The Royal British Legion is honoured to have Her Majesty the Queen as our Patron.
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, CBE appointed 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 aims for 2020 and beyond
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.
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.
The Board exercises responsibility for the overall strategic direction, governance and management of RBL.
The 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.
Board of Trustees
National President |
Lt General James Bashall CB, CBE |
National Chairman |
Mrs Una Cleminson BEM TD |
National Vice Chairman |
Lt Col Joseph Falzon OSJ BEM |
Elected Trustees |
Lynda Atkins |
Rodney Bedford |
Tony Goodwin |
Paul Harris |
Helen Owen |
Anny Reid |
David Whimpenny |
Appointed Trustees |
Elizabeth Butler |
Jason Coward |
Major General David Jolliffe CB FRCP |
Monica Risam |
Philip Moore |
Debbie Sorkin |
Chairman of Women’s Section |
Pat Chrimes |
Executive Board
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 |
Interim Director of HR and Organisational Development |
Karen Gill |
Previous annual reports