Standing L to R : Air Marshal Sir Baz North, Senior President OABF, Mr Brian Fairclough, Trustee OABF Seated: Mr Alex Spofforth, Chairman OABF, Mr Mike Goldthorpe, CEO RNOC

Following the announcement of the closure of the Officers’ Association Benevolent Fund (OABF), the Royal Navy Officers’ Charity (RNOC) will take responsibility for all OABF Royal Navy beneficiaries.

The OABF, a charity serving former commissioned officers and families of the Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force, has long provided vital support to relieve hardship among former officers, their families, and dependants. RNOC, a Royal Naval charity, provides benevolence to those in need from both serving and retired officers of the Naval Service (RN, RM and QARNNS), and their families. RNOC will take responsibility for former Royal Navy officers and families currently supported by the OABF. The Board of Trustees and CEOs of the respective charities formally agreed the transfer of beneficiaries and a donation to help support ongoing needs.

RNOC will take responsibility from the beginning of July 2025. Mike Goldthorpe, CEO of the RNOC, said:

“The RNOC Trustees are very pleased to have been chosen for this important task. After many decades of collaboration with the OABF to support our beneficiaries, we will now focus on a seamless transition for those affected by this change”.

Lee Holloway, CEO of the OABF, said:

“Our focus has been supporting OABF’s beneficiaries over many years and with closing, ensuring our beneficiaries continue to receive the best support. We are very appreciative of RNOC taking up the mantle to continue to provide care and support to our Royal Naval families”.