Vicki Lloyd - Chief Executive

Vicki joined Help the Aged’s policy team in 2006; she was appointed Director of Policy and Programmes of Age Cymru when the Charity formed in 2009. She became Chief Executive in 2018 and leads on the strategic direction of the Charity in ensuring it improves the lives of older people in Wales.

Vicki is currently Chair of the Ministerial Advisory Forum on Ageing, Chair of Age Alliance Wales and a representative on the Third Sector Partnership Council.

Vicki lives in Monmouthshire with her husband and spends her free time dog walking and reading.

Amanda O'Shea - Head of Operations

Amanda is the Head of Operations and is responsible for the operations side of Age Cymru through delivery of effective governance and central services including finance and HR, partnership working, fundraising and deployment of volunteers. Amanda also manages the Friend in Need service.

Before joining what was then Age Concern Cymru on 3 December 2007, she worked for Lloyds Bank for more than 18 years. The move from the commercial sector to the third sector was huge but a move that Amanda hasn’t ever looked back on.

Amanda has been with her husband for more than 39 years and were childhood sweethearts. She has one son who has gone off to University. Amanda likes to unwind by taking her dog for walks, camping and recently rediscovering holidays abroad.

Gavin Thomas - Head of Programmes and Services

Gav is Age Cymru’s Head of Programmes and Services, having joined the Charity in 2014. He has 20+ years’ experience of delivering support services for charities and in the public sector. Gav has spent time as a trustee of children’s charities and is passionate about social justice, especially where it relates to vulnerable people. He is immensely proud to be part of the team delivering high quality, respected programmes and services that benefit older people in Wales.

Gav is responsible for the delivery, quality and development of Age Cymru’s services and his role involves securing funding and service contracts, collaborative working with partners, strategic business planning and operational planning as well as performance managing teams. Gav subscribes to the transformational leadership approach to helping others achieve positive outcomes.

Married with two boys, Gav enjoys spending time with family and friends, and has a keen interest in natural alternative therapies as a way of preserving health and wellbeing. He enjoys travelling and experiencing new cultures, especially where food is involved! Gav has an eclectic taste in music and is an avid sports fan.

Heather Ferguson - Head of Policy and Projects

Heather is Head of Policy and Projects at Age Cymru and has worked for the organisation for more than seven years. Heather’s role involves overseeing the influencing work of Age Cymru inclusive of communication, policy, campaigns and public affairs.

Heather has more than 16 years’ experience of working in the non-profit, and Higher and Further Education sectors in Wales.

Originally from Rochdale, Greater Manchester, Heather has lived in Cardiff for almost 20 years after coming to study vocal performance at the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama.

Louise Hughes - Head of Safeguarding and Advocacy

Louise has worked with and supported older people for over 25 years in both a personal (caring for older relatives) and a professional capacity.

Louise has worked for Age Cymru for the last 17 years, formerly as Safeguarding Manager, Programme Manager for the Golden Thread Advocacy Programme and currently as Head of Safeguarding and Advocacy. As Head of Safeguarding, she oversees all Age Cymru’s safeguarding work including training, supporting and advising on safeguarding concerns, and strategic planning and policy. She also has responsibility for the two all Wales advocacy projects, HOPE (Helping others participate and engage, and the Dementia Advocacy Project.

Over the last 17 years Louise has been involved in campaigning for legislation to safeguard older people from abuse and for more access to independent advocacy.

Prior to working for Age Cymru, Louise has established and co-ordinated projects including an Information Service, Welfare Benefits Service and a generic issue-based crisis Advocacy Service.