Carers Trust appoints Kate Cubbage as Director for Wales in trio of new hires

Carers Trust is delighted to have appointed Kate Cubbage as its new Director for Wales, the latest in a series of senior hires who will help deliver the charity’s refreshed strategy.

Kate, who will start on 9 May, has a broad range of senior experience in the charity sector with a strong track record of developing effective relationships with high-level decision makers across the Welsh Government, local authorities, education organisations and local health boards.

Since 2021 she has worked at BookTrust where she is the Head of External Affairs (UK) and National Director for Wales, influencing the Welsh Government’s approach to improving vulnerable children’s access to books. Before that she worked at Carers Trust as its Head of External Affairs (Wales).

Alongside her professional roles, Kate is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, a member of Wales Advisory Board for the National Deaf Children’s Society and a trustee of Bridgend Carers Centre.

She will replace Simon Hatch who is leaving Carers Trust to join Citizens Advice Cymru as its Director. Catrin Edwards, currently Head of External Affairs (Wales), will be Interim Director for Wales until Kate’s arrival.

Kate said:

“It is an absolute privilege to have been appointed as Carers Trust’s new Director for Wales, an organisation dedicated to improving the lives of unpaid carers across the UK. Without the significant contribution of unpaid carers, the health and social care system would collapse. Despite this, too often unpaid carers do not receive the recognition they deserve, or the support they need to live financially secure, healthy and fulfilling lives.

“I am ambitious in my commitment to ensuring that unpaid carers are better heard and valued and that high-quality local carer services are properly invested in. As a major charity for, with and about carers, Carers Trust, in partnership with local carer organisations, has unrivalled potential to transform the lives of unpaid carers. I am delighted to have the opportunity to be a part of making that happen.”

Kate’s appointment follows several other new arrivals at the charity, with Alex Roberts joining in the new role of Director of Network & Innovation.

Alex has extensive experience in making social change happen through both funders and charity delivery. She joined from the National Lottery Heritage Fund where she was Head of Innovation and New Business. Prior to that, she was at Mind for over a decade driving and shaping the charity’s network evolution as a Network Development Manager and then as Head of Business Development.

She said:

“I’m excited to have joined Carers Trust and am looking forward to working alongside our network of local carer organisations to support, develop and champion the impact our collective work makes for unpaid carers. I recognise both unpaid carers and the vital local organisations who support them are facing significant challenges as a result of the wider operating environment. My background is in supporting mission driven growth across both funding, infrastructure and membership organisations and I’m committed to working alongside and learning from the network who together deliver crucial services for unpaid carers within local communities across the UK.” 

As announced last month, Becky Duff is also joining Carers Trust on 27 March as the new Director for Scotland. Becky joins from Edinburgh youth mental health charity U-evolve where she has been CEO since 2020.

The three director-level appointments follow Carers Trust’s launch of Building a Caring Society, an ambitious new strategy to deliver lasting change for unpaid carers and the network of support organisations they rely on.

Carers Trust’s CEO, Kirsty McHugh, said:

“We’re over the moon to welcome Kate Cubbage back to Carers Trust where she will lead our fantastic Wales team. Throughout the recruitment process her commitment to unpaid carers and the local carer organisations who support them shone through.

“Alongside Kate, we’re also delighted to welcome two new Directors to Carers Trust. Alex Roberts will be using her experience to drive forward our work with local carer organisations, whilst Becky’s insight will be vital in leading our team in Scotland. All three are going to play a huge role in implementing our refreshed strategy and delivering transformative change for unpaid family carers.”