Updated on

We are delighted to announce that James Needham has been appointed as our new Chief Executive Officer on a permanent basis after stepping in as interim CEO in October 2022.

James is already a well-established member of the Help for Heroes family since joining us in 2018 as Chief Operating Officer. He has been instrumental in the development of our 10-year strategy and brings a wealth of expertise and continuity having worked across most areas of the charity.

He previously spent more than 15 years working in operations management within the hospitality sector for the likes of Greene King and Starbucks.

An image of our new CEO, James Needham
Our new CEO, James Needham - Help for Heroes

Commenting on the news, James said: “I am proud and humbled to be appointed Chief Executive of Help for Heroes.

“In my five years at the charity, I have seen first-hand the dedication and energy of colleagues as they deliver extraordinary impact for veterans and families living with long-term health conditions."

I am thrilled to lead this team into the future and honour our promise to provide direct and practical support to beneficiaries for as long as they need us.

James Needham

CEO, Help for Heroes

Sir Nigel Boardman, the Chair of Trustees at Help for Heroes, added: “James is a man of high integrity who has a genuine and passionate belief in helping members of our Armed Forces community.

“From his time at the Charity and previous experience in the private sector we know that he has a proven track record of results and the necessary skills to lead our organisation into the future.

“I am confident that under James’ leadership, Help for Heroes will continue to go from strength to strength, ensuring more veterans and their families can live well after service.”