Meet the Team
Jayne Bellis
Founder & MD
Jayne is an experienced and seasoned professional having spent the last 40 years working in social welfare and financial services including the last 25 years in the free debt advice sector. She is a safe pair of hands with many years managing debt advice teams, training debt advisers and collaborating on advice projects, to secure the best outcomes for all.
Founding Pennysmart CIC in 2009 driven by a belief that a more ‘holistic-approach’ to debt advice was needed to support the most vulnerable who need extra support to achieve long term solutions. With a determination to deliver this via a social enterprise approach, underpinned her commitment to building a respected, viable and professional service.
She is now sought out as an expert in her field, often works as a consultant and has been involved with a number of working groups such as MaPS Strategy Group Wales, National Advice Network Wales, IMA Council; Financial Capability Forums Wales, NW MALG etc.
Janet Lawton
Non-Executive Director
Janet joined Pennysmart as a non executive director in March 2019. She is a housing professional, having worked in social housing all her career across various organisations within the North West. Janet currently works across west Cheshire heading up services delivering housing management and homelessness support on behalf of the local authority.
Janet brings to the Board her experience in operational delivery, coupled with an understanding of the issues faced by people living with vulnerabilities that contribute to poverty and debt. In her spare time Janet also volunteers with a charity who provide an inclusive space for people who have experienced homelessness and marginalisation to have a voice, with the Choir with No Name.
Angharad Williams
Non-Executive Director
Angharad is an employment law solicitor, and joined Pennysmart as a non-executive director in August 2022. She specialises in advising employers and employees on a wide range of employment law and HR issues, and has worked in this area for over seven years.
Through her work, Angharad has had the opportunity to provide pro-bono advice to members of the local community, and has experience of working with others at a strategic level, having been a member of numerous committees throughout her career. She brings her analytical, problem-solving, legal and people skills to the Board.
Erica Parkinson
Non-Executive Director
Erica is a qualified accountant and joined Pennysmart as non-executive director in August 2022.
Erica currently holds the position of Finance Director at NWF Fuels Ltd where she has been in the role for 6 years, prior to that she has worked across various industries including Construction, Engineering and Manufacturing. She brings with her to the board her knowledge in financial experience, M&A, operational excellence, process improvement and business strategy.
Caprice Hughes
MIMA (Cert)
Advice Supervisor
IMA Debt Adviser of 2023
Caprice has been a part of Pennysmart since 2017. Her responsibilities include supervising the advice team, monitoring the quality of advice, managing a caseload, and maintaining and continuously improving systems, processes, and procedures with the rest of the team.
Lucie Oakley
Budgeting Adviser
Lucie is responsible for providing advice to clients needing support with balancing their budget and managing their money more effectively.
Brigid Killen
Budgeting Adviser
Brigid joined Pennysmart in June 2023 and is responsible for supporting clients to balance their budget and manage their money.
Paula Kameen
Admin Supervisor
Paula is responsible for supervising and supporting the Administration Team to assist clients through their Pennysmart journey and ensuring a consistently high level of customer service.
Tom Fletcher
Contracts Administrator
Tom joined the Administration team in April 2022 to provide help to clients accessing our service and to support the Advice team.
Elaine Barlow
Administrator
Elaine joined Pennysmart in March 2023 to provide administration support for the Advice Team and help clients access our service.
Kathryn Brett
Accounts Administrator
Kathy joined Pennysmart in 2022 and assists the Business Services Manager in accounts and payroll administration.
Hayley Rowley
Media Assistant
Hayley is responsible for managing our online presence, production of email newsletters, branding and provides digital/visual media input.
Mary Santos
Administrator
Mary joined the Administration team in January 2024 to assist clients accessing our service and to support the Advice team.
Previously volunteering in a local charity, she has seen the impact community focused organisations have and so, wanted to work at Pennysmart where she could help clients and use the skills she gained in retail. She states that the best thing about working for Pennysmart is communicating with clients throughout their Pennysmart journey and witnessing how such a small organisation can be positively impact the lives of so many people.