ABF The Soldiers’ Charity is delighted to announce the appointment of Simon Heale as the new Chairman of its Board of Trustees, from 1st January 2023.
Simon brings extensive experience and expertise to the appointment, having served in roles across the not-for-profit and private sectors.
A qualified Chartered Accountant and former Trustee and Treasurer of Macmillan Cancer Support, Simon was previously Chief Executive of the London Metal Exchange. He has also been on the board of a number of businesses including, most recently, being Non-Executive Chairman of Kaz Minerals plc and Energean Oil and Gas plc.
Reacting to his appointment, Simon said:
“I am honoured and excited to be the first civilian Chairman of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity. It is an organisation whose values I care deeply about and the need for whose work remains clear.
“The former Chairman, Lt Gen Philip Jones, has done a tremendous job and left the charity in excellent shape, with a strong and capable executive team, whom I am looking forward to working with to continue the charity’s vital work for the Army family.”
On 31 December 2022, Lt Gen Philip Jones CB CBE DL completed his tenure as Chairman of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, a position he has held since November 2016.
Lt Gen Philip Jones CB CBE DL, former ABF The Soldiers’ Charity Chairman said:
“It has been a great honour to play a role in this important charity and I offer my sincere thanks to the Board for their support, dedication and commitment over the past six years. I also offer my heartfelt gratitude to the outstanding people of this charity who achieved the near-impossible in the face of COVID.
“Simon Heale is the right person at the right time to lead the Board through this economically turbulent period and to chart a strategy for the future.”
Maj Gen Tim Hyams CB OBE, Chief Executive of ABF The Soldiers’ Charity, said:
“I would, at a personal level and on behalf of all across the charity, wish to express a huge debt of gratitude to Phil for his significant contribution as Chairman since 2016.
“All of us at ABF The Soldiers’ Charity very much look forward to working with Simon, to continue the work that Phil has led over the past six years.”