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Trustees’ Week 2024 – meet Kati, our newest recruit

It’s Trustees’ Week 2024, when we celebrate the amazing contribution made by nearly one million trustees across the UK for their charities – and recognise the difference they make.

And what better way to mark the occasion than by introducing our newest trustee?

Citizens Advice Trustee Kati Schmidt outside the Beverley office

Solicitor Kati Schmidt, who works for Siemens Mobility Ltd, spent time in our Beverley and Hull offices last Thursday – and said she was “incredibly impressed” by what she saw.

Kati brings a wealth of experience, including 20 years working as qualified solicitor in her native Austria, Russia and now the UK, where she previously studied at University College London (UCL).

While she has been involved in charity work previously, Kati – whose work for Siemens in Goole involves a range of corporate responsibilities including sales and manufacturing contracts and procurement – was attracted by a role on our Trustee Board which would work with her busy schedule.

She explained that every solicitor in Austria does legal aid work, and that it was “incredibly satisfying” to be able to make a difference in someone’s life – something she sees reflected in our role in our communities.

Kati was also struck by the standards throughout the organisation, particularly compared with many charities in Austria which operate in “far less professional” settings.

“I was incredibly impressed by the standard of everything – the offices, the technical equipment,” she said, praising the equally high standards of the members of our teams she has met so far. “Just like in a law firm, you need to deliver professional advice, and you need a high level of knowledge and expertise to do that.”

Kati lives in London with her partner and their dog, Jessie. She is a big fan of the theatre, usually taking in a play once a week, and walking with Jessie – “the best fitness training”.

Could your knowledge and vision could help build the success of the area’s leading advice provider?

We are currently looking forward to the future and developing our services to meet the challenges the people of Hull and the East Riding will face over the next few years.  Your ideas, skills and enthusiasm could make all the difference to how we achieve this.

We are seeking people with strategic vision, independent judgement and a willingness to give time and commitment to being a trustee.

We are particularly interested in hearing from people with knowledge and experience in some of the following areas:

  • the legal and advice sector
  • developing strategies for increased financial sustainability in the third sector
  • how technology and social media can support service delivery and promote the organisation
  • A knowledge of/relationship with key stakeholders
  • HR and managing people in fast changing times
  • An understanding of the economic and social drivers of poverty in society and an ability and interest in supporting Hull and East Riding residents