DEMENTIA UK - Key Persons
Adelle Tracey, semi-finalist in the 1500m at the 2022 World Championships, is the first ever Challenge Events Ambassador for Dementia UK. Adelle's role will see her supporting a range of training days and events to inspire and motivate our team of new and existing challenge event fundraisers.
Commenting on her new role, Adelle said: "I am so pleased to be invited to become the first Challenge Events Ambassador for Dementia UK. This is a cause very close to my heart having seen the devastating impact of dementia on my own family, including on my grandmother, who had a terrible time as a result of the condition.
"I'm hoping to encourage more people to take on future challenge events for Dementia UK and will be providing training tips and support to those who are continuing to train for the charity's postponed running events. The charity needs to raise vital funds now more than ever to provide more Admiral Nurses for people living with dementia and I'm delighted to be able to help them do just that."
If you need information, advice and support with any aspect of dementia, please don't hesitate to get in touch with one of our dementia specialist Admiral Nurses - we're here to support you.
Job Titles:
- Director of Dementia UK Trading Limited
Bill worked in the retail industry for nearly 30 years in senior leadership and board level roles for Pick ‘n Pay, Safeway, Morrisons and Poundworld. These roles included a wide range of positions across operations, trading and strategy development.
More recently Bill has gained experience in the leisure and tourism sector, having been the Managing Director of one of the top attractions and historic gardens in The Lakes.
Bill now advises an estate and sits on the board of their farm shop business, as well as being a School Governor of a school in North Yorkshire.
In addition to being a Board Trustee for Dementia UK, Bill is also a Director of Dementia UK Trading Limited.
David has a career of over 25 years spanning financial services, retail, fast-moving consumer goods and telecommunications. He is currently Group Chief Operating Officer for Wesleyan, a mutual which provides financial and insurance services for doctors, dentists and teachers. David is proud to also be the executive sponsor of Wesleyan's Equality, Diversity and Inclusion agenda.
Before joining Wesleyan, David spent over 10 years at Lloyds Banking Group. Prior to joining Lloyds, David worked for Asda, Mars and Phones4U. This broad experience has been the foundation for David's passion to deliver lasting change which benefits customers and colleagues.
David is a graduate of Oxford University and has a PhD in Chemistry. In addition to his executive responsibilities, David is performing a Non-Exec role as Co-Chair of the Fintech cluster as part of West Midlands SuperTech - the UK's only tech supercluster with the purpose of driving opportunity and growth in the region.
David has seen first hand the terrible impact that dementia has had on members of his family, and how desperate it can be without adequate care, support and guidance being available. David is delighted to be a member of the Board of Dementia UK to support the outstanding work we do to help families in similar situations to his own up and down the country.
Actress Emma, whose late uncle was diagnosed with vascular dementia, has experienced how dementia affects families as well as those living with the condition and she has been supporting the charity over the past year.
Emma took part in the charity's Time for a Cuppa campaign recreating famous ‘celebri-tea movie moments' alongside a number of other celebrity supporters. In the fun photo-shoot, Emma appeared as the iconic Holly Golightly from Breakfast At Tiffany's - a role she had always wanted to play.
Speaking of her new appointment, Emma explained ‘I'm really proud of my new role as official supporter for Dementia UK. Having lost my uncle and more recently a dear friend and colleague to dementia, it feels very right to be able to support the charity in an official capacity.'
Emma continues; ‘The pandemic has caused so many additional issues for families struggling with dementia and I'm looking forward to being able to promote the work of the charity's extraordinary Admiral Nurses, who are needed now more than ever.'
Em's dad, the mighty Alan, lived with Young Onset Alzheimer's. Alan and his family's long (and not entirely successful) battle to secure accurate diagnosis and age-appropriate support inspired her to become involved with Young Dementia UK where she was a Trustee for two years before the merger with Dementia UK. Em is driven by the belief that people experiencing dementia at a younger age (and their families) require specialist care and support.
