Kate Henson
Chief Executive Officer
Kate Henson
Kate Henson is Chief Executive Officer at Citizens Advice RCT. She has been involved in the Citizens Advice service for over 25 years and has moved through a variety of roles during that time based in both local offices and as part of Citizens Advice nationally in a consultancy or freelance capacity.
She has enjoyed roles in management and leadership, training and development, debt casework, project management and volunteering. Responsible for the strategic direction of the organisation, Kate works with the Trustee Board, Senior Leadership Team, stakeholders and partners to strengthen services, drive innovation and build a sustainable, high-performing organisation that will continue to deliver meaningful impact and outcomes for our clients.
Kate is a values-driven leader with a strong commitment to fairness, social justice and improving life chances for people and communities facing complex challenges. She leads a team who are passionate about ensuring high quality advice services are accessible, responsive, and rooted in the communities we serve across RCT.
Karen Taylor
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Karen Taylor
Karen Taylor is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Rhondda Cynon Taf Citizens Advice. She began her journey with Citizens Advice in 2002 in Cynon Valley Citizens Advice as a volunteer and has since held a variety of roles within the organisation, including Cert MAP Debt Adviser, Advice Coach and Senior Advice Services Manager, before joining the Senior Management Team in 2014.
Karen became Deputy Chief Executive in September 2023 and served as Interim Chief Executive Officer from April to September 2025, providing strategic leadership and ensuring continuity during a period of change.
As a leader, Karen is dedicated to ensuring the continued delivery of free, impartial and confidential advice services to the communities of Rhondda Cynon Taf and beyond. She is passionate about delivering high quality, accessible advice for everyone and is committed to supporting the development of people across the organisation, creating meaningful opportunities for staff and volunteers.
With extensive experience in both local and national service mobilisation, Karen has played a key role in developing new and innovative approaches to advice delivery and in building strong relationships with stakeholders.
Alongside her role at Citizens Advice, Karen is Co-Chair of the Regional Advice Network Steering Group for Cwm Taf Morgannwg.
Caitlin Tempest
Operations Manager – Community
Caitlin Tempest
Caitlin initially joined the service as a volunteer in administration. Then started in a general office role in 2012 and has moved through a variety of roles and developed key skills within Management Support, Client Services, Advice Coaching & Volunteer Coordination. Caitlin became a Team Leader in September 2021 and in 2022 started our Advice Academy, leading on recruitment whilst managing advice projects including our supervisory team.
In previous years, she has delivered successful wide training projects such as a pan-Wales Discrimination Awareness project, and regionally led our Gambling Support Service. Caitlin is most passionate about staff and organisational development.
Keira Hughes
Operations Manager – Specialist
Keira Hughes
Starting her career with Citizens Advice in 2020 as a Generalist Adviser. She then moved to supervisor role and onto leading the Help Through Hardship helpline project for a number of years.
Keira has been responsible for our Energise Your Finances and Empowered delivering specialist energy and financial support, as well as local partnership projects.
Keira takes pride in the role that she delivers, and wants to make a difference by helping to tackle poverty in our communities.
Donna Lewis
Service Manager
Donna Lewis
Donna is a Service Manager, and has worked for CARCT since 2012. In that time, she has had a number of roles within Generalist and Specialist Projects. Including our Prescribing Advice Project working closely with secondary mental health and substance misuse teams. Becoming a supervisor in 2021, playing an active part in our service delivery and quality.
In 2023 Donna joined the Management Team, leading our supervisors to ensure and improve quality of advice to clients, and working with our Academy staff members and assisting them through our training pathways. Alongside this, Donna also leads our Advicelink Cymru Generalist and Remote teams, as well as Core delivery within our main office locations and our Administration team.
Gemma Ryan
Service Manager
Gemma Ryan
Now managing specialist advice teams within the organisation, including our large Consumer Debt Energy Advice (CEDA) helpline team.
Gemma advocates using a tailored approach to advice which recognises that all service users are different and is passionate about building strong relationships to enable our organisation to provide high-quality advice that is accessible for everyone.
Sophie Raybould
Service Manager
Sophie Raybould
Sophie is responsible for the day-to-day service delivery of a number of community projects, including our Local Foodbank Partnership, Schools/Family Advice Service and local authority funded “Projects” generalists.
Sophie’s career had begun in conveyancing before she started her time at CARCT, delivering generalist advice. Sophie later moved to a supervisor role, supporting advice delivery across a number of channels.
Sophie is passionate about delivering the best client journey experience possible through services and enjoys supporting others to provide a quality service.
