Dennis Mardon

Chairman
Became a trustee in: July 2004 and Chair in October 2004

The satisfaction in being a trustee of Citizens Advice Exeter is the knowledge that you are involved in making a real difference to so many individuals and families. This is due to the incredible commitment of everyone involved with the charity: trustees, paid staff and volunteers. I have never known or worked in an organisation where everyone has such a united passion for success.

I worked in Local Government for 36 years gaining experience in Financial Management of Social Services with Dorset County Council; Accountancy, Housing, Revenues and Housing Benefits with Caradon District Council in Cornwall and with Exeter City Council. During this time I was an Advisor to various Government Departments and Local Authority Associations and Chairman of several Local Authority/Government Department Committees as well as a Chairman of various multi-agency committees including a Benefit Fraud detection programme and several national IT developments. I also undertook lecturing and training for the staff of authorities throughout the South West.

Prior to retiring from Local Government, I was involved in several voluntary roles including being a Town Councillor for Crediton Town Council and Treasurer/Trustee of the highly successful Crediton Swimming Pool Fund Committee.

After taking early retirement in 2005 I did some consultancy work including with a Local Authority and a large infrastructure charity. I also wanted to “give something back to society” and accepted an invitation to become a Trustee with the Citizens Advice Exeter as my previous work had shown me that it was a high quality and efficient provider of free support to the disadvantaged in Exeter and its surrounding area. I accepted the position of Chair in October 2004 and during this time had the pleasure of hosting visits by Her Royal Highness, the Princess Royal on two occasions as well as receiving the Queens Award for Voluntary Service on behalf of the Charity.

I have also been Treasurer and a Trustee of Citizens Advice Devon, a partnership of all Citizens Advice services in Devon, which aims to ensure that the service continues to deliver free quality advice and support across the County by working to attract County wide funding for projects which are sub-contracted to Citizens Advice and providing a support mechanism to all. I am currently Treasurer and a Trustee of the Crediton Heart Project, a charity aimed at supporting local communities in the wider Crediton area including the provision of space for the arts, start-up business and other activities for all ages.

I have been married since 1974, and have three daughters, eight grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. I enjoy walking, cycling, gardening and sport.