Gavin leads PwC's global Energy, Utilities and Resources Advisory business. Additionally, he leads PwC's UK Energy consulting practice and manages some of PwC's largest global client relationships. He has over 25 years experience in organisational change and is focussed on helping companies, countries and cities transform to meet the challenges of an increasing demand for Energy with NetZero emissions.
Gavin has considerable international experience having managed, coached and worked with many global leadership teams. He combines his commercial background as a Chartered Accountant with his qualifications at Oxford and HEC in organisational change.
Gavin has held various charitable Trustee roles for 10+ years in charities including SkillForce, Shelter and NSPCC. He is passionate about helping share learning in both directions between the private and charity sectors.
Georgia is one of the cast members on ITVBe's The Only Way is Essex, where she is a firm favourite along with boyfriend Tommy Mallet.
Georgia, whose grandmother is living with dementia, has seen first-hand how it affects families as well as those living with the condition and has been supporting the charity over the past year.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Member of the Senior Leadership Team
Hilda has been the Chief Admiral Nurse and Chief Executive Officer for Dementia UK since 2013. A dual registered nurse she has over 39 years' experience developing and leading dementia specialist teams and services throughout the NHS.
During this time, Hilda has held senior positions in clinical services, hospital management and higher education. She held Principal Lecturer posts at both London South Bank University and University of Northampton, specialising in older people's mental health, dementia and community care. She is a visiting fellow of dementia studies at the University of Northampton.
Hilda is particularly proud of setting up a nurse-led Younger People with Dementia service in Northamptonshire and still retains a small clinical caseload of families living with the effects of young onset dementia. Her doctorate focused on how and why social connectedness changes in families living with the effects of behavioural variant frontotemporal dementia.
She has recently published a book, along with two other colleagues, on young onset dementia, identifying how to deliver better and more appropriate support and care for individuals with the diagnosis and their families.
Jane is the Founder Trustee of Dementia UK. When her father Joseph Levy was diagnosed with vascular dementia Jane, recognising the effect on families, was determined to improve understanding of the carer's experience.
Our Honorary President, Jane Jason OBE, is the Founder Trustee of Dementia UK.
Having met when they both had spouses in care living with dementia, John Suchet OBE and Nula Suchet have worked hard to raise awareness for the impact the condition can have on partners and relationships. In addition to charity work and public speaking, both have published books on the subject and spoken candidly about their experiences.
A much-loved television and radio presenter with a passion for classical music, John has discussed his experience of dementia honestly - helping to shine a light on the way it changes relationships as the condition progresses. When John's wife Bonnie was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer's disease in 2006 he was able to access the practical and emotional support of one of Dementia UK's Admiral Nurses, and John has worked hard to advocate for increased access to Admiral Nurses since then, working with Dementia UK to launch our Admiral Nurse Academy and supporting other initiatives and campaigns.
When TV director James, husband of artist and writer Nula, was diagnosed with Pick's Disease in 2004, Nula struggled to find appropriate support for people with a spouse living with dementia in her area, and has spoken bravely about the challenges she faced in trying to look after James, as well as her experience of taking the difficult decision to place him in care.
We are delighted to have John and Nula's support as we grow our network of Admiral Nurses, and their efforts to raise awareness for the importance of post-diagnostic support and Admiral Nursing will be invaluable.
Jim Broadbent is a much-loved theatre, film and television actor, best known for his roles in Iris, Moulin Rouge, and the international phenomenon, the Harry Potter franchise.
Jim won an Academy Award and a Golden Globe Award for his portrayal of John Bayley in the film Iris, a depiction of the relationship between John and novelist Iris Murdoch, throughout their youth and then into older age, as Iris slowly succumbs to Alzheimer's disease.
Jim received a Royal Television Award and BAFTA nomination for his leading performance in Any Human Heart (based on William Boyd's novel of the same name). His work on the stage has seen him appear in acclaimed productions ranging from Our Friends in the North by Peter Flannery at the RSC Pit and Habeas Corpus by Alan Bennett at The Donmar.
