ROYAL COMMONWEALTH EX-SERVICES LEAGUE
Financial health, per its FY2024 accounts
The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure of £391,936 for the year, driven by higher welfare expenditure and lower donations. Total funds decreased to £1,558,167, with free reserves covering 18.6 months of unrestricted expenditure, though the trustees note the charity effectively has no reserves as assets are planned for consumption over the next five years.
What the accounts disclose
“The Chairman of TRBL is also a Trustee of The Officers' Association (OA). RCEL undertakes restricted Agency work on behalf of the OA for specific beneficiaries overseas and recovers the cost of this work.” — page 37
Corporate structure
- Registered company of the charity Companies House 10922587
Leadership, per the charity’s website
- Field Marshal The Lord Richards of Herstmonceux GCB CBE DSO DL — Grand President
- Major General Mitch Mitchell CB MBE — Deputy Grand President
- Major David Thompson — Secretary General
- Mrs Evelyn Strouts — Chairman Welfare (SCOWP) Committee
- Colonel MJ Winarick OBE — Deputy Chairman of Executive Committee and Council Meetings
- Mr JM Archer — Honorary Treasurer
- Colonel B Pasan Kularatne — Controller Finance
- Squadron Leader Tim Burt — Controller Welfare and Grants
Structured financials (annual return, FY ending 31/03/2025)
Trustees
- Major General Gerald Ian Mitchellchair
- ANDREW JOHN MARTIN
- EVELYN ANNE STROUTS
- Elisabeth Watkins
- JEREMY MICHAEL ARCHER MA
- Jason Peter Hazell
- MAJOR GENERAL CHRISTOPHER HASLETT ELLIOTT
- Michael John Winarick
- Paul Jacques Sylvain Astruc
- Paul Wesley Farquharson Chambers
Income and spending
| Financial year end | Income | Spending |
|---|---|---|
| 31/03/2025 | £3.0m | £3.1m |
| 31/03/2024 | £3.0m | £3.4m |
| 31/03/2023 | £3.8m | £3.8m |
| 31/03/2022 | £4.1m | £4.2m |
| 31/03/2021 | £3.6m | £4.6m |
Common questions
Is ROYAL COMMONWEALTH EX-SERVICES LEAGUE financially healthy?
The accounts state that the charity reported a net expenditure of £391,936 for the year, driven by higher welfare expenditure and lower donations. Total funds decreased to £1,558,167, with free reserves covering 18.6 months of unrestricted expenditure, though the trustees note the charity effectively has no reserves as assets are planned for consumption over the next five years. Its FY2024 accounts were audited by Buzzacott LLP.
Who funds ROYAL COMMONWEALTH EX-SERVICES LEAGUE?
Funders whose own accounts filings name ROYAL COMMONWEALTH EX-SERVICES LEAGUE as a grant recipient include Army Benevolent Fund, THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION, QUEEN MARY'S ROEHAMPTON TRUST, M ST J WAY CHARITABLE TRUST.
Known funders
| Funder | Year | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Army Benevolent Fund | FY2023 | £200k |
| Army Benevolent Fund | FY2025 | £177k |
| Army Benevolent Fund | FY2026 | £162k |
| THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION | FY2023 | £55k |
| QUEEN MARY'S ROEHAMPTON TRUST | FY2022 | £20k |
| THE ROYAL BRITISH LEGION | FY2022 | £14k |
| M ST J WAY CHARITABLE TRUST | FY2023 | £6k |