AT SOCIETY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Advocacy and Support Manager
Anne joined the AT Society in 2015 to work alongside Kay in Family Support. Anne has always worked in health and social care in a variety of roles and has vast experience working within the constraints of the statutory sector. She most recently worked as an Occupational Therapist within a disabled children's team. Living and working abroad for a number of years provided Anne with valuable experience working with people from different cultures and backgrounds. Her compassionate nature and her ability to get things done means that she is a great addition to the Family Support team. In her spare time she loves nothing better than going out walking no matter what the weather! A Northern lass at heart she has a good sense of humour and is partial to spending good old fashioned quality time with her family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Treasurer
- Trustee
- Managing Director of a European
David was born in Edinburgh on 25 July 1966 and died on 28 August 2017. He was only diagnosed with Variant AT in his teens like his brother Andrew. As a boy and young teenager, he enjoyed hill walking with his family and developed a lifelong love of nature - especially birdwatching. He even managed to climb most of the big peaks in the Lake District, including Skiddaw and Helvellyn.
David is Managing Director of a European insulation manufacturing business with operations in the Netherlands, Spain and Ireland. David has a background in finance and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. David appreciates first hand the importance of the wonderful support provided by the AT Society given the help provided to his family since his son was diagnosed with AT in 2018. David wants to help all those affected by AT maximise their quality of life and to support the development of treatments and ultimately a cure in any way possible.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Consultant in Respiratory Paediatrics at Nottingham Children
Dr Jayesh Mahendra Bhatt is a Consultant in Respiratory Paediatrics at Nottingham Children's hospital. He has been privileged to look after children and young people with Ataxia Telangiectasia for over 15 years.
Job Titles:
- Advocacy and Support Coordinator
Emma joined the AT Society in May 2019 as a fundraising intern and she soon proved to be an invaluable member of the team. Emma moved over to the Family Support team just before Christmas and now works alongside Kay and Anne 3 days a week. Before joining the charity Emma worked in a nursery as a Senior Practitioner and lead in SENDCO. Outside of work Emma enjoys going to the gym with her best friend and eating out. She also loves spending time with her family and walking her Welsh Collie dog who she rather dotes on.
Jilly is a qualified pharmacist turned baker. She worked as a pharmacist for 6 years before "retiring" and starting her baking venture, Jilly's Cupcake House. These days, she spends her time taking cake and cupcake orders for occasions and events, with the sole purpose of raising money for the AT Society. When Jilly was invited to join the board she took it as an opportunity to show people that having AT doesn't stop you from doing the things you love. Raising money through Jilly's Cupcake House not only means donations to the Society, but it also means raising awareness about AT, across the U.K. one cupcake at a time.
Jo joined the AT Society in 2020 as the charity's finance officer. Outside of work Jo has two children, two cats and a very energetic puppy to keep her busy. Jo loves seeing friends, reading, going to the theatre and getting out and about in the countryside for walks.
Jo started her career in the travel industry testing and managing database systems and training team members. In 2015 a change in career direction led to Jo joining the AT Society. Jo's in depth knowledge of database systems has been put to good use at the AT Society and her organised nature means the office runs more smoothly. Jo is an avid film buff who loves watching films and taking her young family to the cinema.
Joe's son Winston was diagnosed with AT in 2016 where he and Winston began to benefit from the advice, support and expertise within the AT Society. Joe and his family are active fundraisers for the AT Society and are proud supporters of its mission to improve the lives of those with AT and their families. Joe is a senior manager within local government with a background in managing housing, homelessness and support services as well as a range of other council departments.
Kay started her career in care work where her calm and caring nature made her a hit with the patients and staff. Kay left nursing to join the AT Society in 2001. She has a wealth of knowledge and experience about the condition. Kay provides a listening ear, information about living with AT and practical support of all kinds including advocacy, attending meetings with schools and liaising with doctors and local authorities. Outside of work Kay enjoys spending time with her family and walking her dog. She loves to relax with a hot cup of tea, a good book and a bar of milk chocolate.
After her youngest daughter was diagnosed Lian became aware of the AT Society and contacted them for support and guidance. Lian then started fundraising and assisting where she could in supporting the work of the Society. She was invited to join the Board of Trustees in 2006 and undertook the role of Chairman from 2011-2015. She is passionate about the evolvement of the AT Society and is keen to ensure that the charity is there for every AT family that needs them, provides support and invests in research.
Job Titles:
- Trust & Foundation Fundraising Manager
I bring to the charity 10+ years' experience as a Senior buyer working within the fashion industry for a larger UK retailer. I'm creative, fun, and empathic so when the opportunity of using my skills to raise money for charities came up, I jumped at the chance. It's been five years now within the sector and I haven't looked back once. I love dancing (though I'm not great at it), music and having fun with family and friends. You can usually find me trying to keep fit and running after my three little ones.
