The Royal Hospital was established by Letters Patent by King Charles II. Since 1702 it has been governed by a Board of Commissioners whose composition and powers are set out in the Letters Patent (which have recently been reviewed and revised). The purpose of the Board is to guide the development of The Royal Hospital, ensuring the care and well-being of the Chelsea Pensioners who live here (who are known as In-Pensioners) and safeguarding the historic buildings and grounds, which it owns in trust.

Currently the Board has eighteen members, some of whom are appointed ex-officio (such as the Paymaster General and the Governor). Up to ten of the Commissioners are specially appointed, for a three year term, by the Crown. The Letters Patent require Commissioners to be distinguished in their field. They are selected because of their management experience and the skills gained in senior positions in the professions, business or commerce that they are able to contribute to the Board.

From time to time vacancies arise for new specially appointed Commissioners. Commissioners will almost invariably have demonstrated a career record of high achievement in the public and/or private sectors in fields relevant to the management of the Royal Hospital. Anyone interested in being considered for appointment as a Commissioner should write to the Secretary of the Royal Hospital with a brief explanation of their relevant qualifications and an up to date CV.

The Board of Commissioners currently comprises:

The Paymaster-General
The Governor of the Royal Hospital Chelsea
The Minister of State for the Armed Forces
The Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Defence
The Director General of Army Medical Services
Assistant Chief of the General Staff
Director General Resources (Land)
The Lieutenant Governor of the Royal Hospital
Professor Dame Janet Husband DBE FMedSci FRCP FRCR
Sir Michael Jenkins KCMG
Lord Bilimoria CBE DL
Mr.D McDonough OBE
Mr. R Moore
Mrs. S Phillips OBE DL
Mr. S A Corbyn FRICS
Mr. Merlin Waterson CBE
Mr. Alan Titchmarsh MBE VMH DL
Mr. Justin Fenwick QC

Senior Staff and Departmental Heads:

The Governor, General Sir Redmond Watt KCB KCVO CBE
Lieutenant Governor, Major General APN Currie CB
Secretary and Director of Administration, Mr. PWD Hatt
Adjutant, Colonel SC Bate OBE
Physician & Surgeon, Dr F Keating MBBS MRCGP
Matron, Colonel L Bale RRC RN
Quartermaster & Director of Facilities, Lt. Col. A Hickling MBE
Chaplain Rev. RH Whittington MBE
Development Director Mr. DC Hellens

To view our annual report, please click here.