Message sent on behalf of the Director, General Charles Byrne
I am writing to let you know about important plans I have for the Legion.
The most important thing is why we are here, that is why we exist as an organisation.
We are here because the Legion is at the heart of a national network that supports our Armed Forces community through thick and thin – ensuring that their unique contribution is never forgotten.
Our aim must be to help ensure that those we serve can find the range and quality of support they need, when they need it. We must also ensure the enduring responsibility of Remembrance is understood and embraced across our nation and the torch of Remembrance is passed from generation to generation.
Our new 5 year “Gateway” Strategy follows very simply from that purpose and those aims. The first step in that strategy is the creation of Veteran’s Gateway. The Legion is the leading partner in that consortium which, through collaboration with other charities and partners, will provide a first port of call for all veterans to find the support they need, from whoever is best placed to provide it.
To support this new strategy we have set four priorities:
1. Those we support – delivering the support they need through the Gateway Strategy
2. Taking 2018 and the centenary commemorations as an extraordinary opportunity to engage our nation in Remembrance and to reaffirm its enduring importance
3. Working with and supporting our Membership
4. Developing our operational excellence, that is building an efficient and effective organisation that gives great service both to those we support and the organisation itself
With the help of trustees and staff I have created a new Executive Board structure to directly drive the new strategy and deliver on these priorities. I have created three new roles:
• Director of Membership & Volunteering
• Director of Strategy, Policy and Campaigning
• Director of Information, Systems and Data Management.
In particular I believe that having a dedicated Director for Membership & Volunteering will help us give proper focus and support to both our members and our volunteers. I understand that whilst sometimes members and volunteers are the same they can also be different – but both are part of that national network and both are vital to our work and who we are.
We will start recruiting immediately and expect to have all roles filled by the summer. All staff will be made aware of these changes on 23 January with those most impacted already informed.
Please can I ask you to forward this letter by email or post to your Branches and members.
If you have any questions please do address them to feedback@britishlegion.org.uk or internal communications here in Haig House.
Best wishes,
Charles Byrne
Director General
