Royal British Veterans Enterprise
Royal British Veterans Enterprise | |
 | |
| Abbreviation | RBVE |
|---|---|
| Formation | September 1919 |
| Type | Ex-service organisation |
| Registration no. | 210063 / SC048795 |
| Legal status | Charity |
| Purpose | Supporting members of the Armed Forces Community through inclusive housing, employment, and care. |
| Headquarters | Aylesford, Kent |
Region served | UK |
Chief Executive Officer | Lisa Farmer, OBE |
Patron | Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Kent |
| Subsidiaries | Britain's Bravest Manufacturing Company (BBMC)
Scotland's Bravest Manufacturing Company (SBMC) Lifeworks |
| Website | https://rbve.org.uk/ |
Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE) is a charity based in Aylesford, Kent, England that helps Armed Forces veterans, disabled people and people who are unemployed. It runs a social enterprise, Britain's Bravest Manufacturing Company,[1] and a UK-wide employment support programme for Armed Forces veterans, Lifeworks.[2][3]
RBVE (charity number 210063) is a separate charity from The Royal British Legion (charity number 219279).
History
RBVE was established in 1919 to support WW1 Armed Forces veterans fighting tuberculosis. First known as Industrial Settlements Inc, the charity was originally run from Preston Hall in Aylesford.[4]
In 2013 the charity won Charity of the Year at the Charity Times Awards.[5]
In 2016, they relaunched their social enterprise, naming it Britain's Bravest Manufacturing Company.[6]
In 2017, they opened 24 new apartments for wounded, injured and homeless veterans.[7]
In 2019, On 6 November 2019 Queen Elizabeth II officially opened the new Appleton Lodge care facility and visited the Centenary Village housing project.[8]
In 2022, RBVE were selected as part of the Telegraph's Christmas charity Appeal. One of four chosen charities supported in the appeal.[9]
The charity changed its name from Royal British Legion Industries (RBLI) to Royal British Veterans Enterprise (RBVE) in November 2025.[10]
References
- ↑ "Veteran enterprise lands rail signage contract". Kent Online. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
- ↑ Sherry, Steve (2016-10-31). "My work with military veterans shows how Britain can help disabled people find work". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
- ↑ "About | LifeWorks". www.wearelifeworks.org.uk. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
- ↑ "Preston Hall History". Weston Homes Plc. 25 January 2015. Retrieved 3 December 2017.
- ↑ "RBLI takes top award - Army&You". Army&You. 2013-10-23. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
- ↑ "Royal British Legion Industries' social enterprise manufacturing division launches as Britain's Bravest Manufacturing Company - Cobseo". Cobseo. 2016-04-25. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
- ↑ "Defence Secretary Sir Michael Fallon opens new RBLI apartments | Charity Today News". Charity Today News. 2017-09-15. Retrieved 2017-10-26.
- ↑ "Our History | RBLI". 2019-12-05. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ↑ Gibson, Fiona (2022-11-05). "Christmas Charity Appeal 2022: Our four chosen charities face great challenges – we need your help". The Telegraph. ISSN 0307-1235. Retrieved 2023-04-03.
- ↑ "RBLI becomes RBVE - Royal British Veterans Enterprise". rbve.org.uk. 2026-03-24. Retrieved 2026-04-20.