Jim presented a BBC Lifeline Appeal on BBC1 for Dementia UK in 2018, in which he spoke movingly about his own mother's experience of dementia, as well as highlighting the life-changing support that our specialist nurses are able to offer families facing dementia - in communities, GP practices, hospitals, care homes and hospices, and on the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline.
Judy Parfitt is an accomplished film, television and stage actor, well known to audiences most recently for her role as Sister Monica Joan in the BBC's long-running historical drama Call the Midwife, a character who is depicted experiencing the early stages of dementia.
Judy has had a long and distinguished film career. She played Lady Mount-Temple in the 1997 Oscar Wilde biopic Wilde, with Stephen Fry playing the titular character. She is twice BAFTA nominated: for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for playing Maria Thins in the 2003 film Girl with a Pearl Earring, and for Best TV Actress for The Jewel in The Crown.
She has appeared in a stream of illustrious British television staples, from The Avengers, Dixon of Dock Green, Midsomer Murders, Heartbeat, Jonathan Creek and Marple.
Judy's support for Dementia UK has been invaluable, with appearances on ITV's Loose Women, to promote the charity's annual fundraiser Time for a Cuppa, encouraging people to put the kettle on and raise more money for dementia specialist Admiral Nurses.
Lorelei King has appeared in films such as Notting Hill, House of Mirth and, as the voice of Muther, Alien: Covenant. She has played regular and recurring characters in popular British television shows such as Chef, Cold Feet, and Emmerdale.
A multi-award-winning audio book narrator, she is one of the first inductees into Audible's ‘Narrator Hall of Fame'. Once described as ‘the best known American voice on Radio 4', Lorelei has recorded more than 200 programmes for the BBC. She is co-founder of the digital publishing company, Creative Content Ltd., which recently published her first book (co-written with Ali Muirden), Storyteller: How to be an Audio Book Narrator.
Lorelei has been one of Dementia UK's longest standing celebrity supporters, speaking candidly about her own experiences of her late husband's diagnosis of dementia. Lorelei can be found tweeting at @LoreleiKing.
Job Titles:
- Partner at Manchester Square Partners
Mark Stroyan is a Partner at Manchester Square Partners. Mark works with Executive Directors, Board Members and leaders of Professional Services firms as a sounding board and career management mentor. He supports leaders in making critical decisions and has a particular expertise in succession planning. Mark is also an accredited mediator helping clients to navigate differences in the workplace.
Prior to joining Manchester Square Partners, Mark was the UK and then European Managing Partner of Spencer Stuart, one of the world's leading executive search firms. Mark was also an elected member of Spencer Stuart's Global Board of Directors and led various important initiatives on firm governance. Mark is a qualified Solicitor and spent his early career as a finance lawyer with a leading city law firm.
Mark is a graduate of St Andrews University, the College of Law and the London School of Mediation. He was Chairman of the Governors of Aysgarth Preparatory School in North Yorkshire and is currently a Governor of Harrow School. He is also a Trustee of the John Lyon Foundation, an education and grant giving charity.
Job Titles:
- Director of People and Organisational Development
- Specialist in Human Resources
Nando joined Dementia UK in October 2022 from the Royal College of Psychiatrists. In a career spanning over 20 years, he has worked for organisations such as Macmillan Cancer Support, Leonard Cheshire Disability and the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
Nando is a specialist in Human Resources, having worked in the field for nearly two decades in both generalist and specialist roles. During this time Nando has held senior roles delivering transformational change to people services. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development as well as a Member of the British Psychological Society.
Nando's team ensures that Dementia UK's staff receive gold standard HR services and support, enabling the charity to recruit, retain and engage people who are passionate about supporting families affected by dementia.
Nando's focus is on ensuring that the charity delivers cost-effective people solutions that help to transform and enhance our HR services so that Dementia UK is seen as an employer of choice by current and future staff.
Job Titles:
- Director of Clinical Services
- Nurse
Paul joined Dementia UK in March 2018. Prior to joining the charity Paul had over 20 years' experience working in health and social care.
Paul is a nurse who specialises in dementia care and has worked across the NHS, academia and the independent sector. He is responsible for the development, governance and growth of clinical services.
