head of Governance and Administration, and Helen Downie, Chief Financial Officer.
The forthcoming elections are for the following roles: National Chairman, National Vice-Chairman, and Trustees (three positions).
Our information pack provides all of the information and supporting documents that Voting Branches will need to submit nominations.
The elections are due to take place prior to the 2019 Annual Conference
As we move on from our commemoration of the end of the First World War, the new National Chairman, National Vice-Chairman and Trustees will be steering the Legion's plans for our centenary in 2021 and beyond.
Download our election packAs we move on from our commemoration of the end of the First World War, the new National Chairman, National Vice-Chairman and Trustees will be steering the Legion's plans for our centenary in 2021 and beyond.
Download our election packYou can also download our 2017 annual report.
