The CSRF Community

Richard has been a Life Member of the CSRF since 2013, joining before he retired from the Foreign & Commonwealth Office in 2022. Since retiring he has become an active Volunteer befriender on the CSRF’s befriending schemes.

Fred has been a member of the Fellowship since he retired at the end of 2011.  He spent his entire 43 years civil service career in HM Revenue & Taxes (formerly the Inland Revenue) where he worked, throughout, one way or another, on capital taxes. He has had extensive experience in understanding, analysing and interpreting business and company accounts (making valuations of unquoted shares and other business assets). He also has a legal background that concentrated on fiscal, contract and company law which provides him with an ability to understand wider legal matters, including the requirements of charity law. 

During retirement Fred volunteered to become treasurer of the Nottinghamshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE) and went on to become its Chair for eight years. As Treasurer of CPRE Nottinghamshire he was personally responsible for the charity’s bookkeeping and production of annual accounts.

Fred is an active member of the CSRF’s book clubs which has given him the opportunity to meet a very interesting group of former civil servants interested in literature. He was appointed to the Board of Directors as National Treasurer in 2025.

Catharine (Cat) is a current in-person befriender and has been involved with CSRF befriending since 2023.  Between 2018-2024 she worked in various central civil service departments, including the Department for Education, Cabinet Office, Home Office, and 3 years at Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). She is now completing my public health specialty training within NHS England, working in local, regional and national government placements. Cat was elected to the Board of Directors in 2025.

James joined the Cabinet Office as Director of Communications in June 2024 – he is responsible for the Cabinet Office Press Office, the National Security Communications Team, the Cabinet Office Internal Comms team and the Cross Civil Service Communications team. Prior to that he was Director of Communications at the National Cyber Security Centre and Head of News at the Department for Transport. Before joining the civil service, James worked in politics, latterly as spokesperson for Ed Miliband when he was Leader of the Opposition. During his career, James has also worked in several communications consultancies. James is the CSRF’s Civil Service Champion and a member of the Board of Directors.

Ian joined the Civil Service in 1980, partially retired in 2021 and will fully retire in early 2026. He has worked in the Rural Payments Agency, its predecessor the Intervention Board and in Defra. A significant part of his time was spent working on a variety of EU agricultural support arrangements but in more recent years he has worked in enabling and supporting roles.

Les has nearly 40 years’ experience across four government departments in a variety of roles including 20 years with Custom & Excise and twelve years with the Ministry of Defence including two overseas deployments before retiring in 2019. Previous volunteering experience includes Special Constable, Parish Councillor, Village Hall Committee, local Parent Teacher’s Association, local Cub Scout Leader and Chair of the Northamptonshire group for Crohns and Colitis UK. Since retiring in 2019 he has been volunteering as a Home Visitor for the Blind Veterans Charity and as Quizmaster for a telephone quiz for members based in the Northamptonshire/North Oxfordshire area.

Hobbies include sketching & watercolour painting, gardening, DIY and local/military history. I have also been a Season Ticket Holder with Northampton Saints Rugby Club for at least twenty years and since retiring he has also undertaken an MSc in Genealogy, Heraldry and Palaeography qualifying as a Genealogist/Family History Researcher.

He became a trustee to help support other retired civil servants or those coming up for retirement to adjust/transition to a new role in life and would like to continue his befriending role and help with workshops, local groups etc.

David is our Chief Executive and Company Secretary. He has worked for the CSRF for 18 years joining first as Editor of the Fellowship’s magazine avanti before taking over as Head of Communications.

He was promoted to the post of Deputy Chief Executive in 2014 and was made Chief Executive in 2016. Before joining the CSRF he worked as an Editor-in-Chief in magazine publishing for over 12 years with business clients including London City Airport, Harrods Estates and Champneys.

He is responsible for overseeing all the CSRF’s operational activities including engagement with our groups, volunteers, communications & partnerships, providing secretariat support to the Board of Directors, HR and Finance.

David also holds the role of Company Secretary which involves organising our Annual General Meetings, liaison with Company Members and taking the minutes at Board meetings. He has also been an active volunteer befriender on both the CSRF’s befriending schemes and he edits the Fellowship’s newsletter, Fellowship News.

He is also sits on the Board’s Working Group for Digital Development and Chairs the Group Leaders’ Network (a forum for the volunteers who lead the CSRF’s local community groups).

Outside of work David volunteers with other charities (he is a Trustee for AgeUK West Sussex, Brighton & Hove). He also enjoys reading (he co-ordinates the CSRF’s book club), art, culture & museums, history, politics, movies and writing. When he is able to find the time, he also enjoys travel and working on an idea for a novel.

Denise is our Deputy Chief Executive and has oversight of Fellowship Office as well as being responsible for our befriending schemes. She has worked in the arena of later life issues for many years as an Information Officer for Age UK Hammersmith & Fulham. Denise has also served as a local politician in North London serving as a Ward Councillor in Edmonton and Bush Hill Park. More recently she has begun a broadcasting career and presents a weekly broadcast called ‘Headley Highlight’ which she is developing into a popular bulletin covering topical issues. When not working she enjoys discovering new places and festivals around the UK. Denise works part-time and is in Fellowship Office on Tuesdays and works from home on  Wednesdays and  Thursdays. She attends CSRF Board meetings and sits on the Befriending Services and Digital Development Working Groups.

Levent Benze brings a wealth of leadership, educational expertise, and public-facing service experience to the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship. With a career spanning executive leadership, educational management, and operations, Levent has spent years coaching, supporting, and empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to achieve positive outcomes.

Having served as a Headteacher and Centre Director, as well as founding a successful staffing and training business, Levent brings proven expertise in managing complex stakeholder relationships, delivering tailored support, and driving operational excellence. Holding qualifications in HR Management and Teacher Training, Levent’s work is grounded in empathy, evidence-based decision-making, and a strong commitment to safeguarding and community support.

Levent works part-time and is in Fellowship Office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Jean is our Fellowship Office volunteer. She helps in the office maintaining and updating records and working on our befriending schemes, including quality control by telephone.

She has been volunteering for the CSRF for over 10 years, starting before she retired from the Civil Service.

Jean is an enthusiastic member of the CSRF Book Club and participates in our Zoom Book Groups, once ironed quilts in a quilt factory for a month and is now trying to get to grips with her new tablet.
Jean visits Fellowship Office on an ‘ad-hoc’ basis but also sits on the CSRF’s Diamond Anniversary Planning Committee for 2025.

Benedite is our Marketing & Communication Support Officer, bringing over five years of experience in public relations across a variety of sectors. A background in PR and Journalism, she has a keen understanding of the media landscape and newsjacking opportunities.

Her strengths lie in social media management, press relations, and crafting communications. Benedite enjoys connecting with audiences and enhancing brand presence across channels.

Outside of work, she enjoys brunch, catching up on her favorite TV shows, and a relaxing spa getaway.