Meet the Board of Trustees

Our Board of Trustees are responsible for our leadership and governance. They are all volunteers and oversee the governance of our organisation i.e. making sure we are operating in line with the expectations of our regulators and funders. They support the CEO and management team in the development of our vision and strategic direction. The trustees have a wealth of experience and expertise in lots of different sectors.

Trustees Biographies

Jon Crockett – Chair of Trustee Board

I have spent my life, professionally and as a volunteer working to improve the life chances of all in our communities especially those in the disadvantaged areas of the West Midlands where we work.

Having retired from a successful career in Public Service, including 25 years spent in the NHS and 15 years as CEO of the NHS in Wolverhampton  I have continued to work actively in board and governance roles across a wide range of organisations including Housing, Further and Higher education as well as organisations across the Third Sector

I am a qualified accountant and was president of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy for the Midlands and a regional council member for over fifteen years.

I have lived and worked all my life in and around the Black Country and am proud of our heritage and passionate about making a difference for our people and communities.

Steve Handscomb – Vice Chair of the Trustee Board

I have been very lucky in life to have had a good education and career so feel that I want to give something back to people in the community who are not as fortunate as me using the skills and abilities I have.

I am Commercial Director of a business that makes environmentally friendly cement products and my background  has been in technical and commercial roles in the cement and concrete industry.

My hobbies include watching rugby, walking , working on time pieces, reading,  watching films and spending time with my family.

Bernard Cysewski – Trustee

I’ve been involved with Citizens Advice for over 20 years firstly as a volunteer generalist adviser, advice session supervisor and now as trustee. I’ve always believed you only get out of an organisation what you put in. Being passionate about helping people has always been my driver in life and I’m proud to be associated with this organisation and upholding its ethos.

I have recently retired from a demanding job helping lead a large housing & welfare team at Walsall council dealing with homelessness and supporting people overcome multiple crises. I’m also a trustee and vice chair for South Staffs Water Charitable Trust and was previously an active member of the water consumer challenge group panel.

When time allows I love to walk in Snowdonia, but recently I’ve been spending more time as a carer or working on the allotment growing fruit & veg for my family and neighbours. I always find that being outdoors is a great way to clear the mind and improve one’s well-being.

Sarah Dugan – Trustee

I am fully committed to the values of Citizens Advice and believe we can really make a difference to people’s lives by offering information, advice and support when it is needed most. I have strong family and professional connections to the Black Country which inspired me to get involved as a trustee locally.

I have spent all of my working life in the NHS – initially as a nurse and more recently in Senior management roles. At the point of my retirement in April 2024 I was the CEO of a mental health and community NHS trust in the West Midlands. I continue to support the University of Worcester as a Fellow.

I like to spend time with my friends and family, walking, going to the theatre and travelling.

John Hussey – Trustee

Having trained and served as a Generalist Adviser with Citizens Advice Dudley Borough for 5 years providing one to one and outreach advice, I have a deep commitment to the  ideals and values of Citizens Advice. I want to continue to work with highly skilled and motivated

colleagues as we seek to transform our organisation and the services provided to the communities of Dudley and Wolverhampton.

My career background is in education as a teacher for more than 30 years in the inner City and Headteacher and Executive Principal of a Multi Academy of several schools with an age range from 2-19 years.

I love my escape in the garden, and enjoy literature, music and theatre. I’m getting better with my photography – I prefer being behind the camera not in front – and my art/drawing skills as I attend practical courses at the Midlands Art Centre.

Mark Jones – Trustee

I initially worked as a volunteer adviser at our Brierley Hill location. I really enjoyed helping people with their issues and through giving advice making a positive difference to their personal situations. I am passionate about the work Citizens Advice does, I want to give back to our community and have been a trustee for the last 20 years.

I am a Legal Adviser and work for a trade union. I have 20 years’ experience of providing employment law advice. I have a keen interest in social policy, current affairs and am committed to social justice and a more inclusive society.

I enjoy cooking – the first rule of survival, and like eating spicy food. I am a real ale fan, audio books and  addicted to my fitbit and maintaining my daily step count.

Geeta Patel – Trustee

I am part of  Citizens Advice Dudley and Wolverhampton because I am concerned about social inclusion and improving the lives of people in Dudley and Wolverhampton. I bring experience and skills based in working for local authorities, health services and the voluntary sector and I want to contribute to shaping the services offered by Citizen’s Advice based on people’s needs.

I am a board member for Women of Wolverhampton, a grassroots charity that facilitates positive change for women by advancing gender equality and equal participation. I also chair my local GP practice’s patient participation group.

I am married with three sons. I enjoy reading, fantasy and science fiction, societal developments, walking, and spending time with family.

Clare Williams – Trustee

Throughout my personal and professional life, I have been committed to equality and social justice. I see being part of Citizen Advice as a continuation of this. I currently work in Higher Education leading the Criminology and Criminal Justice department at Nottingham Trent University. Before this post I worked in Wolverhampton for 17 years and I have lived in Birmingham all my life.

Before working in universities, I worked in the early years and care sectors and have witnessed how significant the work of not for profit organisations like Citizen advice can be. This is my first trustee post, and I hope that the experience I bring can support the brilliant work of Citizen Advice.