International Headquarters

The Salvation Army's International Headquarters building in London

The Salvation Army's International Headquarters is based in London, UK.

Most correspondence or requests for help to The Salvation Army should be directed to the appropriate national or regional office.

Contact The Salvation Army in your country:

View full list

Contact International Headquarters (IHQ)

The Salvation Army
International Headquarters
101 Queen Victoria Street
London EC4V 4EH
UK

020 7332 0101 (within the UK)
+44 20 7332 0101 (international)

Visit Gallery 101 at IHQ
Visit Café 101 at IHQ

The mission of International Headquarters

International Headquarters exists to support the General as he/she leads The Salvation Army to accomplish its God-given worldwide mission to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and meet human needs in his name without discrimination.

In so doing, it assists the General:

  • To give spiritual leadership, promote the development of spiritual life within the Army, and emphasise the Army's reliance on God for the achievement of its mission.
  • To provide overall strategic leadership and set international policies.
  • To direct and administer the Army's operations and protect its interests - by means of appointments and delegation of authority and responsibility with accountability.
  • To empower and support the territories and commands, encourage and pastorally care for their leaders, and inspire local vision and initiatives.
  • To strengthen the internationalism of the Army, preserve its unity, purposes, beliefs and spirit, and maintain its standards.
  • To promote the development, appropriate deployment and international sharing of personnel.
  • To promote the development and sharing of financial resources worldwide, and manage the Army's international funds.
  • To promote the development and international sharing of knowledge, expertise and experience.
  • To develop the Army's ecumenical and other relationships.

In fulfilling its mission, International Headquarters seeks to achieve the highest standards of promptness, efficiency and service.

IHQ departments

Administration and Personnel Department

The Administration and Personnel Department is responsible for all matters with which the Chief of the Staff deals; for the effective administration of IHQ; for IHQ personnel; for international external relations; for providing legal advice; and for ensuring that the strategic planning and monitoring process is implemented and used effectively.

The department also facilitates the sharing and appropriate deployment of personnel resources on a global basis; assists in the identification of officers with potential for future leadership; monitors training and development; registers and coordinates all offers for international service.
 

Business Administration Department

The Business Administration Department is responsible for international accounting, auditing, banking, information technology, property and related matters. The International Secretary for Business Administration is responsible for the oversight of the business functions in territories and regions.

Programme Resources Department

The mission of the Programme Resources Department is to participate with others in envisioning, coordinating, facilitating and raising awareness of programmes that advance the global mission of The Salvation Army.

  • International Development Services
  • International Emergency Services
  • International Health Services
  • Youth and Children
  • Schools and Education
  • Literary and Editorial
  • International Literature Programme
     

Zonal Departments

The zonal departments are the main administrative link with territories. The international secretaries give oversight to and coordinate the Army's work in their respective geographical areas.

History of International Headquarters

The Christian Mission Headquarters, Whitechapel Road, became the Army's first International Headquarters in 1880. However, the Founder soon decided that a move into the City of London would be beneficial and in 1881 IHQ was moved to 101 Queen Victoria Street.

Sixty years after this move the IHQ building was destroyed by fire during the Second World War. The rebuilt headquarters was opened by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, in 1963.

In 2001, IHQ took up residence in the William Booth College (the officers' training college in South London) when it was decided to redevelop the site in Queen Victoria Street. The new building was opened by HRH The Princess Royal on 9 November 2004.

A runner carries the Olympic torch past IHQ
The Olympic torch passes the current IHQ building in 2012

The current building, designed by architect Andrew Chadwick, is a frugal building. This is best demonstrated by the fact that in selling a 150-year lease on the commercial property constructed on the rest of the site, the new IHQ has been built and equipped at almost no cost to The Salvation Army. The leasehold will even continue to generate funds which will go some way to funding the ongoing work of IHQ.

Transparency is a key element to the design, with the building's outer shell made mainly of glass - decorated with verses from the Bible. Members of the public are invited to enjoy food and mix with staff in Café 101, a friendly area where the human side of The Salvation Army becomes as clear as the building itself.