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Russell Thompson retires from Royal British Legion

Fundraising | Celina Ribeiro | 7 Aug 2012

Veteran fundraiser Russell Thompson is retiring as director of fundraising of the Royal British Legion after more than a decade in the role.

Thompson (pictured), who is a stalwart of the industry, will leave the post in September this year and will be replaced by Chris Byrne, presently head of high level giving at Macmillan Cancer Support.

The Legion fundraising director has seen income from the charity’s flagship Poppy Appeal more than double to £39m this year since 1997 when it raised £17m. He’s also seen the charity through a recent period in which the armed forces charity sector has become more competitive and high-profile.

Thompson, who also chairs the Institute of Fundraising’s National Convention, said it had been an honour to work at the Legion.

“I’m very proud of what the charity has achieved in the great cause of helping the serving and ex-Service community,” he said. “The Legion has a superb fundraising team, and I am grateful for the dedication and commitment they have shown.”

Chris Simpkins, director general of the Legion, praised Thompson for his hard work and expertise. “Russell has steered the Legion to great success over the last 15 years. We would like to express our eternal thanks for his fantastic contribution.”

Byrne joins the Legion from Macmillan, which he moved to in 2009 after being Terminal 5 Heathrow’s head of retail. At Heathrow Byrne developed an expo at which he worked with the Legion to install a giant ‘Poppy Man’ during the Remembrance period. While at Macmillan he has worked on the charity’s partnership with major retailers M&S and Boots. The Royal British Legion typically has not had as strong corporate partnership income as other charities of its size.

Who's Who: Russell Thompson