Our people

Now leading the team at Citizens Advice Rotherham & District, my focus is on guiding our strategic vision, building resilient partnerships, and ensuring our vital advice services remain an important lifeline for our community. I’m incredibly proud to lead an organisation where passionate staff and volunteers work every day to turn complex challenges into a positive way forward for local residents.

For me, the most rewarding part of being CEO is seeing the huge impact our collective work has, knowing that by providing high-quality, independent advice, we are genuinely changing lives and helping people navigate some of their toughest moments.

I’m always keen to connect with partners, funders, and community leaders who share our vision for a fairer, more supported Rotherham.

Hi, I’m Jamie, Director of Business Development at Citizens Advice Rotherham & District.

My career journey has been a little unconventional. I started out in hospitality before moving into the charity sector, where I discovered a real passion for building relationships, creating opportunities and helping organisations make a bigger impact in their communities.

Since joining Citizens Advice Rotherham & District, I’ve had the opportunity to work across a variety of roles, giving me a broad understanding of the organisation and the challenges facing the people we support. Today, I focus on developing partnerships, securing funding and finding new ways for businesses, funders and community organisations to work alongside us to improve the lives of local residents.

What I enjoy most about my role is meeting people. Whether it’s a local business, charitable trust, community group or public sector partner, I love hearing about what matters to them and exploring how we can work together to create positive change.

Outside of work, I’m a proud new mum who spends most of her free time chasing after a busy toddler, walking the dog, getting out for a run when I can, and enjoying time with family and friends.

I’d love to connect and hear from anyone interested in supporting our work or exploring partnership opportunities.

Gemma’s journey with CARD began seven years ago as a volunteer advisor. Driven by a passion to ensure no one faces problems alone, she never looked back, progressing through triage, Training Supervisor, and Advice Services Manager before stepping into her current director role. Combined with a prior 20-year career in retail management, this first-hand experience means she knows our services inside out.

Today, Gemma manages over 15 local and national projects and key stakeholder partnerships. With community demand at an all-time high and charity funding tightly limited, her role is a constant balancing act. While resource restrictions mean the system cannot always be perfect, Gemma is fiercely dedicated to stretching every resource so fewer people slip through the cracks. To further develop her impact, she is currently studying for a Master’s in Senior Leadership at Sheffield Hallam University.

Outside of work, Gemma is a self-proclaimed football mum, spending her weekends watching her kids play in goal, always amazed by how fearless they are on the pitch, while she is a nerve-wracked wreck on the side lines! To unwind, she loves travelling with her family and enjoying a well-deserved glass of prosecco.

“I loved working in banking, but I wanted to use my skills to help the people who needed it most. At Citizens Advice, I get to do exactly that.”

Melanie joined Citizens Advice Rotherham over eight years ago, bringing a decade of experience from the retail banking sector. Driven by a desire to use her financial expertise to support the wider community, beyond just the “credit-worthy”, she initially joined as Finance and Resources Manager before stepping into the Director role four years ago.

Melanie oversees a broad portfolio that includes finance, HR, IT, training & development, governance, board management, and administration. A strategic problem solver who loves turning big strategies into reality, she has pioneered internal schemes that have turned around staff sickness and turnover, boosting team morale and productivity.

Melanie recently completed her Executive MBA with Distinction during her Level 7 Senior Leader’s Masters Degree Apprenticeship. When she isn’t balancing the books or planning our next big strategy, she is at home managing a busy household with her husband, two teenage children, two cats and a crazy labrador.