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Governance

The Royal British Legion is honoured to have His Majesty King Charles III as our Patron.

While having royal patronage from its founding in 1921, the Legion received its "Royal" appellation in 1971 on its golden anniversary.

Her Royal Highness Princess Anne is President of the Women's Section of the Royal British Legion.

Our National President, Vice Admiral Sir Clive Johnstone KBE CB, sadly passed away on Sunday 12 May 2024, shortly after the end of the RBL’s Annual Conference.

As National President, Vice Admiral Sir Clive Johnstone KBE CB represented the Royal British Legion at key ceremonial events including the National Service of Remembrance at the Cenotaph and RBL's Festival of Remembrance.

RBL is electing a National Chair, National Vice Chair and three trustees for their Board of Trustees, and 12 representatives for the Membership Council. These roles are vital in helping to shape the leadership of the Royal British Legion.

The nomination window is open from 1st October - 17th January 2025, with the successful candidates taking up their positions in May 2025.

Find out more about the elections process on the Elections page.

Visit Elections page
Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal collector in battledress holding red collection box

Our aims for 2023 and beyond

The RBL is a community made up of members, volunteers and staff across the UK and with branches around the world. Read our latest annual report to find out more about our work and our ambitious plans for the future.
Download our annual report

Thank you

We are so grateful for all donations which we have received over the past year. Our work would not be possible without our supporter’s generosity.
Thank you to our contributors

The Board exercises responsibility for the overall strategic direction, governance and management of RBL.

The Royal British 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 RBL through the Director General to the Executive Board.

The RBL Board of Trustees

The RBL Board of Trustees sets the organisation's overall strategy and direction.
Learn more about the Board

Board of Trustees

National President

Paul Bennett CB OBE

National Chair

Jason Coward

National Vice Chair

Lynda Atkins

Elected Trustees

John Boisson

Phil Davies

James Lambert

Paul Harris

Steven Lee

Anny Reid OBE

Helen Owen

Appointed Trustees

Paul Astruc

Elizabeth Butler FCA

Monica Risam

Debbie Sorkin

Patsy Wilkinson

Chairman of Women’s Section

Jan Buxton

Executive Board

Director General
Mark Atkinson

Executive Director: Services

Antony Baines

Interim Executive Director, Corporate Services

Zein Virani

Interim Executive Director, Finance

Chris Tingle

Executive Director: Marketing, Fundraising, and Remembrance

Gary Ryan 

Executive Director: People and Organisational Development

Karen Gill

Executive Director: Membership

Janet Talman

Discover more

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