Projects Director

Jane is the founding director of Smart Savings CIC and the Veterans Regroup Project. She leads on the co-design and strategic planning of all project services, ensuring they are delivered in strong collaboration with partner organisations. As the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL), Jane also oversees all safeguarding processes and standards across the organisation.

With extensive experience in project management, Jane has a professional background spanning the financial services sector, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and commissioning roles within Cornwall Council. Her diverse experience brings a robust understanding of both operational delivery and strategic partnership working.

Qualifications:

• BA Hons Business Studies, Class 2:1
• Certificate for Financial Advisers (CeFA)
• Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice (CeMAP)
• Citizens Advice Gateway Assessor & Generalist Adviser
• Postgraduate Certificate in Management & Finance
• Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7) in Career Development and Coaching
• CIM Advanced Certificate in Marketing
• Level 3 Award in First Aid
• NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate in Understanding Mental Health First Aid
• Supporting Parents and Children Emotionally (SPACE) Facilitator
• Level 3 Multi-Agency Safeguarding & Child Protection
• Diploma in Trauma and Mental Health Informed Schools (Merit).

Armed Forces Hub and Volunteer Coordinator

Mini served 28 years in the Royal Navy as a Radar Operator, leaving the service in 2013 at the rank of Chief Petty Officer. Following his military career, he worked for 11½ years with Help for Heroes as a Case Manager, where he played a key role in establishing and supporting Armed Forces Hubs across the Southwest. In July 2025, Mini joined the Veterans Regroup project as the Armed Forces Hub and Volunteer Coordinator. He is passionate about ensuring the Armed Forces community receives the right support, to achieve the best possible outcomes for service personnel, veterans, and their families throughout Cornwall.

Director

I served in the Coldstream Guards for 21-years. Upon leaving the Army, I was medically discharged and faced adversity, like many other members of the Armed Forces. Thankfully, barbering gave me a platform to build my own business. I founded Armour To Barber, run an award winning Barbershop and teach all aspects of barbering across the UK. I provide the Veterans Regroup project with strategic input as a Director.

Director

Tina is a senior manager with over 25 years’ experience across education, business, wellbeing and the voluntary sectors. She has led contracts, commissioning, bid development and partnerships, collaborating with training providers, local authorities, employers and community organisations to deliver high-quality education and skills programmes that make a real difference.

Tina's leadership style is inclusive, values-driven and people-centred. Tina believes that how we lead matters as much as what we deliver - connecting vision to action and empowering others to do their best work. Armed Forces page - text amendment: Can you please change the sentence: "We are proud that at least 90% of our project services are focused on the Armed Forces community " to "Since, 2023, 100% of our project services are focused on the Armed Forces community". 

Money Advice Caseworker & Financial Capability Trainer

Sam is a highly experienced Money and Debt Adviser and provides one-to-one advice to clients in face-to-face meetings or remotely via phone or online. Sam provides advice on income maximisation, budgeting, debt management, housing and energy and delivers financial capability training.

Sam has previously worked for Citizens Advice Cornwall as a Specialist Debt Advice Case Worker for over 12 years, is a fully qualified DRO Intermediary. Sam has also worked in the Wills and Probate department at Coodes Solicitors for four years.

Qualifications:

• Money Advice Practice Certificate (MIMA)
• CILEx Level Professional Higher Diploma in Law and Practice Completed various courses: Bailiffs, supporting vulnerable clients, CCA Training, UC, IVA’s, Parking Penalties and Charging Orders.

Money Advice Caseworker & Trainer

Paul has over twenty years of industry experience as a General Manager and Managing Director in high growth technology companies. For the last ten years he has been working as a NLP coach, mentor and trainer.

Paul also works as a part-time Money and Generalist Adviser for the Citizens Advice Cornwall and as a Trustee at Treverbyn Community Hall.

Qualifications:

• Commercial Law – LLB (Hons)
• MBA (speciality: Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions)
• OCR in A1 assessor award
• City and Guilds in Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector (PTLLS)
• Hogan Leadership Benchmarks/Skillscope
• Certified NLP Master Practitioner.

