Trustees
Gloucestershire Counselling Service (GCS) is a thriving charity providing training and counselling services to the communities of Gloucestershire. Our headquarters are in the centre of Stroud which has been home to GCS since our inception in 1978. We deliver counselling services both from our counselling rooms based around the county and remotely as well as training in counselling skills and counselling qualifications.
Meet our Trustees
sam clark-stone
Chair
Sam Clark-Stone is a highly accomplished mental health professional with a remarkable 44-year career in psychiatry and a background as a mental health nurse, Sam brings extensive experience and expertise to his role. He currently serves as the Lead Clinician for the Gloucestershire all-age Eating Disorders Service, showcasing his specialized knowledge in this critical area. Sam actively engages with the mental health community, including his involvement in the Co-Counselling community in Bristol and group therapy. His leadership and organizational skills, along with his national positions such as Chair of the British Eating Disorders Society, contribute to enhancing mental health services and improving treatment outcomes.
Nigel Brabbins
Treasurer
Nigel Brabbins brings a a wealth of commercial business expertise to GCS. With a career spanning 35 years, Nigel has held executive positions in various industries and demonstrated his leadership abilities. His background includes executive roles in logistics, distribution, promotional merchandise, security services, and IT/software companies, where he specialized in leveraging new technologies for service delivery. Nigel’s experience in utilizing technology to improve service delivery aligns with GCS’s mission of providing accessible and effective counselling services. As a Chartered Director and Fellow of the Institute of Directors, Nigel’s governance and leadership expertise are valuable assets in his role as a Trustee.
john diamond
trustee
John has joined the GCS Board of Trustees in 2024.
His bio will be updated shortly.
Jim Laidlaw
Trustee
Jim qualified in medicine from the University of Edinburgh in 1989. After Junior Doctor training, he qualified in psychiatry and has worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist in Gloucestershire since 1997. Later in his career, he worked in a variety of medical management roles before retiring, as an Associate Medical Director, in early 2020. Since then he has returned to work part time for the local NHS as well as running a consultancy business and undertaking other medical roles.
Jim is an advocate for counselling and brings to GCS a broad knowledge of mental illness, an understanding of the local NHS and experience in clinical governance.
Rachel Poynor
Trustee
Rachel Poynor has over a decade of experience in the charity sector. Her roles in project management, service development, and fundraising have spanned various causes, including end-of-life care, criminal justice, homelessness, and eating disorders. Rachel’s first-hand training and personal experiences have given her a deep understanding of the transformative power of counselling. She is also passionate about developing robust monitoring and evaluation processes in charitable organisations.
Edward Weir
Trustee
Edward Weir brings with him a diverse background in the public and charity sectors. Currently serving as the Strategic Business Manager for Severn Health Primary Care Network, Edward brings a wealth of expertise in strategy, operations, and people management. His previous role as a Director at the Royal College of Physicians showcased his exceptional abilities in driving organisational growth and efficiency. Edward’s training as a systems psychodynamic Executive Coach gives him a unique perspective on organizational dynamics. He resides in Stroud with his family and is deeply committed to supporting the GCS and its vital work.
Hannah Lim
Trustee
With a career of more than two decades spanning several government departments, Hannah is a dedicated Civil Servant. An experienced Director, she specialises in leading large teams delivering cutting edge technologies. Hannah is passionate about inclusion, diversity and equity. Dedicated to employee wellbeing and with personal experience of counselling, she is a strong supporter of GCS’s mission to provide affordable counselling. Having held board positions in two other organisations she is excited to be bringing her experience to GCS as a Trustee.