Our team of advisers have a wide range of skills and experience that they use to help the jobseekers
Colin Webb – Senior Careers Adviser and Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Colin has a Level 6 Diploma in Career Advice and Guidance and provides specialist support to ex-offenders. Colin previously worked in the pharmaceutical industry. Colin started his career as a researcher for Glaxo, he gained a Doctorate and was responsible for clinical operations in the US for Amgen before becoming their Director of Development for Europe. Colin is Chairman of our Board of Trustees with special responsibility for Human Resources. Colin is a keen gardener and has volunteered with the Millennium Seed Bank at Kew Gardens.
Amanda Hughes – Senior Careers Adviser and Operations Manager
Amanda holds a level 6 qualification in Careers Guidance. Having played a key role in the development of our Job Club, Amanda now offers one to one advice sessions from our Outreach venues and plays a key role in our day to day operations. Amanda is also our Management PA and Secretary to our Board of Trustees having previously worked as a Secretary at an Independent School and also as a PA to the Managing Director of a furniture company in Hertfordshire. In her spare time, Amanda indulges in her love of arts and crafts.
Rachel Wells – Senior Careers Adviser
Rachel graduated from Reading University with a BSc(hons) in Engineering Science. She then went on to pursue a career in IT, culminating in becoming a director of an IT consultancy based in Milton Keynes. During her career, Rachel worked in a variety of companies in various industry sectors including Argos, Nationwide Trust, Barclays, Mothercare and Beiersdorf UK. As director, Rachel was responsible for managing projects and staff recruitment. Having taken a long career break to bring up her sons, she started volunteering with People Matter in 2018 and achieved the Level 6 Diploma in Careers Guidance in 2022.
Sara Williams – Senior Careers Adviser
Sara holds a Level 6 Diploma is Careers Advice and Guidance and returns to People Matter after diversifying to gain experience in the Health Sector. Having worked across Sussex as part of a Community Mental Health Team, Sara takes a person-centred approach with clients who need to be proactive about developing resilience and managing their wellbeing as a vital part of their journey into training and employment. Historically, Sara set up and ran a successful horticultural nursery for 12 years; a love of plants and gardening remains.
Bethany Walker-Evans – Senior Careers Adviser
Bethany holds a Level 6 qualification in Careers Advice and Guidance and provides specialist support to those wishing to return to education or go to University. Having previously worked at East Sussex College and with a background in a variety of sectors including retail and hospitality, Bethany offers one to one sessions from outreach venues and our Head office. In her spare time, Bethany is a fan of all things horror, films and the outdoors.
Amanda Davis – Careers Adviser
Amanda is currently studying level 4 in Information Advice and Guidance. With a background in beauty and wellbeing, Amanda became a senior therapist, mostly enjoying aroma therapy and complementary therapies. She now wants to bring her person-centred approach to a new role as a client adviser, utilising her skills by offering specialist advice. Amanda is creative, in her spare time she likes to do pencil sketches favouring butterflies and anything botanical.
Ray Dadswell – Adviser/Tutor
Ray uses his skills as a listener and encourager in his role as an Adviser and Tutor at People Matter. Ray previously lived and worked in South East Asia for 13 years and now teaches English to adult students from overseas. Ray specialises in supporting jobseekers from abroad. In his spare time, Ray helps to run the Eastbourne International Café and is Chaplain to the Eastbourne Theatres and to the Eastbourne Air Training Corps.