Lest We Forget
This Remembrance Day, Moon Executive Search talks to Karen Gill, Director of HR & Volunteering and Jason Coward, Board Trustee, of The Royal British Legion.
The Royal British Legion is a £160m per annum charity - and the largest military charity by a big margin. Their charitable remit is to offer lifelong support to anyone who has served in the armed forces for seven days or more, and to ensure that they are never disadvantaged by their military service.
We start by asking Karen about her specific day to day role. ‘I oversee the delivery of a people strategy that supports the charity’s strategy to ensure it provides a strong and effective service to its beneficiaries. My role ensures we have a positive inclusive culture that attract, retain and engage all of our staff and volunteers offering a programme of development to support training and development needs.’
Jason further explains that ‘the support we offer is extremely broad, ranging from mental health and drug and alcohol abuse support through to the supply of top-quality hearing aids and individual welfare grants for basics like furniture and bills. Last year, the Legion answered over 100,000 direct calls for help as well as offering millions of pounds worth of grants to other specialist charities and organisations.’
Given the scope of activities at the Legion, we ask both Karen and Jason about the projects they have been involved in.
Karen said ‘I have been here two years and overseen a range of projects - reviewing all the pay and benefits, resulting in a new competitive pay structure and improved benefits for staff; managing the staff during lockdowns in terms of furlough, working from home changes, staff welfare and wellbeing, the development of a inclusion strategy, the implementation of a new ambitious people strategy, overseeing a programme of change to align the Legion’s culture to its new strategy, and supporting our welfare teams in the development of a new, people centric service to the millions of beneficiaries we reach annually’ and Jason adds;
‘I have been part of the leadership team helping to shape and push through two different five-year strategic plans, as well as serving on the board of the National Memorial Arboretum in Staffordshire and the Legion’s governance committee. I was actively involved in changing our Royal Charter, presenting the supporting arguments to our Annual Conference and taking direct comment and questions from some very passionate Legion members. The amendments were passed which has improved our Trustee Board decision making processes.
I am also Chair of the Membership Council which represents our 180,000 paid members and is a sub-committee of the Board of Trustees. This is the group that links the members with the Trustees so plays a crucial role in our governance.”
Jason Coward
Given the impact that The British Royal Legion has on individual lives, we asked Jason to explain what impact the charity had had on him?
'It has never been anything but hugely challenging and at the same time hugely rewarding. I am proud to have been able to support a team of staff, fundraisers, volunteers and members who do great works in our communities’ day in and day out. An extraordinary honour!’ and Karen adds:
‘This is the first charity I have worked for, and it’s had a huge impact on my values, drivers and insight into issues that so many people face on a day-to-day basis. The Legion does such great work, supporting people with complex and difficult problems that prevent them from everyday life. I am also humbled by the passion and resilience of the care staff in the 6 care homes who have faced such stress and adversity caring for the residents during the pandemic.’
Karen Gill
Finally, we asked both Karen and Jason to sum up what Remembrance Day means to them personally:
“Remembrance Day is the Legions key day of the year” says Karen ‘“where it can highlight both the history and present roles our military play - for me it’s a sharp reminder of how so many people have sacrificed so much to maintain what we accept in everyday life - it acts as a real marker in the annual calendar this country to remember and it’s such a positive event to be part of.”
“I always find this a deeply moving time of year as I reflect on the selfless sacrifice of all those who serve’ Jason adds ‘Whilst our thoughts naturally and rightly steer towards those who lost their lives, we must never forget that all military service comes with sacrifice, be it mental or physical injury, or something most of us take for granted like the loss of family time with growing children and our relatives. I think we owe these people much more than we know.”
“Remembrance Day is a day of reflection for us all and we are so grateful to Karen and Jason for their insights into the amazing work that The Royal British legion does. The organisation has been supporting Service men and women, ex-serving personnel and their families since 1921 and we are so proud to showcase this organisation.”
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