Finance Manager

Shiraz has a background in accounts, IT and Health and Safety. Shiraz currently works as a manager for the Ministry of Defence.

Qualifications:

• BA Hons Managerial Statistics
• AAT Advanced Diploma In Accounting AAT bookkeeping member (AATQB)
• IOSH Managing Safely
• DSE Assessor

Veteran Support Worker & Generalist Money Adviser

Simon joined the Royal Navy in 1974 as a Seaman Radar Operator and spent time at sea on HMS Juno during the Cod War in the mid 70’s. In 1977 after being injured, Simon changed branches to the Medical Branch sub-specialising as an operating theatre technician. Simon served during the Falklands Conflict in the Red and Green Life Machine, an operating theatre and field hospital. Post conflict, Simon was trained to counsel service personnel who were suffering from PTSD.

In 1991, Simon left the Navy and became a Clinical Supervisor and Senior Manager for the NHS and worked for Active Plus CIC. Simon supports veterans with our specialist money advisers to assist in their mental health and signpost and refer them to appropriate support services and charities. Simon is currently undertaking a level 3 course as a Life Coach.

Money Advice Caseworker & Financial Capability Trainer

Marianne is a highly experienced Money Adviser who has worked as a Supervisor and Independent Financial Adviser for Bradford and Bingley and Nationwide.

Qualifications:

• Level 3 Financial Planning Certificate
• Money Advice Practice Certificate (MIMA)
• LLB Law 2:1

Veteran Support Worker

Abigail joined the Royal Air Force in 2009 , serving in Afghanistan on Herrick 16 in 2012 and a tour in the Falkland Islands between 2014/15. Abigail was medically discharged in 2018 with complex PTSD, as a result of incidents during my tour of Afghanistan. Abigail also works part-time as a Youth Officer for The Royal British Legion acting as liaison between the RBL and the Cadet Forces and schools/ colleges and is a qualified Girl Guide leader.

Counsellor and Psychotherapist

Louise currently provides counselling support to our clients and works part-time as a Counsellor and Psychotherapist at Outlook SW. Louise has previously worked as a Family Support Practitioner, Outpatient Substance Abuse Counsellor, and as a yoga instructor.

Qualifications:

• BA (Hons) Psychology
• Positive Parenting Practitioner
• Post Qualifying Diploma in Child and Adolescent Counselling
• Substance Abuse Counsellor Training – 83 hrs Regional Alcohol Drug Abuse Counsellor Training
• Master Practitioner Neuro-Linguistic Programming and Hypnotherapy – Advanced Neuro-Dynamics.

Debt Adviser

Alice is a highly experienced Debt and Housing Adviser and provides one-to-one advice to clients in face-to-face meetings or remotely via phone or online. Alice provides advice on income maximisation, budgeting, debt management and housing. Alice has worked as a Housing Support Worker for Stonham Homegroup and also as a Money Advice Caseworker for Citizens Advice Cornwall. Alice is a qualified DRO intermediary.

Qualifications:

• Money Advice Practice Certificate (MIMA)
• GGDA Giving Good Debt Advice
• Specialist/Casework and Court Representation
• Debt Relief Order Approved Intermediary
• DASH
• Mental Health First Aid
• CILEX level 6
• LLB Law 2:1.

Teacher & Outdoor Instructor

Kathy is an experienced teacher of 16 years and qualified outdoor education facilitator. Kathy has delivered Forest School sessions since 2007 and is qualified to offer indoor wall climbing, cycling, kayaking, canoeing, trail running, sea swimming and Stand-up Paddleboarding (SUP).

Kathy is passionate about harnessing the power of being active in nature and using it as a tool to improve emotional literacy (self-awareness, motivation, self-regulation, empathy and social skills).

Qualifications:

• Joint Honours BSc Degree (Biology/Psychology)
• PGCE Science
• MA Professional Studies in Education
• Level 3 Award in Forest School Leader