Trustees & Senior Management Team

David Tickner is Chief Executive of the Civil Service Retirement Fellowship, where he has led the organisation since 2016.

He is responsible for strategic planning, communications, fundraising, and ensuring the charity supports retired civil servants through befriending schemes and community engagement. Under his leadership, the Fellowship has raised significant funds, rebranded its services, and enhanced its digital presence.

Before becoming CEO, David served as Deputy Chief Executive and Head of Communications at the same organisation. Earlier in his career, he worked as Managing Director of Wild Publishing and Editor-in-Chief at CBC Media, building a foundation in editorial leadership and communications working with corporate clients including London City Airport, Harrods Estates and Champneys.

David’s strong commitment to older people and tackling loneliness has shaped his approach to leadership. He has contributed to national conversations about later life issues, including through articles in the Guardian and Civil Service World Magazine. He believes in the value and dignity of every person, regardless of age, and has dedicated much of his work to combating isolation in older age.

Outside of work, David has undertaken various voluntary roles including communications mentor, editorial advisor and he runs his organisation’s book groups. He has lived in Brighton and currently lives in West Sussex, where when not working he is focused on research for his first novel.

I am a Court of Protection solicitor with almost a decade of experience supporting vulnerable individuals in the management of their financial and property affairs. My practice is centred around advocating for those who cannot advocate for themselves, often working closely with families, social services, medical professionals, and external agencies to ensure that clients receive the care, access, and dignity they deserve. I am deeply committed to safeguarding the rights of individuals who lack capacity, and I fight to ensure their voices are heard; particularly in complex, sensitive, or contested matters.

Outside of my legal practice, I am a mentor with the Pregnant Then Screwed programme, supporting women facing workplace discrimination. I also write a professional blog, The Lawyerist, to demystify Court of Protection law and share sector insights. When not working, I enjoy gardening, reading, and spending time by the coast.

I became a trustee of Age UK West Sussex, Brighton and Hove because I believe passionately in protecting the dignity and rights of older people. I’m particularly interested in issues around financial vulnerability, safeguarding, and capacity. My legal background allows me to support the charity’s governance and strategy, and I’m proud to contribute to an organisation that delivers practical, compassionate support to those who need it most.

Stephen Mardlin MBE served in the Royal Navy for 33 years as a logistics officer where he had a very varied career including operational tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, global deployments, Command of HMS ROOKE in Gibraltar, secondment to Department of Health & Social Care for Covid and the Home Office for EU Exit planning, delivery of large change programmes and finally as the Deputy Commander of the Maritime Reserve.

He has been the Hospital Director for Worthing & Southlands Hospitals for over 2 years before moving to his current role as Director of Efficiency & Productivity for University Hospitals Sussex. He has been on the committee for military and civilian sporting associations for over 25 years including Chairing 5 of them.

He is currently the Chair for a fishing club that has many volunteers filling a wide range of roles where his focus is on providing an environment where people want to spend time together, whether fishing or not. Stephen has a keen interest in supporting aging well through good nutrition, companionship and exercise informed and influenced by the experiences and outcomes he sees for patients within his hospitals.

I am a qualified accountant as well as holding an MBA from the University of Sussex. I have worked in the not-for-profit sector for over 15 years and am currently working as the Director of Finance & Governance at the Institution of Occupational Safety & Health which is a registered charity committed to a safe and healthy world of work.

Although my background is in finance my senior leadership roles have been cross cutting across the organisations, I have worked in leading to me managing many non- financial activities. I enjoy challenge and working as part of a team to achieve good outcomes.

Outside of work I enjoy running and generally being outdoors as well as activities such as going to the theatre and the cinema. I am a member of a book club and enjoy reading books chosen by others that wouldn’t necessarily have been on my radar. I am a trustee so I can bring the skills and experience I have gained to help others.

Jilly has 45+ years’ experience of running organisations, providing strategic consultancy and communications direction to change-makers.

Previously on the main Board of The Body Shop, responsible for brand, marketing and communications, and a founding Director of The Big Issue, Jilly founded Forster Communications in 1996 to provide specialist PR services and communications consultancy to organisations focused on tackling climate change and driving social justice. She has consistently aimed to use the power of communication, collaboration and creativity to help solve social problems, change behaviour and improve lives.

Jilly has been on the Trustee Boards of The International Longevity Centre think-tank, The Jamie Oliver Food Foundation, The Forgiveness Project, The Royal Parks Foundation and Children on The Edge.

Through her work experience and as a carer for parents with dementia, Jilly has a realistic grasp of the needs, challenges and opportunities older people, particularly the most vulnerable, face. Living near Chichester and no longer in paid work, Jilly has no intention of ‘retiring’ and now aims to channel energies into helping drive real change in how we approach and view ageing in our society.

Sarah writes: "I have over 25 years working as a senior manager across public, education and charity sectors supporting business and economic development, regeneration, and skills development. Having studied archaeology as an undergraduate I have a fascination with archaeology and history, as well as education, and how we can learn from our past to support our future. I am a trustee so I can use the skills and experience gained in the not for profit sector which underpins and drives the catalyst for change across much needed services."

Jon worked in Social Housing for many years becoming Chief Executive of Town and Country Housing Group and Interim Chief Executive of Westward Homes. During this time Jon was responsible for many sheltered housing schemes for the elderly.

Jon then changed direction and worked internationally for several charities and for 8 years as Chief Executive of World Child Cancer, until his retirement.

While working internationally Jon kept a connection to housing as Chair of Gateway Housing, who owned and managed 2 care homes for the elderly. Currently Jon is Chair of the Single Homeless Project in London and board member of Turning Tides in West Sussex.

On retiring he returned to Brighton to live and is very keen to contribute to the community in Sussex and hence was keen to join the Board of Age UK locally.

Former Chief Executive of Brighton and Hove City Council, former Chair of West Sussex NHS Partnership Trust, Former Chair of the then Brighton and Sussex Universities NHS Trust, former Chair of The Hanover Band, Friends of Brighton and Hove Hospitals, Chair of the West Pier Trust, former Chair of the shadow Board of Brighton Pavilion and Museums Trust, former Member of the Home Office Senior Appointments Board , former Lead Member of the former Audit Commission Review Panel, former Deputy Chair of the Brighton Festival and Dome Trust.