Siân Summers-Rees has served as Chief Officer of City of Sanctuary since October 2016. She came to the role after working as Director for Wales for the Community Transport Association UK and after over 8 years as the Chief Officer of Displaced People in Action, a charity helping refugees and people seeking asylum integrate into their new lives in Wales since 2001.
Siân studied law as an undergraduate and then went on to complete the postgraduate diploma in legal practice. She worked for a small period for Hugh James Solicitors in family, child care and criminal law before realising her passion for the third sector. Siân went on to work for two Race Equality Councils as a Race Discrimination Caseworker. She dealt with cases of discrimination in the areas of employment, services and harassment. Her experience in equality matters was further cemented by working to support a solicitor at the Commission for Racial Equality. Siân then went on to work for the Welsh Refugee Council for three years before moving on to become the Chief Officer of Displaced People in Action. As a Chief Officer of a small refugee charity her role was varied and included working on policy and strategy as well as project management. Also during her time in the refugee sector she developed experience of training in equality, diversity and refugee awareness. Siân has also served as a trustee for Asylum Justice and is also a qualified OISC Level One Adviser.