We’re ending homelessness and changing futures

Sam is Chief Executive and has over 30 years of experience in the support and housing sectors, working in both statutory and charitable roles. As a keen advocate for social justice, Sam emphasises systemic change to make services and systems work effectively for those who use them. Sam has led the development of new services and support models for young people and women, focusing on early intervention and prevention. Additionally, Sam oversaw the development of Llamau as a psychologically and trauma-informed organisation.

Peter is a Professor at Cardiff University and has been a board member at Llamau since 2009. Pete has a particular research interest in the housing experiences and pathways of vulnerable people. Pete has particularly focused his research on youth housing and homelessness, a field in which he has sought to understand the experiences of young people from their perspectives. 

Cath is the Director of Health and Social Services Integration working with the Cardiff and Vale Health Board, Vale of Glamorgan Council, Cardiff Council and a wide range of third sector organisations to bring health and care services closer together.  Prior to moving to South East Wales in 2019, she held similar posts in Doncaster, Harrogate and Bradford, helping to develop partnerships and rebuild health and care services around people rather than organisations.  Cath is an occupational therapist by trade, but latterly has many years’ experience in partnerships, commissioning and strategy across health and care systems.

Tom Breed is a qualified chartered accountant and is Financial Director at Capital Law. Previously he was Financial Planning & Treasury Manager for Clarion Events Limited. Prior to that, he worked at a metal trading company in the City of London. Tom qualified as a chartered accountant with Bright Grahame Murray and has a BA from the University of Birmingham.

Joanna has a professional background in finance and banking with experience supporting organisations on an international level. Joanna has previously worked closely with a number of third sector organisations across Wales including a number of charities in particular that support children, young people and women, assisting them with various commercial efforts, strategic challenges and fundraising activities in the region. Joanna has also held roles in a risk management and governance capacity, with experience of designing and implementing risk review and mitigation practises.

Jon Belcher is a consultant commercial lawyer and a partner at Excello Law, where he specialises in advising clients on all areas of data protection and information governance compliance. He joined the Llamau board in 2022. Jon has previously worked for Blake Morgan LLP, the Welsh Government and the Information Commissioner’s Office. He qualified as a solicitor in 2012.

Bex Kentfield has significant experience across the housing and homelessness sector and in the prevention of VAWDASV. She is currently Project Manager for the Faith in Affordable Housing project, collaborating with Housing Associations to create truly affordable homes in Wales. During her time at Welsh Women’s Aid, Bex worked on mapping diversity and reach of the Live Fear Free Helpline in Wales, to ascertain the gaps in service provision to minorities and propose solutions, and was also a community trainer on the prevention of VAWDASV. Bex has also been involved in numerous EDI and anti-racism projects and oversight groups.

Rachel is a solicitor at Welsh commercial law firm Darwin Gray. Rachel specialises in employment law and has developed a particular expertise in, and passion for, equality and discrimination issues. She regularly trains employers, managers and HR teams on subjects such as equality, diversity and prevention of discrimination and harassment, as well as other issues ranging from GDPR to governance. Rachel regularly advises employers in the charity and third sectors on employment law issues. She also represents employees who have been dismissed or discriminated against at work. 

Ranjit is the Founder and CEO of One Million Steps, a Cardiff based social impact tech start up developing a digital toolkit for organisations to launch health and well-being challenges to drive social impact and change. Ranjit studied Law and Journalism at Cardiff University and found his first role as New Editor and Sub Editor of The Big Issue Cymru.  He then joined Cardiff Council's Social Housing and Homelessness Prevention teams and worked for 14 years at frontline, strategic and board levels.  

Amy has experience working in the Criminal Justice system and Local Authorities. She is currently a consultant for the Institute of Public Care (IPC) at Oxford Brookes University, a non-for-profit knowledge exchange centre within the University whose aim is to use professional experience, complemented by the academic rigour of the university, to work with clients to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for local people and the communities they work with. Throughout her career, Amy has worked with population groups which Llamau seeks to support, including those experiencing homelessness and drug and alcohol challenges. 

Claire began her career in the housing sector at the Welsh Local Government Association and has remained passionate about the life-saving work of Llamau. She has also held positions within the South Wales Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office focused on preventing sexual assaults, stalking and violent crime affecting young people. Claire has campaigned for the rights of those living in poverty through her advocacy work at Oxfam Cymru. In her current role, as Head of Interventions at the Equality and Human Rights Commission, Claire provides specialist advice and guidance to employers on how to comply with equality and human rights legislation. Claire has also been Chair of the Council for Wales of Voluntary Youth Services, Interim Chair of the Welsh Refugee Council and Trustee for the Wales Centre for International Affairs.