Michael Hammond CBE Treasurer Expand Mike has worked his entire career in the civil service holding posts in both the Foreign & Commonwealth Office and the Department for International Development (DFID). He has led six DFID country offices (including Afghanistan, South Africa and Rwanda) during which time he co-authored the report which launched the concept of country offices which is now seen as a model for development delivery. He brings a strong set of skills to the CSRF's Board that include a procedural knowledge of development processes including audit, evaluation and accounting requirements. Mike has a family connection with the CSRF as his late mother was involved with both the CSRF's Gravesend Branch and Bexhill & Hastings group. He was awarded the CBE in 2017 for services to International Development and was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2019 after being nominated by the Cabinet Office.
Michelle Wyer Vice Chairman Expand Michelle was a teacher before entering government service in 1990. She worked in a number of roles within Inland Revenue and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) during her civil service career. She is a Past President of ARC (Association of Revenue & Customs) was Private Secretary to the Chairman of HMRC and has served as Chair of HMRC’s Senior Women’s Network and Enforcement & Compliance Women’s Network. She is currently the Chair of Governors for her local primary school and was appointed to the post of Vice Chair in December 2019 following endorsement of her nomination by the National Trade Union Committee and took up the role of Vice Chair from 1st January 2020.
Madeleine Alessandri CMG Chairman Expand Madeleine Alessandri is the Permanent Secretary for the Northern Ireland Office. Previously she was the UK Deputy National Security Advisor and Prime Minister’s Adviser on National Resilience and Security. She joined government service in 1988 and has held a wide variety of positions in the Diplomatic Service and in National Security in the UK and overseas. She was appointed to the post of Chair in November 2019 following nomination by the Cabinet Office and took over with effect from 1st January 2020.
Patrick Gallagher Associate Director Expand Patrick Gallagher was a member of the Northern Ireland Civil Service Fast Stream Programme and has worked in various Northern Ireland Civil Service departments including the Department of Finance in Belfast. He is currently working in the Northern Ireland Executive Office. He is also an active volunteer on our National Visitors Network. Patrick joined the Board in November 2016 and is on his second three year term as a Director. Patrick chairs the Digital Review Group, a working group created by the Board of Directors to explore and promote greater understanding of the use of digital technology within the organisation.
Anne Guess Elected Director Expand Anne joined the CSRF in 2002 and has held a variety of committee roles within the former Bedfordshire branch area. Currently she is Treasurer of the Dunstable & Leighton Buzzard group. Anne's Civil Service Career was in the MOD where she worked from 1974 until her retirement in December 2002. She was initially employed as an AO involved in the accounting and book keeping of the non Public Funds at RAF Stanbridge. Anne was elected to the Board of Directors at the CSRF's Annual General Meeting in July 2018. She also currently sits as a Member of the Board's Working group on engagement with our Local Group Network. She was recently re-elected to the Board at the 2021 Annual General Meeting and will serve just one year before standing down following the approval of changes to the Board Structure passed by Emergency Special Resolution.
Liz Beedie Elected Director Expand Liz joined the CSRF when she retired and has been a member for over 20 years. For the great majority of her time she has served as a Group Secretary and Chairman for a number of the Fellowship's groups in the Edinburgh area. Liz's Civil Service career was within the Department for Social Security where she achieved the principal grade before retiring. During her time in the service she had experience of personnel and I.T. work. Liz was elected to the Board of Directors at the CSRF's Annual General Meeting in July 2018 and currently sits as a Member of the Board's Working group on engagement with our local Group Network. Liz was re-elected for a second three year term of office at the 2021 Annual General Meeting where she topped the postal ballot. She will also be joining the newly formed Research Advisory Group (which was created by the Board of Directors to undertake some research into later life trends and opinions).
Dame Elizabeth Gardiner DCB, QC (Hon) CSRF Civil Service Champion/Director Expand Dame Elizabeth has been the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship's Champion within the Civil Service since 2019 and has regularly attended Board meetings as an observer. Her role of Civil Service Champion was made a Director's post following a unanimous vote of approval on an Emergency Special Resolution put forward at the 2021 Annual General Meeting. She has served as the First Parliamentary Counsel since November 2015 and was appointed Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the 2013 Birthday Honours and Dame Commander of the Order of the Bath (DCB) in the 2021 Birthday Honours for services to government and the legislative process. She was also appointed an Honorary Queen's Counsel in 2020.
Robert McIntyre Elected Director Expand Robert McIntyre has been a member of the CSRF for over 10 years joining following a career in the Civil Service that included a stint as a Social Survey interviewer for the Office of National Statistics. He has been an active member of our befriending services since they launched working as both a Phone Buddy and a National Visitors Network befriender across the central belt of Scotland. He has career experience in many areas of administration, an ability to think creatively and is used to speaking his mind. He was keen to join the Board to help support its work to secure the future of the CSRF. His candidacy was endorsed by the Sleaford & Ancaster group and he was elected to the Board of Directors at the 2021 Annual General Meeting polling second in the postal ballot.