Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees

Meet our Senior Management Team and Board of Trustees – please click on the arrow next to their names to find out more.

Tracey Wharvell, Chief Executive Officer

Since joining Citizens Advice in 1997, I have strived to ensure the services across Hull and the East Riding are thriving, helping individuals, families and our communities to resolve their problems. The evidence we collect will ensure people’s voice is heard and contribute towards making a fair society for all, free from the effects of poverty and injustice.

I am proud of the staff and volunteers of our service; they are highly skilled and make a real difference in people’s lives. 

I have worked and volunteered in the third sector for over 30 years, with experience working at a national, regional and local level, working in partnership and influencing policy decision-makers.

John Connelly, Head of Business Operations and Planning

Having joined the organisation in June 2021, I initially cut my teeth leading specialist client-facing services. I now oversee ICT, facilities, health & safety, and business support, ensuring that the organisation has the strong governance and infrastructure needed to deliver advice services across the region.

I bring particular expertise in ICT strategy, risk management, business continuity, and the development of strategic vision, doctrine and policy. With over 35 years of leadership experience – including a long military career – I am committed to creating resilient systems and practical solutions that enable staff and volunteers to do their best work.

I’m originally from Bridlington and was a pupil at Headlands School. I joined the Army in 1983 and went on to serve across Europe and around the world. I commanded a Regiment based in Hull and co-founded the Armed Forces Forum in the city. My career has spanned both the military and private sectors, giving me extensive leadership experience in operations, strategy and governance.

Kirsty Connor, Head of Specialist Advice Services

As Head of Specialist Advice Services at Citizens Advice Hull and East Riding (CAHER), I lead the strategic oversight and delivery of our specialist advice projects across key areas including Energy, Debt, Welfare Benefits, Housing, and Armed Forces support. My role involves working closely with stakeholders to transform innovative service delivery models into practical, impactful operations that meet the needs of our diverse communities.

Before joining CAHER, I spent 30 years in the highly regulated Health and Social Care sector, delivering front-line support and managing services aimed at empowering individuals to live their best lives. Seeking a new challenge and meaningful career change, I transitioned into the advice sector with CAHER, starting in a front-line role providing direct support to the public. The organisation’s open learning culture and strong sense of value and recognition inspired me to grow professionally, ultimately progressing to the leadership position I hold today.

I am passionate about supporting the dedicated teams I manage, contributing to the wider organisation, and ensuring we deliver high-quality, trusted advice that helps people move forward with confidence. My approach is rooted in collaboration, innovation, and a deep commitment to public service.

Katherine Nickolds, Head of Generalist Advice Services

Information to follow

Stacey Ullyott, Head of Business Development

As Head of Business Development,  I lead the organisation’s funding strategy, partnership development, communications and data insights. 

Having first joined Citizens Advice in 2013, I worked in a range of frontline roles before joining the Senior Management Team in 2019. This breadth of experience gives me a strong understanding of client needs and the challenges facing local communities.

In my current role I am responsible for identifying and securing new funding opportunities, strengthening relationships with funders and strategic partners, and developing innovative service models that respond to emerging needs.  I also oversee the organisation’s communications and impact reporting, ensuring that the value and outcomes of Citizens Advice Hull & East Riding’s work are clearly demonstrated to stakeholders.

I am passionate about social justice and committed to ensuring we continue to deliver high-quality, relevant and sustainable services for local residents.


Board of Trustees

Jim Doyle, Chairperson

Chair of Hull & East Riding Citizens Advice Bureau (Board member since 2015).

Self-employed provider of non-executive solutions across a wide range of sectors since 2009. Before then a Financial Director of a globally branded food business for ten years and a UK hotel group for five years. I have worked at the C-Suite level since 1988 in over 20 sectors. A Fellow of CIMA and HOSPA on several NED panels, including Interpath Advisory, KPMG, RSM, BTG, Barclays & Muckles LLP.

Chair of the Independent Audit Committees of Humberside Police (member since 2017) and Humberside Fire Authority (member since 2014). I was a Non-Executive Director in the NHS between 2006 & 2008.

Chairman of a global radiotherapy training software business based in Hull (2008-2018).

Vice Chairman of Dove House Hospice (Board member since 2013).

Andrew Severn, SHEF Committee

I am Joint Chair of the Hull and East Riding Citizens Advice Safety Health Environment and Fire (SHEF) Committee. 

I live in Tadcaster, North Yorkshire with my husband Ian and two young ginger cats.  

Along with a recent law degree from the Open University, I bring over 30 years’ experience of delivering projects including regulatory change, customer redress and account remediation across a range of UK insurance & banking organisations. 

I am now enjoying the opportunity to apply (what I am told is) my versatile, forensic, and pragmatic approach to both strategic initiatives and more detailed challenges in the charitable and voluntary sectors.  

When not working, I can often be found either cooking, walking, cycling, reading, travelling, or doing jigsaw puzzles. 

Adam Ledger, SHEF Committee

I live in Scarborough with my partner and the fluffy ball of terror that is my cat! I grew up in Driffield and have strong roots in the area, with my family being spread across East Yorkshire. I left Driffield when I went to study Music at the University of Hull, graduating in 2013. 

My career has taken me into the UK Space Agency, where I manage an education programme which aims to encourage students to take up STEM subjects, and to increase their career prospects. The role suits me well as I get to mix my enthusiasm for science with being able to make a real difference to some of the most disadvantaged communities in the UK. Before this role, I worked as one of the Agency’s strategists and contributed to several high-profile government strategies.

Before joining the Agency, I had a variety of roles, including being part of a team delivering legislation for the Welsh Government, teaching music, managing a hardware store, and even a short time as a theologian.   

My favourite hobby is trying new things – whether music, board games, reading, gardening, woodworking, 3D printing, or storytelling, I love to get stuck into all sorts. Though whether I am actually good at any of those is a very different matter!  

David Smith, Joint Forum

I have worked in the public sector for over 40 years predominately within local government but also with Humberside police in a civilian HR capacity.  

Prior to my retirement in 2020 I was Head of profession for Human Resources at the East Riding of Yorkshire Council. I was responsible for all operational and strategic decision-making affecting workforce related matter’s including Schools.  

I am a Fellow of the CIPD and hold a master’s degree in HRM. 

Ireneous Soyiri

I am a Senior Lecturer (Epidemiology and Applied Health Research Methods) in the Hull York Medical School, University of Hull. I also hold Fellowships with a few related international societies including the Royal Statistical Society (FSS). My research work in areas of Population Health Sciences, focus on research design, quantitative analyses and the development of research methodologies that will help shed light on the burden of diseases in large populations. 

As a member of this Board, I bring over 15 years of local and international experience in Public Health, Epidemiology, and data-driven research. Some of my expertise in maximizing the use of routinely collected data to inform policy and practice will inform my inputs to related Board activities and help strengthen CAHER’s efforts to address social inequalities and enhance service delivery. 

Lucy Riley

I am a Dispute Resolution Solicitor for a local firm with over five years of dispute resolution experience, dealing with a variety of commercial and personal disputes. 

I graduated from the University of Hull in 2018 with a Bachelor of Law and from the University of Law in 2019 with a Masters in Law. 

I was a volunteer for CAHER during my time at the University of Hull and joined the Trustee Board in 2025. 

In my spare time I like to bake (I have been told I need to go on Great British Bake Off!), read, swim and travel (although most of my holidays seem to be hiking holidays in the UK!).