Each year we advise several thousand people to try to resolve a very wide range of issues including benefits, tax, debt, housing, energy and charitable support via foodbanks. Advice is offered via email or telephone and in person.
Meet the CEO
CASCD has a permanent staff of 12 working across both office, working in roles such as training, administration, giving advice and supporting the team of 25 volunteer advisors.
Dr Simon Thurley CBE, Chair
Dr Simon Thurley is a well-known historian and academic who has published many books on architectural history and heritage. Between 2002 and 2015 he was chief executive of English Heritage and before that, for five years, was director of the Museum of London.
Meet the Trustees
Being a Trustee for Stroud and Cotswold District Citizens Advice is a an exciting and rewarding role. If you think you would like to know more about what a trustee does to support the very important work being done by this organisation, please contact info@ca-scd.org.uk
John Hammond is an experienced Trustee and Chartered HR professional with a demonstrated history of working in a Top 20 FTSE Company, Government Civil Service and the Not for Profit Sector; skilled and with a proven track record in advising on, and dealing with, HR issues covering collective bargaining, conflict resolution, operational management support, business transformation and career development
Barry O’Driscoll is a Chartered Civil Engineer and Senior Business Leader with 30 years’ experience in the planning, delivery and operation of major transportation projects. He holds a portfolio of non-executive, board and advisory positions, including the Irish and the Isle of Man Governments. He has 30+ years experience volunteering with various national and local youth and charitable organisations, focused on improved life skills, health awareness, improving governance and securing longer term funding. Barry has lived in Gloucestershire for the last 25 years and runs a consultancy advising clients on the creation and operation of better infrastructure to support a more inclusive society.
Martin Cook has lived in or near to Cirencester for about 30 years. He is now retired from paid employment but previously worked for a number of international energy companies, both in the UK and abroad. He led organisations responsible for Information Systems and Business Change, including during mergers and acquisitions and other business changes. On retiring he joined Citizens Advice as a trainee adviser, which he did for about 10 years, giving him a good insight into the problems affecting our clients.
Ian Buswell started his accounting career at City and Islington College before moving to the private sector as European Finance Director for Intergraph, a global supplier of enterprise engineering and geospatially powered software. His career was hijacked by a road accident in 2006 in which he suffered a severe brain injury. During his long recovery he volunteered with CA and became a supervisor, managing a large team of dedicated volunteers. He now works as Senior Finance Manager at the Dyson Institute where he uses his extensive board experience to guide the team and embed financial processes in the Institute’s culture. He joined Citizens Advice as a trustee in 2024 and considers being a trustee at an organisation he loves is a privilege.
Jane Whaley is a geologist and technical editor with extensive experience in the oil industry in technical, managerial, editorial, journalistic and business development capacities. She has lived and worked in the Middle East, USA, and Ireland as well as England and has now lived in the Stroud area for over 25 years. Jane has been a fundraiser for a number of charities including Sightsavers International, and has acted as a school governor and chair of the parents committee for Avening School.
William Underhill was a solicitor practicing company law at Slaughter and May until his retirement in 2018. William and his wife, Maxine, made Siddington their home in 2020. They have four children and three grandchildren. William enjoys cycling and a little gentle golf. He is a trustee of the National Centre for Circus Arts, based in Hoxton in London.