The Royal United Services Institute is pleased to announce that the Duke of Wellington, has been nominated by the Trustees to serve as the next Chair of RUSI. He will take up the position in 2025, subject to confirmation at RUSI's next Annual General Meeting.
At the Institute’s 2023-24 Annual General Meeting, current Chair Sir David Lidington announced that, at the end of his five-year term of office, he would be succeeded by the Duke of Wellington. The Duke has been nominated unanimously by RUSI’s Trustees who will propose his appointment for approval by RUSI's members at the 2025 AGM.
Sir David’s tenure as Chair has seen RUSI go from strength to strength, despite the challenges imposed by the global pandemic. Significantly, the completion of a £13.5m fundraising initiative has seen RUSI return to its refurbished 61 Whitehall home. At the same time, the Institute has met unprecedented demand for its insight and analysis, with conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East high among global challenges the Institute has been well placed to address.
Reflecting on his own tenure and welcoming the Duke’s appointment, Sir David said:
It has been a privilege to have helped to lead RUSI over the last four years and to work alongside an exceptionally talented team of researchers and support staff. Their professionalism, expertise and sheer hard work have taken the Institute's standing to new heights.
He continued:
I am very pleased that my fellow Trustees have nominated the Duke of Wellington to succeed me. The Duke has already contributed to the redevelopment and has endowed our yearly Medal for Military History which bears the name of his illustrious predecessor, the first Duke of Wellington who helped found RUSI in 1831. His extensive business, charitable and political experience will be a huge asset to RUSI. As the Institute approaches its 200th anniversary, it is fitting indeed that the ninth Duke will chair our Trustees.
The Rt Hon Sir David Lidington KCB CBE
Chair
Currently a Senior Vice-President of the Institute, the Duke has played an active role in RUSI’s success over many years. He thanked Sir David, saying:
During Sir David’s leadership, RUSI’s strength has increased significantly, most importantly in the refurbishment of and return to our 61 Whitehall home in 2023. And he has the thanks of all the trustees.
He went on:
I am enormously proud of the connection my family has had with the Institute since its foundation and I look forward to playing a more active role.
His Grace the Duke of Wellington OBE DL
Trustee
The Duke of Wellington is expected to take up the position of Chair after the next AGM, to be held at a date to be confirmed in 2025.
Notes
More information about RUSI’s governance, including the role of Chair and Trustees can be found here.Â
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