Meet the Leadership and Management Team
Laura Thomas – Chief Executive
Prior to coming to Citizens Advice as a CEO in 2015, my career had been in adult social care, working in the charity sector in senior management, providing services to adults with learning disabilities, acquired brain injury and Autism Spectrum Conditions.
In 2013, I lived in Transylvania, Romania, for 2.5 years as Development Director for a UK based charity, working in institutions for people with mental health issues, dealing with human rights abuses and liaising with NGO’s across Europe and Amnesty International.
I love being part of our Citizens Advice team as we help support thousands of people a year across Dudley Borough and the City of Wolverhampton to deal with complex and challenging situations affecting their day to day quality of life that some of us can take for granted, often affecting some of the most vulnerable in our communities.
To unwind and relax I love being outdoors, having meals out with friends and visiting my family who still live in my homeland of South Wales.
Nikki Saunders – Director of Services
I started volunteering at Citizens Advice as a volunteer in 2006 and soon became a paid employee in 2007. I fell in love with the organisation and what it stands for, supporting individuals and giving them a voice to improve the legislation and practices impacting them through our campaigning work.
I have over 14 years’ experience in the voluntary sector, developing the capabilities of our organisation to engage the workforce, clients and our partners to co-produce inclusive transformation. Inclusion and fairness have been an important part of my upbringing and I strongly believe that solving many of societies complex problems can only happen by involving the people and communities that experience them!
Outside of work I like reading, spending time with my granddaughter and holidays!
Nicky Wooldridge – Director of Finance
I started my career in finance in the private sector, working my way from trainee to qualified accountant, spending a total of 18 years in the manufacturing industry.
Having taken a career break with my young family I realised I no longer wanted to count ‘nuts and bolts’ but move into the voluntary sector where I could use my skills to indirectly help other people.
Having worked for a Mind charity for 3 years, I joined Citizens Advice in 2016 as Finance Manager progressing to Finance Director. I feel that our organisation provides an undervalued service, that has the scope to reach so many people and improve lives.
In my personal life apart from spending time with family, I love reading, gardening and walking with my dog.
Steph Garbett – Head of Business Support
I am thrilled to have joined Citizens Advice Dudley and Wolverhampton and I look forward to supporting and strengthening the vital service we provide to those in need.
My career started working for HM Courts and Tribunal Service, during my 12 years in post I completed a variety of roles. I have spent the last 6 years working in Education as an Executive Personal Assistant and HR Officer for a Multi Academy Trust. The skills and experience I have gained in these roles will serve me well in supporting our organisation to continue to provide the required level of support to our clients, in an efficient and timely manner, whilst championing change to make life easier for all.
I have a passion for all things health and wellbeing and I adore the great outdoors, gorge walking, abseiling, mountain climbing, you name it! I am a bit of a foodie, and enjoy a food festival and meals out with family and friends.
Hannah Knowles – Head of Finance
I have always been in a financial role throughout my career, working firstly in the private sector which is where I gained my AAT qualification back in 2008. Prior to joining Citizens Advice, I have spent seven years working within the education sector in primary schools as a School Business Manager.
Over this time, I have helped and supported a number of families within the local school communities and by joining Citizens Advice Dudley & Wolverhampton I hope to be able to indirectly help Dudley Borough and City of Wolverhampton communities on a larger scale and be part of making a difference to people’s lives.
Outside of work I love to spend quality time with my family and friends and seeing West End shows.
Siobhan Giddins – Head of Services
I started out my career in giving money advice to students, helping them educate themselves on preparing for life after University. Helping people with something practical gave me a sense of accomplishment, and being able to continue that but within the charity sector, really enhanced that.
I have loved my time with Citizens Advice and starting as a Money Advice Caseworker, helping to empower the community and give a voice back to those who were struggling, has made me thankful to be a part of this incredible organisation. I have worked my way up from caseworker, through supervisor, advice services manager, to my current leadership and management role and continue to use my influence and experience to break down the barriers for our community.
In my free time, I love being outdoors, with friends and family or curling up in front of my favourite film.
Claire Prosser – Head of Services
Prior to coming to Citizens Advice, I worked in adult social care for 12 years, providing services to adults with learning disabilities, mental health conditions and physical disabilities. I started my career in this field as a support worker whilst at university and then ended my career in this sector as a team leader, where I managed multiple different supported living homes in various locations across the West Midlands.
I love being part of the team at Citizens Advice Dudley & Wolverhampton. Everyone is always welcoming and as an organisation we support both our clients and each other on a daily basis. I feel proud to be part of an organisation who help and support thousands of people a year across the areas of Dudley and Wolverhampton. We are all helping those who need it to improve their day to day lives and enabling them to gain the coping mechanisms needed in the difficult situations they find themselves in.
Outside of work, my main hobby is spending time with my children either going on trips with them to exciting places or playing games– hide & seek in the dark and the “floor is lava” are firm favourites in our house!
Jessica Clark – Service Delivery Manager
I have always worked in the charity sector prior to coming to Citizens Advice Dudley and Wolverhampton. I started my career as a volunteer with ChildLine, working on their helpline to answer calls from children and young people. I then worked at the national charity Victim Support; where I was a caseworker, helping individuals who had been affected by crime to cope and recover from their experiences. I then worked in Victim Services within the Police where I specialised in supporting individuals who have been affected by domestic abuse.
I love working with people and find the charity sector incredibly rewarding which is why I wanted to work for Citizens Advice.
In my free time, I love being outdoors or getting stuck into a good book!
Paula – Service Delivery Manager
I joined Citizens Advice in 2017 as a volunteer initially. My journey with the organisation progressed through various paid roles including Contact Centre Assessor, Technical and Quality Supervisor, and now as Service Delivery Manager. Prior to Citizens Advice, I balanced raising my family with work in retail and hospitality after moving to the UK in 2005. My academic background in Philosophy has given me a strong foundation in critical thinking and ethical reasoning, which I apply daily in addressing the complex challenges our clients face.
What draws me to Citizens Advice is the unique blend of grassroots support and policy influence. I’m passionate about maintaining high service standards and developing our team to provide the best possible experience for people in our communities across Dudley Borough and Wolverhampton.
Outside work, I enjoy reading fantasy and science fiction, watching films, and despite my protests, participating in family board game marathons. My colleagues have also successfully converted me into a sushi enthusiast!
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