The 'Special Forces Club' (SFC) was founded in 1946 by surviving members of the Special Operations Executive(SOE). The Club was intended by its founders to be a meeting place for both those who had served in the SOE, and members of kindred Allied organisations,both British and Allied. This tradition has continued, with an especially close relationship with the US wartime counterpart of SOE, the Office of Strategic Services (OSS); Australia, Canada and New Zealand; along with European 'Resistance' organisations, especially those in Denmark ,France, Netherlands and Norway. The Club is located in Knightsbridge, but there is no signage to show the club's name on the outside of the building.
The Club has ensured that its membership continues to be drawn from the intelligence and security communities, both military and civilian, along with others whose work reflects the ethos of the Club such as bomb disposal experts and police from specialised counter-terrorist units. Great stress is placed on the personal qualities of applicants along with their technical qualifications to ensure that the Club maintains its reputation as one of the most discrete locations in London.The link with the founders is maintained through those with a direct family link to SOE members, who also qualify for Club membership. A very select number of journalists and authors have been admitted, including Rupert Allason and Frederick Forsyth. Current membership includes a number of holders of the Victoria Cross, George Cross and George Medal.
Unlike many other Clubs that were open only to men and officers, the SFC has always welcomed all ranks and women, reflecting the membership and spirit of the SOE.
In 2007, the club was the subject allegations of fraud and impropriety by some in the press; none of these were ever proved. That said, in recent years the Club has undergone a radical transformation in terms of its business practices to ensure its efficient administration. The Club now has a very active programme of guest prominent speakers and events, and its finances are on a sound footing.
A website may be accessed at http://www.sfc.org. The current chairman is Adrian Stones, who took over from Nigel Churton (MBE) in April 2010. The Patron is The Princess Royal who took over from the Queen Mother on the latters death.
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