ANAPHYLAXIS UK - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- BUSINESS CONSULTANT
- Director
Chris is a Managing Director within the Communications & Media business at Accenture, a global Management & Technology Consultancy. He has extensive experience in driving large scale business and technology transformation in the telecommunications industry. He has a severe nut allergy, and used the Anaphylaxis UK as a young child, which led him to become a trustee of the charity in 2020.
David Reading OBE is a former journalist who co-founded the Anaphylaxis Campaign (now Anaphylaxis UK) after his 17-year-old daughter Sarah died of an allergic reaction to peanuts in October 1993.
David spent 34 years as a writer and editor with various publications across the UK, including a prominent food and drink journal. After the Anaphylaxis Campaign was founded in January 1994, he worked voluntarily for the organisation as its chairman, became part-time director in 1996, and became full-time director in the summer of 1999. He was awarded an OBE for his work in 2005.
David retired from full-time work with the Campaign at the end of 2009.
Alison is a freelance business-management consultant who works across public, charity and private sector companies, in areas of board & executive level engagement, strategy, governance and HR.
Alison became a Trustee of Anaphylaxis UK in 2017 and the Chair in 2021. She has a family member with an allergy to bee/wasp stings. Her business experience provides valuable insights for the development of Anaphylaxis UK. She is committed to supporting the executive team to tackle the severe allergy crisis that faces millions of people across the UK.
Dr Helen Evans-Howells (née Howells) is a GP in Bournemouth. Helen developed an interest in allergies when her eldest son Ethan was born and developed milk and nut allergies. In order to ensure he received the best care she undertook a Master's degree in Allergy at Southampton University. All of Dr Helen's children have various allergies and atopic conditions and so she understands first hand, how hard allergies can be for a family. Dr Helen worked at the University Hospital of Southampton as a GP with an extended role in Allergy for over four years and now helps run their private peanut immunotherapy service (www.peanutallergyclinic.co.uk). She lectures extensively on the subject both nationally and internationally. Dr Helen undertook the role of Chair of the Primary Care Group of the British Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (BSACI) from 2017 to 2020 with the primary aim of improving allergy care for patients like her son.
Dr Helen now runs Dr Helen Allergy (www.drhelenallergy.co.uk)- a private clinic for adults and children in Bournemouth and Dorchester. She provides virtual allergy support calls and consultations and has a free Facebook group where she regularly provides advice for those affected by allergies and eczema. drhelenallergy | Instagram, Facebook | Linktree
Job Titles:
- Director
- MANAGEMENT CONSULTANT
Job Titles:
- Director
- GENERAL PRACTITIONER
Julianne Ponan, CEO of top 14 allergen-free food supplier Creative Nature, is a passionate campaigner and speaker around her personal journey with anaphylaxis and allergies.
At the age of just 22, Julianne founded her company and created a brand to help people just like her. In Julianne's words ‘I'm allergic to everything'.
Her allergies first came to light at nursery. After being given cookies and milk, Julianne collapsed with breathing difficulties and ended up in intensive care. After undergoing tests every six months, it was discovered that Julianne was allergic to all nuts, chickpeas, lentils, lots of perfumes and even oils used in face creams. Throughout her life she has has numerous incidents where she has collapsed due to anaphylaxis and ended up in intensive care.
Julianne's allergies are so severe that she has to be accompanied when walking through the duty-free section of airports, following an incident when she was hospitalised after hugging her father who was wearing a certain aftershave.
Growing up, eating became an issue as there was very little food which was ‘free from'. The majority of food had to be cooked from scratch with every processed ingredient scrutinised for what it contained. This need to be constantly food and drink aware every day of her life inspired Julianne's vision for her company.
In 2020, Julianne is a successful professional speaker, sharing her story across the UK. Last year she was named one of Forbes 30 Under 30s to watch and both she and her company are award winning.
Julianne is now using her platform (follow Julianne on Instagram) to raise awareness around allergies and to be involved with Anaphylaxis UK to effect real change in how society - and law makers - support those living with anaphylaxis.
Julianne was awarded an MBE for her service to business, exports, and people with allergies in the 2023 New Year's Honours List.
Job Titles:
- Head of Finance and Operations
Lesley joined Anaphylaxis UK in 2018 and is responsible for the charity's Finance and Operations.
Having studied with the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants and with a long career of senior finance roles in the private sector, Lesley brings many years of financial experience and expertise to our charity.
Louise has over twenty years of experience of advocacy, campaigning and public affairs within the charity sector. Her work has led to significant legislative and policy changes for the benefit of people and wildlife. Louise has fundraised successfully from a range of sources, led project delivery teams and implemented change within charities. She has a daughter with severe food allergies and is passionately committed to supporting people with anaphylaxis to live well and fulfil their potential.
Job Titles:
- Vice - Chair
- Technical Director for One of the UK
Peter Littleton is currently the Technical Director for one of the UK's leading suppliers of specialist detergents and disinfectants for the food, beverage and dairy industries - Christeyns Food Hygiene Ltd.
In this position, Peter's enthusiasm and commitment has led to an engagement with industry, enforcement and special interest groups to address the issue of consumer safety with regard to the management of food safety and hygiene within food, beverage and dairy manufacturing/processing operations. He was awarded the Society of Food Hygiene Technology's Trainer of the Year Award in 2011.
Peter works extensively with special interest groups, such as Anaphylaxis UK, research organisations, universities and retailers as well as chairing the Processing, Operations and Preservation Member Interest Group at Campden BRI. He is proud to also serve as vice-Chairman of the Society of Food Hygiene Technology.
Richard Wright KC is a barrister who specialises in Criminal and Regulatory Law. He is the Head of Chambers at Park Square Barristers in Leeds, the Leader of the North Eastern Circuit and a Master of the Bench at the[…]
Job Titles:
- Director
- SENIOR TALENT EXECUTIVE
Job Titles:
- Head of Health Policy and Developments
Sarah is a health professional with over 40 years of experience working in the NHS as a Children's Nurse, Health Visitor and latterly as an Executive Director in Community Health Trusts.
Sarah brings a personal perspective of allergies to the Anaphylaxis UK as she has multiple food allergies and carries adrenaline, which enables her to appreciate the physical and psychological aspects of severe allergy and anaphylaxis for both children and their families.
Simon joined the charity at the end of November 2021 having previously worked at HEART UK. Simon has ambitions to grow the charity and help more people with the valuable information and support it offers. LinkedIn[…]
Sue is a qualified accountant and successful leader with 20+ years' board level and senior management experience spanning a range of public, charitable and private sector businesses. She is currently Finance Director at Historic Royal Palaces and prior to that was Director of Resources for a large NHS Mental Health Trust, and was Chair of a successful nationally funded arts foundation.
Sue has lived with a severe nut allergy all her life and understands the anxiety this causes in all aspects of living and is determined to raise awareness of this. She is also a Trustee of The Choral Foundation at The Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace and The Reading Agency.
Taj has a strong background in Marketing with experience in leading teams to shape and deliver business strategy. She gained her Professional Postgraduate Marketing Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and has used her knowledge to support a variety of non-profit organisations. Her daughter suffers from a number of severe allergies and has relied on the Charity to support her and those around her to raise awareness. She has fundraised for Anaphylaxis UK in the past and brings to the Board her passion to support those with allergies by providing active and meaningful support, having experienced first hand the importance of Anaphylaxis UK in the lives of those that live with anaphylaxis.