New National Director appointment

Ben Lillie appointed as the new National Director of Christian Surfers UK.

Christian Surfers UK (CSUK) is delighted to announce that, following a competitive national recruitment process, Revd Ben Lillie has been appointed as the new National Director of CSUK. Ben will succeed our Founding National Director, Phil Williams who steps down on 1 August 2025. Phil, supported by his wife Annie and family, has faithfully and successfully led CSUK for 32 years. 

Ben commences his position on the 1 May 2025 and will be officially commissioned at the CSUK National Gathering on 22 June 2025. Phil will continue his work within Christian Surfers Europe with an additional focus on his passions; para surfing, wave pools and other inland surfing locations. 

The Revd Ben Lillie:  Husband, father, committed cold water surfer, longboard practitioner and belly-board slider. Ocean dweller, salty theology expounder, competent carpenter, climate justice activator, intentional disrupter. Not particularly reverend, falteringly holy, but wholly loved and cherished by Jesus to whom I give my all in response. Totally flawed, completely fallible, frequently foolish, utterly human and humbled by Gods grace and mercy.

Ben Lillie said, “I can’t put into words how excited I am to be the next National Director of CSUK. Nor are there words to express the honour and gratitude due to Phil Williams for his extraordinary service to Christian Surfers. I look forward to all that God is doing in and through the mission of Christian Surfers. We have this incredible privilege to walk alongside Jesus in our daily mission as we share his hope, love, restoration and goodness with fellow ocean dwellers and wave seekers. Yeeeew!”

Phil Williams added, “I am absolutely thrilled at the appointment of Ben to take over from myself, I want to thank Rob and the team for the way they have planned and executed the recruitment of this key position for the organisation. I know Ben will be a great National Director, using his vast skills that he has picked up over his years in ministry and indeed running other charities. I look forward to working alongside him in my role as heading up Christian Surfers Europe. The future is bright!”

Rob Crouch, Chair of the CSUK Board of Trustees said, “We are delighted to welcome Ben as our National Director. Ben takes up this role at an exciting time for CSUK as we begin to enact our vision for 2035. We had a wide range of talented applicants for the role. Ben’s wealth of varied and highly relevant experience from the commercial, charity and Christian Faith sectors was evident, but most importantly his calling to serve CSUK in this capacity as National Director. It was clear during the interview process that Ben loves Jesus, surfing and the surfing community and has a real passion for the heart of our CS Mission. I am very much looking forward to working with Ben and the rest of the team over the next few years.”

With thanks to Andy Holter for the imagery.