Citizens Advice Exeter and Citizens Advice Torbay welcome new Chief Executive
Citizens Advice Exeter and Citizens Advice Torbay have welcomed Sue Julyan as their new chief executive. The local advice charities are independent but share some management functions under a partnership agreement.
Sue joins after working in education for more than 20 years, most recently as headteacher of Torre C of E Academy in Torquay. She also has experience of the voluntary sector, having been a Scout leader for nearly 10 years and a volunteer for the Purple Angels Memory Café.
Sue Julyan, Chief Executive of Citizens Advice Exeter and Citizens Advice Torbay, said: “I am delighted to be joining such a community-focused organisation. Times are particularly hard for everyone at the moment; there are people having to ask for support who have never had to before. I feel privileged to be in a position to support the staff and volunteers with helping our clients to find a way forward. I look forward to meeting our partners in the coming weeks and to us working together for the common good.”
Dennis Mardon, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Citizens Advice Exeter, said:
“I am delighted that Sue has joined us to lead our dedicated team of staff and volunteers. She brings excellent leadership skills and experience of motivating teams and managing budgets gained during her career in education, as well as a strong community ethos. I am confident she is the right person to lead our charity and work with all our partners to deliver vital advice services to our community, which are needed now more than ever amid the cost-of-living crisis.”
Geoff Buck, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Citizens Advice Torbay, said: “Sue was chosen from a strong field of applicants, and in addition to her proven management skills she will bring a fresh perspective to the role. For some while she has held a key position in Education in Torbay and she is well aware of the issues that many of the local residents face. Her enthusiasm and drive will ensure that the very high professional standards of advice given by the Torbay team of paid staff and volunteers, will be maintained.”
Over the past year Citizens Advice Exeter helped nearly 6,000 people through a mix of online services, self-help facilities, telephone and face-to-face appointments, giving advice on nearly 22,000 issues. Volunteers and staff helped access £4 million in financial gains for those who were seeking advice. This money has a huge impact on those people’s quality of life and is largely spent in the local economy.
In addition, Citizens Advice Exeter has saved government and public services some £1.9million in the last year, and provided wider economic and social benefits (social value) of some £14.4m per annum.
Furthermore, Citizens Advice Torbay has saved government and public services some £0.77m in the last year, and provided wider economic and social benefits (social value) of some £5.14m per annum.
Both charities are highly rated nationally in terms of their advice quality, governance, management, client and workforce satisfaction finance and operational performance.
Citizens Advice impact research shows people are equally satisfied with services across phones, chat and face to face, and that even during the pandemic over 80% of people found our services accessible. In the year ahead, work is being undertaken to deepen our understanding and adapt our service for those we do not reach.
