New Chair for the Invictus Games Foundation
The Invictus Games Foundation is delighted to announce a new Chair of its Board of Trustees, with the appointment of Lord Charles Allen of Kensington CBE.
Charles joined the board as a trustee in 2020, and following Sir Keith Mills standing down as Chair at the last board meeting after 6 years in the role, took up the Chair role with immediate effect in March 2021. Sir Keith has been instrumental in the Chair role leading the development of the Foundation following the inaugural Invictus Games London 2014, and will be staying on as trustee for another year to see the Invictus Games The Hague 2020 take place.
Lord Allen said “It’s been fascinating joining the Invictus Games Foundation at such a turbulent time during the pandemic and double-postponement of the Invictus Games The Hague. I’ve seen how the charity has pivoted its activities and provided new virtual opportunities for its international community and I’m excited to see what the future has to bring. One of my first jobs as Chair was negotiating the Netflix deal alongside Sir Keith, and I’m delighted that the documentary will be following the Foundation, Games Organisers and international competitors over the coming year.”
Sir Keith Mills added “I’ve had the pleasure of being at the helm of the Invictus Games Foundation ever since being asked by the Duke of Sussex to deliver his vision back in 2014 for the inaugural Invictus Games. Whilst I will no longer be acting as Chair, I look forward to lending my support to Lord Allen, the rest of the Board, and to the executive as trustee.”
Dominic Reid, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, added, “We are incredibly grateful for the guidance and leadership that Sir Keith has provided since the inception of the Foundation. His experience and extraordinary business acumen have enabled the charity to develop long-term partnerships that continue their support today. We look forward to working closely with Lord Allen as the Foundation expands its offering for its international community to activities beyond the Games, utilising the power of sport and adventurous challenge to further support recovery and improve lives.”
Sir Charles Allen’s business career ranges from media to hospitality, and played a key role in the creation of ITV. Currently he is Chairman of Global Media & Entertainment Group and ISS A/S and is also Advisory Chairman at Moelis & Company.
He was a former Chairman of Granada Media plc, Chief Executive of Granada Group plc and ITV plc and Chairman of EMI Music, Endemol and The British Red Cross. He has also served on the board of Tesco plc, Virgin Media and GET AS, and been Chief Adviser to the Home Office and a Senior Advisor to Goldman Sachs.
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. In 2013 Charles was given a peerage and sits on the Labour benches.
