President
General Sir James Everard KCB CBE
General Sir James Everard KCB CBE took over the role of President of the Army Benevolent Fund in April 2020 after a long and successful career in the Army. Commissioned into the 17th/21st Lancers in 1983, he subsequently commanded at every level in the Army – including the Queen’s Royal Lancers, 20th Armoured Brigade, 3rd (UK) Division and as Commander UK Field Army. He also served in the UK Permanent Joint Headquarters in Northwood, in the Pentagon and Ministry of Defence, as the 2* Assistant Chief of the General Staff and later as the 3* Deputy Chief of the Defence Staff for Military Strategy & Operations. During his career he served in Germany, Cyprus, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Canada, Kosovo, Iraq and Belgium. His final appointment was as the Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe in Allied Command Operations NATO.
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Sarah Booth
Sarah was General Counsel and Company Secretary of Hammerson plc, a listed retail real estate company, for 10 years until she retired in 2020. She is an experienced senior advisor working with boards and has during her career sat on the executive committee as chief legal advisor at Christian Salvesen PLC, Damovo SA and Sodexo UK. She has managed corporate development, legal, governance, procurement and treasury teams, and continues to support and mentor. Sarah joined the Board of Trustees in July 2020 and became the Chair of the Board of Trustees in April 2025.
Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
Trustees
Major General Jo Chestnutt CBE
Major General Jo Chestnutt CBE assumed the appointment as Director Personnel in January 2026 and remains in the role of Master General of Logistics having assumed appointment in April 2024.
He has served operationally in Europe, the Middle East and Africa. He was the Deputy Chief of Staff of the Field Army, the Head of Defences’ Supply Chain, Operations and Movements (DSCOM) Team, commanded 104 Theatre Support Brigade, 17 Port and Maritime Regiment and a close support logistic squadron. His staff appointments have included: Head of Capability Plans in the Ministry of Defences’ Finance, Military and Capability Branch; the Chief of a discrete Middle Eastern Strategic Influence and Information Operations Team; and a dedicated
planner in the Core Army 2020 Design Team.
He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (1st Class), a Master’s Degree (Distinction) and a Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Project Management. He received a CBE in HM The Queen’s last Birthday Honours list.
Warrant Officer Class One (Army Sergeant Major) John Miller
Warrant Officer (Class One) Miller joined the Royal Corps of Signals in 1999. He was Regimental Sergeant Major of 16 Air Assault Brigade Headquarters and Signal Squadron
(216) before commissioning in 2021. He has held senior soldier positions at every echelon of the Army. His experience spans both Field Army formations and instructional roles within Standing Joint Command.
Operationally, he has deployed to multiple theatres, including the Balkans, Iraq, and multiple tours in Afghanistan. Since April 2021, he has been the Command Sergeant Major of 1st (United Kingdom) Division and subsequently the Field Army. During this time, he supported the introduction of ‘How We Fight 26’, the modernisation and lethality transformation plan, and the Army’s response to the people challenges of recruitment, retention, and culture. On completion of the Intermediate Command and Staff Course (Land) in March 2025, Warrant Officer (Class One) Miller was appointed as the Army Sergeant Major.
Image credit to Soldier Magazine
Chief Executive
Major General Tim Hyams CB OBE
The Chief Executive is the senior executive director of the Charity, operating with the authority delegated to him by the Board of Trustees, to enable accountable, effective and efficient leadership and management of the Army Benevolent Fund. He is responsible for advising the Board when it is determining its policies and priorities and for ensuring that these policies and priorities are implemented effectively.