Patron: The Duke of Sussex
The Duke of Sussex was inspired to bring the Invictus Games to London after visiting the Warrior Games in America 2013. The Duke sees the Games as an important part of a broader legacy of support, through a combination of on-going care, training and employment opportunities, to the well-being of those men and women who have served their country.
Chairman: Lord Charles Allen of Kensington CBE
Charles’ business career ranges from media to hospitality. He is especially known for his contribution to the television industry, having played a key role in the creation of ITV. Currently he is Chairman of Global Media & Entertainment Group and ISS A/S. He is also Advisory Chairman at Moelis & Company. Charles was Vice Chairman of the London 2012 bid company, non –executive director of the London Organising Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and Chairman of the Manchester Commonwealth Games in 2002. In 2002 he was awarded a CBE for his services to Sport and Community and in 2012 he was appointed a Knight Bachelor for his services to the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
TRUSTEES
Dave Henson MBE
Dave Henson was a Royal Engineer Search Adviser in the Army. He lost both his legs when he stepped on an IED in Helmand in 2011. Dave captained the British Armed Forces Team to victory at the London 2014 Invictus Games and won two Gold medals in Athletics and Sitting Volleyball.
Debbie Jevans CBE
Debbie Jevans was formerly Director of Sport for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. Debbie is a member of the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s Committee of Management and Championships Committee, and board member of Sport England and the Football Association.
Edward Lane Fox LVO
Edward Lane Fox is a former captain in the Household Cavalry who served in Bosnia and Iraq. After leaving the Army he worked at financial communications firm, RLM Finsbury, before joining the staff of the Royal Household in 2013 where he was Private Secretary to HRH The Duke of Sussex until July 2018.
Melanie Richards
Melanie is a Non Executive Director of Morgan Stanley International with almost 40 years’ corporate finance and capital markets experience. Melanie was awarded a CBE for her contribution to business and to the diversity and inclusion agenda in 2019. She is an Honorary Member of the ICAEW and has been awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Business and Administration from Oxford Brookes University. Melanie is Chair of the Eve Appeal (a women’s cancer charity) and also a trustee of The Royal National Theatre.
Paddy Nicoll
Paddy Nicoll has served in the British Army and more than 125 consecutive years on charity boards including Royal Foundation’s Endeavour Fund, Invictus Games London, Henley Festival, Henley Show, and Chair of River & Rowing Museum and Row2Recovery. His current Trusteeships also include the Veterans’ Advisory & Pension Committee and he is Chair of two property companies.
STAFF
Chief Executive: Dominic Reid OBE
Dominic was responsible for the operational delivery of the inaugural Invictus Games in London 2014. A former army officer and architect he has worked on major events since being appointed Pageantmaster of the Lord Mayor’s Show in 1992. He was Executive Director of the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race, Director of the Royal Society’s 350th Anniversary Programme and worked on The Queen’s Golden Jubilee.
Operations Director: Richard Smith CBE
Richard served in the Army as a Brigadier having deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. He coordinated the contribution of 18,000 military personnel to the security of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. And he assisted in planning the security for the inaugural Invictus Games in London 2014. On leaving the Army in December 2015 he was appointed Director of Operations at the Stamford Endowed Schools before joining the Invictus Games Foundation full time in January 2019.
Finance Director: Carolyn Liddiard
Carolyn joined the Invictus Games Foundation team in early 2020, from Bunzl plc. A Chartered Accountant with 20 years experience in the finance sector, Carolyn will be leading on the finance strategy for the charity, supported by the Development team. In her spare time, Carolyn is a trustee for the South Hampstead Junior School Hardship Fund.
Commercial and Fundraising Director: Matt Collis
Joining Invictus Games Foundation from education charity Big Change in March 2021, Matt was initially a commercial banker at RBS, working through a variety of roles in the institution before joining the non-profit sector in 2012. He is experienced in developing and managing different commercial and philanthropic partnership approaches, having led a variety of teams for both domestic and international causes, including at charities Cancer Research UK, Young Enterprise and the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts.
Communications Director: Sam Newell
Sam was part of the communications team for the inaugural London 2014 Invictus Games. After the Games, he joined Step Up To Serve, the charity that coordinates the #iwill Campaign for youth social action. He remained a fan of the Games and briefly supported the communications team for the Invictus Games Toronto 2017 before joining the Invictus Games Foundation full time from September 2018.
International Development Director: David Wiseman
David joined the Invictus Games Foundation in 2020, following the transfer of the Endeavour Fund. He served in the British Army as an Infantryman with operational tours of both Iraq and Afghanistan during which he was wounded in action; shot in chest during a firefight in Helmand Province. This injury ended David’s career in the military but opened a new chapter in which he has dedicated his professional and much of his personal life to supporting other veterans. David was part of the original executive team for the inaugural Invictus Games in 2014, he was the UK Team Captain for the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 and is proud of winning a total 14 medals.
Grants and Programmes Director: Mickaela Richards
Mickaela joined the Royal Navy in 2006 as a Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineer). She saw service on HMS Portland and HMS Bulwark conducting anti-narcotics and anti-piracy operations. In 2011 Mickaela was involved in a car accident and was rehabilitated at Headley Court and Hasler Company. She competed in the Invictus Games London 2014, winning two gold and one silver medal. This role is part funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Digital Communications Manager: Paul Saunders
Paul joined the Invictus Games Foundation shortly before the Invictus Games The Hague 2020, which took place in April 2022. Following a role in digital communications with the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Games, Paul moved across to the Paralympics for the Tokyo 2020 Games, drawn to the power of adaptive sport, before joining the Invictus Games Foundation full time.
Invictus: Endeavours Programme Manager: Fiona Cranswick
Fiona joined the Invictus Games Foundation in 2022 to lead on the Invictus: Endeavours Grant Programme. Following injuries to her hips and spine while serving in the Royal Air Force, she went on to compete at the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 less than a year after emergency spinal surgery. At the Games she took home one gold and three silvers in swimming, but is now overseeing the delivery of sporting endeavours beyond the Games. This role is part funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.
Operations Executive: Caroline Davis
Caroline joined the team in October 2021, to support the operations team ahead of the Invictus Games The Hague 2020. Prior to joining, Caroline studied French and German at the University of Edinburgh which has proven useful in liaising with participating nations and future hosts. Her role is within the Inspire pillar, working alongside the Operations Director to help plan and execute the Games.
Invictus Community Liaison Officer: Josh Boggi
Following an IED explosion on his third tour of Afghanistan, Josh lost both his legs and his right arm, suffering nerve and spinal damage. Developing a love for cycling in his recovery, Josh took part in the Big Battlefield Bike Ride 2013, and went on to compete at the Invictus Games London 2014 and the Invictus Games Orlando 2016 bringing home medals in cycling and rowing. Josh’s role at the Foundation, funded by the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, is to develop international opportunities via the We Are Invictus app for fellow wounded, injured and sick service personnel and veterans to access in their recovery.