ASA is the umbrella body for independent advice services in the UK.
Our members are national networks of not-for-profit organisations providing advice and help on the law, access to services and related issues.
ASA staff
(Left-to-right: Marie Burton, Ruth Hayes (Chair), Lindsey Poole, John Edwards, in November 2025)
Lindsey Poole, Director
Lindsey Poole has been the Director of the Advice Services Alliance for over 10 years. Prior to this, she held roles both within the advice sector and in pro bono organisations. She began her career in the advice sector volunteering for a local Citizens Advice. She has held many different roles within the sector including chairing Board of Trustees and working for two of the advice networks. She is particularly keen on partnership working, improving the quality and availability of advice for the public, as well as championing the use of research and evidence in advice giving.
Dr Marie Burton, Deputy Director
Dr Marie Burton is Deputy Director at ASA. She manages the areas of Quality and Projects. Marie has nearly 40 year’s experience in the field of access to justice. Her career has spanned policy development, frontline legal practice and academic research and publications.
John Edwards, Project Manager, Advice Quality Standard Access Pathway
John joined ASA in September 2025. He has many years of experience in the advice sector – first as an adviser and manager in local Citizens Advice Bureaux, then at Age UK where he developed Age UK’s information and advice quality standards, and led Age UK’s national Advice Line. He has also worked at Macmillan Cancer Support, supporting local welfare rights provision and hospital information centres. John was an ASA board member for many years, including a period as chair. He is delighted to be back involved with ASA and supporting more advice providers to quality assure their services.
Ruth Stokes, Business Support, Communications and Events Manager
Ruth joined in July 2026 from the Norfolk Community Advice Network, where she developed campaigns by and for the local advice sector. She has 15 years’ experience in communications and events in the charity sector, including roles at Amnesty International UK and the Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants. At the ASA, she leads on communications and events, and supports members. She is particularly interested in how the advice sector can spotlight individual stories to reveal wider injustices and build a case for change.
Trustees
- Ruth Hayes (Independent) – Chair
- John Roberts (Independent) – Treasurer
- Martin Barnes (Independent)
- Kani Kundu (Independent)
- James Sandbach (Independent)
- Taylan Sahbas (Independent)
- Sabrina Dubash (Independent)
- Julie Bishop (LCN Member Rep)
- Cassandra Harrison (Youth Access Member Rep)
- Alasdair Stewart (Age UK Member Rep)
- Rebecca Chan (Citizens Advice Member Rep)
- Edlira Alku (Trussell Member Rep)
- Zubaida Haque, for Sarah MacFayden (AdviceUK Member Rep)
Patron
Lord Low of Dalston