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Queen’s honours for Citizens Advice Chair of Trustees and Director of Citizens Advice Cymru

17 June 2008

National Charity Citizens Advice is thrilled that two leading figures in the service have been awarded in the Queen’s birthday honours.

The Revd Hilary Watkins, Chair of Trustees has been awarded an MBE "for voluntary service to the Citizens Advice Bureau and to the community in the South West” and Fran Targett, Director of Citizens Advice Cymru has been awarded an OBE “for voluntary service to the Citizens Advice service in Wales.”

Hilary Watkins originally qualified as a solicitor but joined the Citizens Advice service in 1978 and has since held roles as an adviser, bureau manager, bureau trustee board member, Citizens Advice area officer and, for the past five years, as a member of the Citizens Advice Trustee Board. She was elected Deputy Chair in 2003 and Chair in 2004.

She said:

"I feel very privileged to be associated with this great service. I see this honour as recognition for all the work the service does to make life better for the people who come to see us and those who may not visit a bureau but benefit from our policy work."

Fran Targett has been with the service for 29 years and Director of Citizens Advice Cymru since 2000. During that time, she has been a tireless ambassador for the Citizens Advice service in Wales and a respected champion for the whole of the voluntary sector.

She said:

"I am delighted that the Citizens Advice service and all the hard work of dedicated trustees, staff and volunteers in Wales has been recognised by this honour."

David Harker, Citizens Advice Chief Executive said:

"We would like to congratulate Hilary and Fran and take this opportunity to thank them for their commitment to the Citizens Advice service. Both have worked tirelessly working to improve the service available to the two million clients who ask for help every year. Particularly in the midst of a credit crunch these honours are a recognition of the vital importance of the service."

Notes to editors

  1. The Citizens Advice service comprises a network of local bureaux, all of which are independent charities, and national charity Citizens Advice. Together we help people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers. For more information in England and Wales see www.citizensadvice.org.uk
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality. For online advice and information see New windowwww.adviceguide.org.uk
  3. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2.1 million clients on 7.1 million problems from April 2010 to March 2011. For full 2010/2011 service statistics see: www.citizensadvice.org.uk/press_statistics
  4. Out of 22 national charities, the Citizens Advice service is ranked by the general public as being the most helpful, approachable, professional, informative, effective / cost effective, reputable and accountable. (nfpSynergy’s Brand Attributes survey, May 2010).
  5. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,300 service outlets across England and Wales.