Our trustees

Charity trustees play a very important role. They are the people who share ultimate responsibility for governing our charity and directing how it is managed and run. They do not receive any payment and give their time freely to ensure that Coventry Independent Advice Service is run in accordance with our governing document and the law. They help shape our future!

Our current Trustees are:

  • Damon Swindell (Chair). Damon was our former AQS assessor who liked us som much that he joined our board! He is a management consultant to the legal profession and works as a freelance quality assessor for Lexcel.
  • Cllr Rachel Lancaster (Vice Chair). Rachel is one of the elected councillors for the Holbrook ward and is currently serving as Lord Mayor of Coventry.. Among her responsibilities, she is a member of Scrutiny Boards covering Business Economy and Enterprise, Education and Children’s Services, and Health and Social Care. Rachel is also Strategic Manager of Holbrook Community Centre in Coventry.
  • Lianne Payne. Lianne is a Specialist Employment Law Solicitor and Head of Employment Law at Askews Legal LLP. Lianne has over 17 years’ experience as a specialist employment solicitor, advising clients on a broad range of employment law issues, including TUPE transfers, redundancies, complex disciplinary and grievances matters, and Employment Tribunals claims. Lianne is a guest lecturer at some of the region’s leading Universities.
  • Mark Monaghan. Mark is an independent social work consultant and mentor. He has over 20 years’ experience in child protection. Mark was formerly the Lead Social Care Consultant at Signis Group where he provided support to Local Authorities around policy development and procedures.
  • Isabelle Osborne. Isabelle is manager of Coventry and District Credit Union. She has worked in the community for many years and has strong links with our advice service. She also chairs Holbrook Community Care Association.
  • Zainib Hussain. Zainib brings a wealth of lived experience in addition to over 30 years in the charity sector. She is currently working as a freelance welfare and engagement officer for a rare disease charity. She has previously worked as a Mental Health Wellbeing Coordinator with AgeUK and a Community Support Manager with DEBRA.