Area Planning Board Support Team

Anita Lindsay

Clinical Governance & Quality Improvement Lead – Substance Use Services

Anita was appointed as Clinical Governance & Quality Improvement Lead for Cardiff and Vale Substance Use Services in April 2022.

Anita has over 20 years’ experience of working for Cardiff and Vale University Health Board Substance Use Services.

Anita qualified as a Professional Mental Health Nurse in 2008 after successfully securing a Cardiff and Vale funded initiative to complete her nurse training. Prior to this, Anita was employed as a Health Care Support Worker within Cardiff and Vale Substance Use Services.

During her career, Anita has worked in a variety of roles within Substance Use Services and strives to ensure the highest quality of patient care is delivered with the best achievable outcomes for individuals accessing support and treatment.

Anita has gained extensive knowledge and experience throughout her career within Substance Use Services.

Caroline Alford

Business Manager: Cardiff & Vale APB Support Team and Commissioning

Caroline took up the position of Commissioning Business Manager in January 2025.

She previously worked in the Arts and Education sector for over 18 years, holding a variety of roles including project management, producing, and administrative management.

Caroline holds a degree in English with Education and a Postgraduate Diploma in Arts Management. She also recently obtained the PRINCE2 Project Management Certification (Foundation and Practitioner).

Caryl Watkins

Head of Substance Use Strategy, Partnerships and Commissioning

Caryl was appointed as Head of Substance Use Strategy, Partnerships and Commissioning in 2024.

Prior to joining the NHS, Caryl worked in the prison service for 14 years, in a variety of roles closely associated with drug addiction and recovery, and offender management.

Caryl completed her MSt in Applied Criminology, Penology and Management from Cambridge University and BSc in Psychology with Criminology from University of South Wales.

Caryl is passionate about understanding the experiences of those using drugs and the role peers can have in supporting recovery and has worked with several researchers to publish journal articles related to these topics.

Caryl works closely with a variety of organisations committed to reducing the harms caused by substances and aspires to eradicate the stigma associated with substance use.

Gareth Morgan

Commissioning Manager – Substance Misuse Harm Reduction and Intelligence

Gareth joined the APB Support Team as Commissioning Manager in Substance Misuse Harm Reduction and Intelligence in 2020. His current areas of focus include reducing fatal and non-fatal drug poisonings and preventing drug related infections (including blood borne viruses). Prior to joining the team, Gareth has gained extensive experience of the substance use arena, through working across a variety of organisations/teams at a national and local level. These include roles specialising in health protection, children and young people, homelessness, criminal justice and assertive outreach.

Gareth is passionate about reducing inequalities and harms linked to substance use, and approaches aimed at reducing stigma and promoting inclusion.

Lawrie Lloyd

Commissioning Support Assistant for the Area Planning

I have been a member of the APB Support Team for two and a half years. This is my first role within a corporate setting, and during this time I have developed a wide range of skills and gained valuable insight into Substance Use and the commissioning of related services.

My day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Preparing agendas and minutes for the governance subgroups I support

• Scheduling meetings and managing diaries for the team

• Ordering Naloxone kits and DBST kits on behalf of services within Cardiff and Vale.

Leanne Bruford

Commissioning Manager – Substance use Contracts

I have worked in the substance use field for more than thirty years, holding a range of operational, strategic, and commissioning roles across England and Wales. Over this time, I have developed extensive experience in service development, partnership working, and system leadership within complex health and social care environments.

Throughout my career, I have been driven by a strong commitment to improving outcomes for individuals, families, and communities affected by substance use. I am passionate about ensuring that services are accessible, person centred, evidence informed, and—above all—designed to deliver what is genuinely best for people.

My work has focused on refining service models, strengthening governance and accountability, and supporting effective strategic planning across the substance use system. I have consistently championed approaches that prioritise quality, equity, and meaningful outcomes.

With decades of operational and strategic experience and a deep understanding of substance use systems and a passion for co produced approaches, I bring a people centred, partnership driven perspective to the Public Health Team, committed to delivering services that are truly best for people.