Board of trustees

Mark Gamsu (Chair)

markMark spent most of his working life in the voluntary and statutory sector – collaborating with others to tackle inequality.

He is interested in how we, as citizens, influence the way decisions are made locally and he writes about this on his blog www.localdemocracyandhealth.com


Alistair Griggs

alistairAlistair was previously the national Operations Director for eight years at the Refugee Council and then the governance director at Sheffield City Council, as well as a trustee (and briefly the chair) at Pitsmoor CAB.

He has a track record in social care, health, housing, advice work, volunteering, and work with refugees.

Alistair is currently a non-executive director for Spectrum Community Health (a social enterprise), a lay tribunal member for the Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service, a part-time walking holiday leader for HF Holidays and sings with Purple Cats Community Choir.

He is committed to excellence, strong customer care and engagement, and is values-driven.


Hilary Dawson

hilaryHilary’s working life was spent in the Special Needs sector of the Education Service and she found while there that the inequalities of life were a daily factor.  How decision making processes were influenced and challenged became a significant feature of her job.

Some of Hilary’s other roles included managing the school budget and fundraising.  She has also served as a School Governor.

Hilary’s association with Hillsborough & Area Advice Service began in 1998 and she trained as a volunteer advice worker. She subsequently became a trustee and served some time as the Treasurer.

In her free time, Hilary enjoys researching Family History.


Mark Smith

Mark has worked in the voluntary, charity sector for most of his professional career.  He is currently working for charity Sheffield Futures.  Prior to this role he worked at Healthwatch Sheffield, Doncaster Chamber and children’s charity SAFE@LAST that supports children and young people who are at risk through running away.

His role at the charity included managing fundraising and finance, the volunteering program, strategy and business planning, partnership working and HR amongst other duties.

Mark has undertaken numerous volunteering roles with a range of charities and organisations that offer emotional support, advice, practical help and advocacy with vulnerable adults and children.  He is also an International Vice President assigned to Europe for the Junior Chamber International (JCI), a global network of young professionals.

He currently runs his own charity consultancy business ‘Make Your Mark UK’ that aims to help charities and voluntary sector organisations to be better.


Sheila Robinson

Way back in 1981 Sheila was a volunteer adviser at Pitsmoor CAB and was the Deputy Chair of the management committee for a while. Since then she worked for Sheffield Council for 15 years, in a variety of roles.  She has always been a trade union activist (since the mid 1970s) and this led her to working as a Full Time Officer for UNISON for a number of years.  She completed her MA at the University of Warwick, in Industrial relations and Personnel Management. She then worked, up to her retirement, as a tutor at Northern College, teaching adults with no formal qualifications, from the start of their adult learning up to post-graduate level.  She still works as a non-legal (lay) member of the Employment Tribunals, a role she has had for 10 years.

Through her work, her aim has been to empower and support people who are excluded and disadvantaged by society and is proud to have played a part in all these lives.  She is committed to continuing this by putting her skills and time into her work as a CAS Trustee.


Helen E Steers

Helen is a public policy specialist with an interest in understanding and managing the real-life consequences of public policy decision-making at a community level. During a Civil Service career that lasted 26 years and spanned a range of roles from front-line benefit and health and safety work to developing and delivering national policy for education and employer skills, Helen developed a good understanding of the inside of Government.

Since leaving Government, she has undertaken postgraduate study with the University of Sheffield Politics Department. She has also pursued a range of freelance activities to support the capacity of the voluntary and community sector to meet the needs of the Sheffield population, with a particular focus on removing barriers for the most disadvantaged groups. Helen acts as a policy consultant across a range of Government and non-Governmental organisations.

A born and bred Sheffielder, she is really pleased to have the opportunity to work with Citizens Advice to support the important and wide-reaching work it does in a City that is very dear to her heart.


Gregg Watts

Greg is the Director of the Quantity Surveying Programme at the University of Salford.

With over 15 years’ experience in the construction industry Greg has worked for small, medium and large organisations as well as having involvement in wider construction industry initiatives around procurement methods and social value.

Born in Sheffield, Greg has previously volunteered as a school governor, enjoys walking in the Peaks when he can, and is really pleased to be able to support the great work of Citizens Advice Sheffield.


David Sollitt

Dave is a Director and Chief Operating Officer for the Wealth Management division of the Irwin Mitchell group, IM Asset Management.

His background is in Change, Technology and Operational roles, predominantly in Financial Services, over the past 25 years.

Dave was born in Sheffield, and is enthused to be working with Citizens Advice to help drive social justice across the city.


Karen Escott

Up until recently Karen worked for Sheffield Hallam University, teaching urban planning and researching social and economic inequality, local labour markets and women’s employment.

Prior to that she worked for the Centre for Public Services providing advice and support to public bodies, trade unions and community organisations across the UK and as a researcher for Sheffield City Council’s Department of Employment and Economic Development.

She has lived in Sheffield since 1982 and is very pleased to be able to contribute to supporting the vital work of Citizens Advice to diverse communities across the city


Neal Southwick

NealNeal is the Head of Financial Inclusion Programmes at the Trussell Trust, leading the charity’s work to ensure that people in crisis are able to access timely and high-quality advice to maximise their income and address the underlying cause of crisis.

Neal has extensive experience of leading national strategic partnerships, service development and influencing work, delivering significant impact for vulnerable groups.

Neal’s career has been focused on the third sector, working in advice and community development for a decade, before leading Macmillan Cancer Support’s Financial Support Programme from inception for over 12 years. Neal joined the Trussell Trust in November 2019.


Lynsey Golland

LynseyLynsey has over 20 years’ experience in the welfare to work, employment and skills industry, and is a member of Institute of Employability Professionals.

She is currently employed full time as a Senior Manager for Zest in the voluntary and community sector utilising her expertise, managing projects, staff, volunteers and building partnerships.

Passionate about helping others to get the best out of life, Lynsey’s work focuses on tackling poverty, improving social justice and having a positive impact on people’s mental wellbeing.

Lynsey has lived in Sheffield all her life, is a family person and when she gets the chance enjoys, holidays, fishing and is an avid koi keeper.


Mohammad Rajjaque

MohammadMohammad has worked in the banking sector dealing with commodities markets for half a decade before joining a career in academics. Prior to this he has also worked in the Microfinance industry where he worked with a number of NGOs and marginalised communities.

He has a Bachelors in Economics, an MBA and a Master’s Degree in Accounting and Finance. He is also a qualified Financial Advisor and a member of London Institute of Banking and Finance.

Mohammad works at The University of Sheffield (Full time) and the University of York (As an associate) where he teaches courses on Financial Management. He also Chairs the Staff Race Equality Network and Acts as the Director of Student Experience at the Management School at the University of Sheffield.

Mohammad is very passionate about working towards livelihood based support systems that are designed to help marginalized individuals and communities, enabling them to join the mainstream economic and social institutions and have an inclusive lifestyle.


Debbie Mathews

DebbieDebbie has spent the last 21 years working in the voluntary and community sector, championing community development and challenging social injustice and inequalities.

Debbie recently stepped down as the CEO of Manor and Castle Development Trust after 18 years and is now taking on voluntary work and giving back to a sector she loves and admires. Debbie has also worked in the NHS as a Health Promotion development worker and was an elected councillor for 4 years.

Debbie is also a trustee for Hope, S2 Food Poverty Network, Victoria Community Enterprise and is a steering group member on the Sheffield Poverty Truth Commission.


Rebecca Morcos