Warburton comes on board alongside former Ireland international Fergus Slattery – a Lions tourist in 1971 and 1974 – who is Chairman.
England’s 2003 World Cup winner Richard Hill and Scotland and Lions legend Gavin Hastings are also involved.
Established in 2002, the Lions Charitable Trust focuses on providing financial support for the home unions’ funds for injured players and offering assistance to Lions who may have fallen on hard times.
Warburton won the first of his 74 caps for Wales in 2009 and went on to skipper his country 49 times in a stunning nine-year international career.
At the age of 24, Warburton was made the youngest ever Lions captain for the victorious 2013 tour to Australia. He also led the Lions again four years later in New Zealand as the sides drew 1-1.
Warburton said: “I am thrilled to be joining the Lions Charitable Trust at an incredibly exciting time for the charity and help lead it on the next stage of its development.
“The work of the Trust is incredibly important in providing help to support former Lions in hardship.
“I look forward to working with the other Trustees and Lions staff to build on the excellent work that has already been carried out to date.”
Shane Whelan, Secretary of the Lions Charitable Trust, said: “We are delighted to appoint Fergus Slattery as Chairman and such an esteemed cohort of Trustees.
“Their knowledge and network, which spans four generations of Lions, will be an exceptional asset as we develop the Trust and ensure it is in the best possible position to support worthy causes and former Lions in times of crisis.”
Slattery added: “I am honoured to have been selected to join the new Board and to take on the role of Chairman. The Trust is at an important point in its development and has a great opportunity to build its influence in the world of rugby.
“I am excited to work alongside my fellow trustees and to be supporting the organisation and its vital work.”
