Our people

Adele Gilliatt

Non-Executive Director

Appointed as Non-Executive Director in August 2024, Adele is a housing professional with 25 years’ experience of supported housing, including specialist knowledge of homelessness prevention services and community support.

Following 22 years working within larger Registered Social Landlords, in 2023 Adele moved to Suffolk County Council in a Commissioning and Contracts role, continuing to specialise in homeless services and specialist mental health provision.

Adele sees her role as Non-Executive Director as an exciting opportunity to make use of her professional skills and experience whilst helping to influence the growth of Empanda, working with a talented and committed management team who reflect her own personal values.

Carolyn Howell MBE

Appointed as Non-Executive Director in May 2025, Carolyn has had a 40-year career working in a range of roles in both the statutory and voluntary sectors.

Between 2017 and 2023, Carolyn was CEO at Solo Housing, providing supported accommodation and homelessness prevention services for single people in Norfolk and Suffolk. Carolyn then worked as a freelance project manager supporting the Norfolk Strategic Housing Partnership and Norfolk Homelessness Solutions Forum in the delivery of the Norfolk Homelessness Prevention Strategic plan until May 2025.

Carolyn worked for Shelter, the National Campaign for Homeless People, for 18 years undertaking a range of roles including providing specialist housing and homelessness advice; training and consultancy support to frontline agencies; managing a local specialist housing advice centre; regional development manager for Midlands and East Region; and National Homelessness Advice Service Co-ordinator responsible for overall delivery of a multi-disciplinary service supporting specialist housing advice and homelessness prevention across England.

Whilst employed by Shelter, Carolyn completed two secondments with the Department of Communities and Local Government Homelessness Directorate and was awarded an MBE in recognition for her work to develop and deliver a national Mortgage Rescue Scheme (2009 to 2011). Carolyn has previously been both a director and trustee for her local Citizens Advice Bureau and the Advice Service Alliance and an Independent Regional committee member for Orbit Housing South-East region.

Since giving up work, Carolyn volunteers at a local community food hub and at her local riding stables.

Clare Carr

Chair

Clare was appointed the inaugural Chair in May 2016 and has since led the Board in fulfilling its strategic direction and objectives as a registered Community Interest Company. Clare is a chartered accountant with over 20 years’ corporate finance experience working in both profit and not-for-profit sectors. She has extensive knowledge of the financial and business operations of the Care and Support Services sector, having worked in the industry for more than 10 years, and is passionate about maximising Empanda’s role in the community.

Clare holds the position of Regional Head of Finance (Europe and Middle East) at a corporate travel management company. She’s responsible for the region’s financial operations and reporting, which generates a turnover of c.£750m.

Sue Philp

Non-Executive Director

Appointed as Non-Executive Director in April 2018, Sue is a housing professional with 37 years of housing management experience both within the private and social housing sectors.

Until December 2017, Sue held the position of CEO with Suffolk Housing, where she was responsible for leading the Executive Team in the delivery of strategic and business plan objectives.

Since retiring, Sue has moved home and is enjoying getting involved with local community groups and activities.

Sue has previously served on the board of two housing associations.

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Adrian Cady

Finance Business Partner

Adrian is responsible for the maintenance of Empanda’s finances and providing financial, payroll and pension support to all areas of the organisation. He also assists in central service functions such as IT and Insurance.

Adrian brings over 41 years’ experience of accounting, having held positions within the financial services industry (over 27 years), public sector, motor manufacturing industry, office managed procurement and business critical services, an international charity, property asset management, venture capital investment company and a small building and property management company. Adrian also brings six years’ pensions experience, having been a pensions manager for a major local food manufacturing company.

Adrian has been a member of the Association of Accounting Technicians since 1983 and is now a Fellow member, along with being a Payroll Agent member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers having obtained a payroll management diploma in 2009.

Ben Hughes

Managing Director

Ben’s background is in youth and community work, and with over 25 years’ experience of both working in and managing specialist supported housing projects, he is currently responsible for Empanda’s portfolio of specialist services for young people. Ben enjoys working alongside the service manager and dedicated team to develop and deliver flexible, truly person-centred support services and interventions for 16 to 24 year olds with a range of complex support needs.

As well as heading up our young people’s services, Ben’s portfolio includes a number of central service functions including Empanda’s IT system, insurance, repairs and maintenance, housing management and health and safety, as well as overseeing the daily operation of the kitchens at our two day centres.

In the past Ben has been involved in the development of accredited life skills courses for young people, creating a bicycle recycling workshop, opening a covid-safe shop for clients with learning disabilities during lockdown, and more recently introducing a gym for young people at one of our services.

Kerrie Good

Executive Director

Kerrie has day to day responsibility for the operation of Empanda’s services for adults with a learning disability, both in residential respite care and our supported living services.

Prior to joining Empanda, Kerrie worked for the Flagship Group for 22 years as Operations Manager for learning disability services. She has 45 years’ experience working with people with learning disabilities and is a CQC Registered Manager. She holds an NVQ Level 4 and Registered Managers Award, as well as a D32 and D33 Assessors Award in health and social care and lectured at City College for two years in this field. She also holds PTLLS (Preparing to teach in the life-long learning sector).

Prior to her role with the Flagship Group, Kerrie worked within Social Services and the NHS.

Paula Armenis

Head of Business Services

Paula’s role within Empanda is to ensure the smooth day-to-day running of the organisation, ensuring that staff have the right resources at their disposal to carry out their roles effectively. She is responsible for a number of central service functions including, HR, payroll, PR and facilities management. She works alongside our corporate partners, Board and external agencies.

With a background in PR and Marketing, Paula ensures that Empanda’s reputation as a well-respected provider of adult social care services is maintained.

Prior to joining Empanda, Paula was Head of Marketing and Communications with the Flagship Group, where she worked for 22 years.