The Special Forces Club (SFC) is a private social club located at 8 Herbert Crescent, Knightsbridge, London. There is no sign outside the building to indciate the club's presence.
The SFC was founded in 1945 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 for members of kindred Allied organisations. 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 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 discreet 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.
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. In recent years the Club has organised a major dinner celebrating the 70th Anniversary of the SOE at the Imperial War Museum along with a joint fund raising event with the FANY on HMS Belfast, both attended by The Princess Royal.
The current chairman is Adrian Stones, who took over from Nigel Churton in April 2010. The Patron is The Princess Royal who took over from Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother.
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