The Royal British Legion has appointed the charity’s Director of Fundraising, Charles Byrne, as its next Director General following a rigorous selection process…

Charles joined the Legion in October 2012 as the Director of Fundraising and has been instrumental in increasing fundraising income during 2014/15 by 16% year on year and in launching the ‘Live On’ brand expression at the 2014 Poppy Appeal.

Charles will bring a wealth of third sector and commercial experience to the role having previously held positions of Head of High Level Giving and Corporate Events at Macmillan, and in commercial and retail management roles at BAA (Terminal 5), World Duty Free, Allders International and Oddbins.

On his new appointment Charles said: “I know the great range of work The Royal British Legion undertakes across the country and throughout the year, and I am deeply honoured, very proud and very excited to accept the role of Director General. The responsibilities are enormous and so too are the opportunities to ensure we honour and uphold that fundamental, moral contract we have with those who Serve or have Served on our behalf.

“In my work with the Legion I am driven by two things; the constant inspiration we are given by the men and women we support and the obligations of stewardship which we take on as custodians of remembrance and members of the Legion.

“The Legion is made of many parts; branches, members, volunteers and staff and there are many other organisations which also support those who Serve or have Served. Our great aim must be to work together to make it as easy as possible for those who so deserve it to receive the support they need.”

Charles will officially start his new role as of 1st August 2016, allowing for a full and thorough handover of responsibilities from the current Director General, Chris Simpkins. Chris announced his resignation in January 2016 following nine years at the organisation in which time he successfully led the long overdue modernisation and transformation of the Legion.

Commenting on his successor’s appointment Chris said: “Charles has played a key role in the organisation as a member of my executive team, and in his role as Director of Fundraising he and his team have produced outstanding year on year improvements. In turn, this has provided the Legion with the ability to deliver outstanding services to our beneficiaries.

“It’s always great to be able to promote from within your own team, and I’m tremendously proud to see Charles rise to the Director General position. I am confident that the Legion will be in very safe hands."