News

We are pleased to announce the appointment of David Richmond CBE as the Royal Hospital Chelsea’s new Chief Executive Officer. Mr Richmond will officially assume his role on the 19 February 2024, succeeding Gary Lashko, who has served as CEO for eight years.  

As a personable and collaborative leader, Mr Richmond CBE brings a wealth of experience to the Royal Hospital Chelsea. His background as a leadership and executive coach and mentor means he is skilled in and passionate about developing and empowering his colleagues. Coupled with an in depth understanding of veterans through his extensive military career and work for Help for Heroes and the Office of Veterans Affairs, Mr Richmond CBE will be a great asset to help the Royal Hospital continue its 300-year-old mission in providing outstanding Veteran care within the local and wider community.   

Gary Lashko, CEO, said:

I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know of my decision to step down from the role of CEO at the end of February 2024, after 8 years in the role. I have thoroughly enjoyed serving the organisation and the Chelsea Pensioners during this time and I am pleased to announce that my successor, David Richmond CBE, will be joining in mid-February 2024. David brings a vast amount of expertise in veterans advocacy and senior leadership roles as an Independent Veterans Advisor to UK Government Ministers and is also a veteran himself. I am confident that leadership of the Hospital will be in good hands. 

In response to his appointment, David Richmond CBE commented:

I am utterly delighted to have been invited to become the next Chief Executive of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. The institution and, most of all, Chelsea Pensioners are an iconic part of the fabric of British society and represent all that is good about military service and the strong community and values of the Hospital. I am looking forward to taking up the role in February and to meeting the staff, Pensioners and our supporters in the local community and further afield. 

We are excited to welcome Mr David Richmond CBE to the Royal Hospital Chelsea and look forward to working with him.