Louise Anne Robinson was a amazing, beautiful, funny and courageous woman. She loved butterflies, dolphins, animals and the colour purple. She loved wearing makeup, Jenny her sister would do her makeup and help her choose a fashionable outfit for her if she was going somewhere fancy. She loved handbags, jewelry and smelling lovely.
Her favourite bands were take that, backstreet boys and westlife. She was so sad when Robbie Williams left the band and oh we all knew about it she was heartbroken. She loved her boy bands I think because she fancied them alot!
She struggled so much in life with her AT and her countless other conditions but she still carried on smiling, being positive and being her sassy self. She loved watching horror films the scarier the better, she'd be the one laughing as she'd leave the cinema while everyone else is crying! She was brave, she was amazing and she was so loved. She's missed and loved by Christine and Clifford her parents, her littler sister Jenny and her brother Stuart. She also loved her cats tiger and whiskers and the guinea pigs. Life will never be the same but we always hold her in our hearts and memories always! ♥️
Mike's background is business specialising particularly in Marketing and Communications. He worked at a senior level for Smiths Food Group where he reintroduced the little blue bag of salt into Smiths Crisps, for Cadbury where he was responsible for the launch of Wispa and for Allied Breweries where he negotiated the introduction of Castlemaine XXXX into the UK. Midway through his career he decided to leave corporate life and started his own very successful advertising company, The Creative Business. In the last few years he has devoted much of his efforts to the charity sector and is Chairman of his local MS Society and has also been CEO of a charity working with adults with learning difficulties. Much of his time is now spent as Chairman of his local parish council. Mike has three children and lives in a tiny village in the Chilterns. He enjoys walking his two dogs and has been a season ticket holder of the football club he supports for over sixty years!
Nick worked in the city for over 30 years and is now retired. he received the Freedom of the City in 2006 and is still very much involved in City activities being a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths. When introduced to the Society by a dinner invitation, Nick was so taken by what he learnt about the charity that he offered his services. Nick said "Given the right help and direction, the AT Society can achieve much to support people living with AT, make their lives easier and more comfortable, and help them achieve whatever ambitions they have. It is also very important that families have the help, and support they need, and that the Society has funds to promote research."
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Senior Scientist at the Genome Damage
Penny is a senior scientist at the Genome Damage and Stability Centre, part of the University of Sussex. She has worked on the DNA damage response following exposure to ionising radiation for many years. The protein defective in AT, ATM, lies at the core of this response and so her research, although not focused specifically on ATM, has centred on the cellular processes that involve ATM. Penny is now winding down towards retirement but continues to run a smaller research laboratory. Penny said "I have been amazed by the strength of character and spirit of AT patients and their families and would like to contribute to the AT society at this later stage of my career and as I hope to gain more free time, I hope that my scientific expertise and experience can be of value to the society."
Rachel is a Civil Servant who has worked in HM Treasury, the Cabinet Office, and the Financial Stability Board in Switzerland. She is passionate about the work of the AT Society, which is a charity that has been very close to her family for many years. She spent numerous school holidays stuffing envelopes for the AT Society newsletter, and is excited to now join as a Trustee to help support the Society going forward.
Rob is an academic and clinical neuroradiologist based in the Division of Clinical Neuroscience at the University of Nottingham. He has experience of leading on lots of AT scientific research projects and joins the SAB with a wealth of knowledge in this area.
Job Titles:
- Fundraising and Community Partnerships
I come to the charity with 14 years experience of organising events for the John Lewis Partnership and some charity experience working with the Arthur Rank hospice in Cambridgeshire.
In my spare time I enjoy a good book - especially sitting reading in the garden in the summer. I am a dedicated yogi and can often be found on my mat ….
Job Titles:
- Communications Coordinator
Sophie has a background in psychology but her love of books and reading led her to pursue a career in Publishing. She worked as a Marketing Manager at a large book publisher in London before joining the AT Society fundraising team part-time. Sophie has two young children and a very cute dog. When she is not spending time with her family she still enjoys reading and talking about books.
Job Titles:
- Director of Fundraising and Operations
Susie joined us at the end of April 2019 as our new Head of Fundraising. Susie has a broad range of skills gained from over 20 years' experience in a senior fundraising capacity. She is extremely passionate about working with the AT Society and raising valuable funds so that the vital support the charity provides to children and families can be maintained, and our essential research continues. Susie has three children and outside of work is involved in their different clubs and activities.