Charles Byrne, director of fundraising at Royal British Legion, has been appointed the charity’s new director general.

Byrne (pictured), who has been with Royal British Legion since October 2012, replaces Chris Simpkins who spent nine years at the organisation’s top job. Byrne will officially start his new role on 1 August.

The Royal British Legion said Byrne was instrumental in increasing fundraising income during 2014/15 by 16 per cent year on year.

Byrne said: “I know the great range of work the Royal British Legion undertakes across the country and throughout the year, and I am deeply honoured, very proud and very excited to accept the role of director general. The responsibilities are enormous and so too are the opportunities to ensure we honour and uphold that fundamental, moral contract we have with those who Serve or have Served on our behalf.

“In my work with the Legion I am driven by two things; the constant inspiration we are given by the men and women we support and the obligations of stewardship which we take on as custodians of remembrance and members of the Legion.

“The Legion is made of many parts; branches, members, volunteers and staff and there are many other organisations which also support those who Serve or have Served. Our great aim must be to work together to make it as easy as possible for those who so deserve it to receive the support they need.”

Simpkins, who announced his resignation in January, said: “Charles has played a key role in the organisation as a member of my executive team, and in his role as director of fundraising he and his team have produced outstanding year on year improvements. In turn, this has provided the Legion with the ability to deliver outstanding services to our beneficiaries.

“It’s always great to be able to promote from within your own team, and I’m tremendously proud to see Charles rise to the director general position. I am confident that the Legion will be in very safe hands.”

Simpkins did not reveal what his next role would be, and the charity has yet to recruit a director of fundraising.