Skip to main content Skip to navigation

The Royal British Legion

Notable UK charity

Also known as: British Legion, The Royal British Legion (corporate Body), Poppy Appeal, The Legion

To safeguard the welfare, interests and memory of those who are serving or who have served in the Armed Forces. One of the largest membership organisations in the UK, recognised as the custodians of Remembrance and also run the annual Poppy Appeal.

Email Charity

Activities & Mission

To safeguard the welfare, interests and memory of those who are serving or who have served in the Armed Forces. One of the largest membership organisations in the UK, recognised as the custodians of Remembrance and also run the annual Poppy Appeal.

Areas of Operation

Where this charity is registered to operate, as self-declared to the Charity Commission. These are regulatory classifications, not a list of active programmes, and don't necessarily indicate fundraising activity in each location.

Show all 28 areas of operation

Financial Information

Latest Income
£160,711,000
Latest Expenditure
£174,426,000

Financial Efficiency

Program Ratio 78.6%
% of income going directly to charitable activities
Overall Efficiency 72.5%
% of expenditure going to programs (vs overhead)
Administrative Ratio 28.1%
Overhead (fundraising + governance) as % of total expenditure

Latest Financial Breakdown

Income Sources

Donations & Legacies £92,691,000
Charitable Activities £35,185,000
Other Trading £23,704,000
Investments £8,799,000
Other Income £332,000

Expenditure Categories

Charitable Expenditure £126,372,000
Raising Funds £48,054,000
Governance £910,000
Grants to Institutions £1,859,000
Other Expenditure £0

Financial Trend

Annual Returns

As filed with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. Most recent filing covers the financial year ending 2024.

Financial YearIncomeExpenditureCharitable SpendingNet AssetsReservesStaff
2024
£160,711,000
£174,426,000£126,372,000£358,247,000£102,892,0001774 / 55000
2023
£147,061,000
£180,628,000£133,728,000£350,514,000£88,544,0001649 / 55000
2022
£153,527,000
£151,854,000£109,116,000£378,107,000£109,106,0001544 / 55000
2021
£137,359,000
£141,829,000£103,734,000£379,796,000£107,410,0001567 / 55000
2020
£143,114,000
£160,970,000£122,775,000£350,576,000£70,830,0001675 / 55000

Staff column shows: Employees / Volunteers

Frequently asked questions about The Royal British Legion

What does The Royal British Legion do?

To safeguard the welfare, interests and memory of those who are serving or who have served in the Armed Forces. One of the largest membership organisations in the UK, recognised as the custodians of Remembrance and also run the annual Poppy Appeal.

How much income did The Royal British Legion report in 2024?

The Royal British Legion reported total income of £160.71m and reported expenditure of £174.43m for the financial year ending 2024, based on the most recent annual return filed with the Charity Commission.

When was The Royal British Legion registered as a charity?

The Royal British Legion was registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales on 10 July 1977 as charity number 219279. It has been registered for 49 years.

Who runs The Royal British Legion?

The Royal British Legion is governed by a board of 16 trustees. The chair of trustees is Lynda Atkins DL. Trustees are legally responsible for the charity's governance and are listed in full on its profile.

Where does The Royal British Legion operate?

The Royal British Legion operates across 28 areas, including Belgium, Belize, Brazil and 25 others. The full list is shown on its profile.

Is The Royal British Legion a registered charity?

Yes — The Royal British Legion is a registered charity in England and Wales, charity number 219279.

Details

Address
THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION
199 BOROUGH HIGH STREET
LONDON
SE1 1AA
Registration Date
10 July 1977
Status
Registered

Registry Information

Organisation Number
219279
Charity Number
219279

Is this your charity?

Add your logo, photos and tell the story behind the numbers in your own words. Free for our first 50 launch partners.

Claim this listing Learn more about premium profiles

Trustees

Lynda Atkins DL Chair
Also governs 1 other charity
Becks Buckingham
DEBBIE SORKIN MA MBA
ELIZABETH BUTLER
Helen Owen
Also governs 1 other charity
James Lambert
Jan Buxton
John Thornhill
Major James Sibbald
Also governs 1 other charity
Monica Risam
Neil James
Paul Astruc
PAUL HARRIS
Also governs 1 other charity
Paul Lincoln
Philip Davies
Steven Lee

Sectors & Classifications

Also Known As

  • British Legion
  • The Royal British Legion (corporate Body)
  • Poppy Appeal
  • The Legion

Data & trust

Register data refreshed
14 May 2026
Report a data issue