Paul's team helps ensure that the latest, evidenced approaches are embedded into the practice of our Admiral Nurses and that services are run to provide safe and effective care and support to people with dementia and their families.
Paul's focus is on ensuring that there are robust governance processes in place to continually develop services and practice; and that new Admiral Nurses services are developed and supported clinically. Paul's team also promotes awareness of Dementia UK and it services to commissioners, clinicians and policy leaders across health and social care.
Philippa worked in the City of London as an Investment Manager/Director for many years at Robert Fleming Investment Management, and also at Henderson Administration. Her particular area of expertise was Emerging Markets. Taking time out to look after her growing family, she trained as a garden designer, raised funds for a local school and cared for her parents, one of whom had dementia.
She is a qualified financial advisor and works as a consultant helping clients navigate their way through the world of investment management. She is a Governor and member of the Finance Committee of a local boys' school and is a Trustee on the Development Committee of an independent girls' school.
Phyllis Logan is one of the most recognisable faces on British television, having starred as Lady Jane Felsham for eight years in the BBC's much-loved antiques comedy drama, Lovejoy, before becoming synonymous with another British classic, Downton Abbey, in which she rules the roost as housekeeper Mrs Carson, nee Hughes.
Phyllis won a BAFTA for most promising newcomer in 1983, for her role as a young Scottish married woman who embarks upon an affair, in the emotional drama Another Time, Another Place. She has numerous other film credits to her name, including Nativity! and the Mike Leigh classic Secrets and Lies.
Phyllis has appeared on television multiple times to promote Dementia UK's Admiral Nurse Helpline and our Time for a Cuppa fundraiser - each time causing a huge spike in calls. She is a passionate supporter of Dementia UK, having witnessed her mother's struggles with a cognitive impairment and her mother-in-law's difficulty following a diagnosis of dementia.
Steve has extensive Board level experience as an NHS Finance Director and Deputy Chief Executive.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive
- Chief Executive of the Royal College of Speech
An experienced chief executive and senior health leader, Steve Jamieson is currently Chief Executive of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. He was previously CEO at the Royal College of Podiatry, where he led the organisation to attain Royal College status.
Prior to this Steve was CEO of The Hospice of St Francis in Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire, where he was instrumental in guiding the organisation successfully through a period of change and development resulting in the hospice receiving an outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission.
A nurse by profession and a prominent nursing leader, Steve was Director of Nursing at the Royal College of Nursing (RCN) and was responsible for leading on the RCN's professional nursing agenda, and delivering its mission to represent nurses and nursing, promote excellence in practice and shape health policies. Prior to working at the RCN Steve held senior nursing posts at St Thomas Hospital and Kings College Hospital London.
Steve's distinguished professional career includes roles as the President of the European Association of Nurses in AIDS Care and working as part of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) and World Health Organisation on projects relating to HIV/AIDS. He is a Trustee of Dementia UK and Dementia Adventure Trust and a former vice chair of the Board of Trustees at the Sussex Beacon Hospice in Brighton.
A key player in health and social care policy and practice Steve has made significant changes in the delivery of health policy both nationally and internationally, presented keynote addresses at national and international events and has published widely including book chapters, forewords and articles in respected health care journal.
Steve is Chair of Dementia UK Clinical Committee.
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance and Corporate Services
Suruchi joined the Senior Leadership Team in July 2022. She has more than 20 years of experience working as a finance professional. She has been involved in developing and implementing financial strategy and financial planning in senior roles. She has previously worked in some prestigious organisations such as Royal Opera House, Mind and Zoological Society of London.
Suruchi is responsible for leading on all strategic financial and compliance aspects for Dementia UK. She holds overall responsibility for internal and external audit, risk management, IT, procurement, and overseeing the financial governance within the charity.
In her role, she works closely with the CEO/Chief Admiral Nurse, Executive team peers and with the Board to ensure statutory and regulatory compliance and plays an active role in developing the long-term view of financial operations to deliver financial stability.