The Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust (WRNS BT) will operate as a wholly owned subsidiary charity of The Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC).
The RNRMC has a long-standing relationship with the WRNS BT and the two organisations are intertwined through shared values and collaborative working. Both organisations also have HRH The Princess Royal as their Patron.
A vote took place at the WRNS BT’s Extraordinary General Meeting on Wednesday,17th May 2023 in which WRNS members unanimously voted in favour of the proposal that the continued deliverance of benevolence to those eligible members of the WRNS BT would be best served by becoming a wholly owned subsidiary charity of the RNRMC.
Following the closure of the WRNS and integration into the Royal Navy on 1st November 1993, the number of potential beneficiaries (WRNS Members), is in decline. The move is part of the WRNS BT’s strategy to reduce running costs to ensure support can be delivered to the last remaining eligible beneficiaries – the youngest of whom are expected to live for another 40 to 50 years.
The day-to-day management, benevolence, and back-office functions of the Trust will migrate across to the RNRMC. The aim is to be fully transitioned by January 2024.
The subsidiary charity will keep the name the Women’s Royal Naval Service Benevolent Trust and have its own Trustee Board which will continue to comprise of former members of the WRNS but will include a representative from the RNRMC.
Heather Rimmer, Chairman of the WRNS BT, said: “ I am delighted that our members have whole heartedly endorsed our proposal, as our Board of Trustees has worked extremely hard over the last 2 years to come up with the proposal. Our new relationship with the RNRMC will secure the future benevolence of the Trust and ensure business as usual."
Andrew Jameson, Chief Executive of the RNRMC, said: “I am absolutely thrilled the WRNS BT have decided to strengthen the relationship with the RNRMC. By doing so, I have no doubt the Central Committee of the WRNS BT will be able to continue the wonderful support for WRNS members; and as the new charity partner, the RNRMC is also determined to honour the service of WRNS for many years to come.”
