Established in 1919, Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) is a national charity providing employment, training and support to members and veterans of the British Armed Forces, their families and dependents; as well as those with a disability or health condition and those who have been long-term unemployed. RBLI launched the Improving Lives 10 year strategy in 2015, with the intent to grow and further develop the charitable offering with an ever increasing national reach, modern facilities and collaborative and innovative programmes. In 2019, the charity’s centenary year, RBLI announced the Centenary Village, a new £22 million development, which will provide a home to hundreds of more veterans every year.

RBLI is a charity like no other in the UK. It provides a breadth of support that is unparalleled, including employment, employability support, learning and development and accommodation. The accommodation includes emergency arrangements, family homes, specially adapted homes, assisted living and high dependency nursing across two care homes. In the coming months the current phase of the Centenary Village development will be complete, providing additional accommodation and services.  

Lifeworks, a programme supported by RBLI’s partners, is a service run at zero cost to participants. The aim is to help support veterans looking to move into sustainable employment, training or education. It also provides support to military families looking for employment. Whilst the majority of the staff working for this programme are based in Aylesford, the courses and support are provided throughout the country.

The RBLI Aylesford village contains the full care pathway, supporting younger veterans who are at risk of homelessness, assisted living for veterans and their dependents over the age of 55 and high-dependency care homes.  

A key part of RBLI is the social enterprises, which currently employ over 100 people, 75% of whom are veterans, have a disability or both. Located in Aylesford, Leatherhead and Glasgow the social enterprises manufacture a range of products for both the public and private sector.

Royal British Legion Industries is a separate charity from the Royal British Legion.

The Board of Trustees is responsible for the overall governance and strategic direction of the charity. It oversees all aspects of the organisation, working closely with the Chief Executive and senior management team.

All Trustees are expected to:

• Ensure that the charity complies with its governing documents, charity law and any other relevant legislation or regulations, and that it operates within its charitable objectives, carrying out its purpose for the public benefit
• Always act in the charity’s best interest and with reasonable care and skill
• Provide clear strategic direction and regularly review the mission, strategic aims, guiding principles and overall plans for the organisation and progress against objectives
• Ensure the financial stability, probity and sustainability of the organisation through effective scrutiny and challenge especially in relation to the financial aspects of the charity
• Safeguard the charity’s reputation and values and adhere fully to the Trustee Code of Conduct

Ideally, RBLI would like Trustees with some skills and experience in any of the following areas:

• Digital Transformation: To support its ongoing digital transformation programme, RBLI is looking for experience in business systems, GDPR, information security and cybersecurity assurance
• Healthcare: With a large part of its social mission being dedicated to providing healthcare and support through the entire spectrum, e.g. dementia care and assisted living, RBLI seeks a Trustee to join its Board with senior operational medical / healthcare experience, especially in the area of mental health
• Welfare / Employment Solutions: RBLI seeks to appoint a Trustee with relevant experience and expertise in working with vulnerable adults and / or is a mental health or social work professional ideally from an organisation such as a charity or housing association that provides welfare support, employment solutions and coaching
• Fundraising: RBLI seeks a candidate with experience of grants
• Estates Development: RBLI seeks to appoint a Trustee with estates development experience, in part to be involved with the relevant sub-committee in this area

RBLI is committed to maintaining and improving the diversity representation on its Board. For more information please refer to the Diversity section.

For more information on RBLI's Board of Trustees, please see here.

The appointment for these Trustee roles are unremunerated, but pre-agreed reasonable travel expenses will be reimbursed. The tenure will initially be for a three-year period, which will be subject to review.

RBLI is open to hiring across the UK as meetings are held on a relaxed hybrid basis, where Trustees are able to attend online and will join a few meetings per year in-person. There are four Board meetings per year, with additional interim meetings on an ad hoc basis. Trustees may be asked to join additional Advisory Boards and Sub-Committees, which will meet on a quarterly basis.

RBLI welcomes applications from everyone regardless of age, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, faith or disability. As those from an ethnic minority background are currently under-represented on the Board, applications from those candidates would be particularly encouraged. All appointments will be made on merit, following a fair and transparent process. In line with the Equality Act 2010, however, the organisation may employ positive action where candidates from underrepresented backgrounds can demonstrate their ability to perform the role equally well.