IDENTITY - Key Persons
Anne has worked in finance for more years than she'd like to discuss, the last five being in the charitable sector. Animals have been a constant in her life, horses, dogs, cats, chickens and various small rodents owned by her now grown-up daughters. Her current companions are an American Quarter Horse and a whippet, both of whom can run a lot faster than she can. She hopes that one day the whippet will be as well-trained as the horse. She also writes very short fiction and eats more sweet things than she should.
Carla has wanted to help change the world since she was 12 when she had an epiphany in Cambridge Sainsbury's that meant she would never again eat animals. She thinks big, draws badly and eats less vegan chocolate cake than she would like.
Carol Royle - leading actor on the stage and screen and champion of animal rights - has been a patron of Animal Free Research UK for decades. ‘Do unto others as you would have done to yourself' is Carol's guiding philosophy in life, which she wholeheartedly extends to animals.
Daniel is an experienced Chartered Accountant who has worked at senior strategic levels in the private and public sectors. He has been involved with local charities for some time as well as serving as a school governor. An ardent animal lover from birth and a vegetarian for over 35 years, he is now striving to go vegan.
Darcie has spent the last few years supporting teams and individuals in charities and on INGO consultancies and is excited to be a part of the great team at Animal Free Research UK. Prior to her work in charities, she worked in both the finance sector in London and as an English teacher in Vietnam. She has always been an animal-lover, with her family home housing many rescue dogs over the years (8 at once at one point...), and her current favourite pastime is watching her cat be very weird. She enjoys cooking vegan food, running (almost!) every day, and is a regular gig-goer.
I am proud to support Animal Free Research UK (formerly the Dr Hadwen Trust), working to secure a future in which no animal will be abused in the name of science. The charity demonstrates that medical progress can actually be enhanced by the elimination of inapposite research using animals. By pledging your support, you could help Animal Free Research UK fund even more projects into human health-related research which will benefit all of us, as well as replacing the use of animals in experiments.
With over 25 years of experience in the field, Jarrod leads our scientific strategy at Animal Free Research UK. After receiving his degree and Ph.D. in genetics from his hometown Newcastle University, he has spent much of his career evaluating the scientific validity and human relevance of animal experiments in many areas of biomedical research and drug testing, and promoting the use of human-specific research methods in their place. Nowadays, Jarrod lives in a quiet corner of Northumberland with his wife, daughter, border terrier, wire fox terriers, part-Scottish wild cat (!), and chickens.
As Science Manager, Lilas supports Jarrod in delivering our scientific strategy at Animal Free Research UK. After completing engineering school and a PhD in cancer research, she decided to leave academia to be part of a more meaningful job, supporting animal-free research science. Lilas is very curious, loves animals (especially cats and horses), nature, outdoor sports, culture and is always keen to speak for hours about how we can fight injustice and make this world a better place.
Job Titles:
- Consultant in Palliative Medicine
Martin has been a consultant in Palliative Medicine for 14 years. Prior to that he worked as a GP, specialising in health care for homeless people. He has always been a keen advocate for evidence-based medicine and realised the urgent need for science to adopt human relevant research at medical school. He has been vegetarian since 16 and vegan for eight years.
"I am delighted to be a trustee of Animal Free Research UK. They are key in helping to drive the change away from the misleading use of animals in research for human disease, to human relevant methods. Ultimately this will be of benefit to my patients and animals alike".
Job Titles:
- Research Scientist
- Science Projects & Communications Officer
As someone who loves science and is passionate about animal welfare, Stephanie is excited to be working for Animal Free Research UK. She has rescued and rehomed many animals including numerous degus over many years and currently owns a retired greyhound who has decided that retirement means sleeping a lot.
Stephanie has worked as a research scientist, a science communicator and a secondary school science teacher and has concluded that animals are generally much easier to control than school children. In her free time, Stephanie likes to sketch, read biographies and spend time with her furry and non-furry family who are helping her to improve her knowledge of dinosaurs and Star Wars.
Job Titles:
- Donor Development & Fundraising Manager
Elise has worked in the charity sector for many years, having most recently been at Diabetes UK and UNICEF Australia in their fundraising departments. A life-long animal lover, Elise enjoys sunny autumn days, long walks across the South Downs and oat milk flat whites.
Hikmot's background is in copywriting and copyediting, primarily for market research and financial organisations. Whilst she has only worked within the charity sector for a short time, she has always been keen on working with an organisation that aligns with her beliefs and Animal Free Research UK is that! Hikmot enjoys cooking, baking, rainy days - literally, and believes laughter is the best cure for many ailments.
Job Titles:
- Projects & Performance Manager
Imogen has a varied role at the charity managing a variety of strategic projects and helping to improve performance across the team. She adores all animals but has a particular affinity with felines, see here pictured with her loveable cat, Mabes, who sometimes makes an appearance on calls.
Job Titles:
- Director of Public Affairs
Isobel is absolutely passionate about helping animals and making the world a kinder place, and worked at Animal Aid for seven years before her current role. She started out doing an internship at Four Paws, and studied French and Italian at university (taking the opportunity to volunteer at some animal sanctuaries while on her year abroad). Outside of work, she loves sewing, running, cycling and of course cooking and eating delicious vegan food!
Job Titles:
- Supporter Engagement & Marketing Manager
Jess had worked in the charity events industry for 4 years before taking her step into Animal Free Research UK, where she is excited to work with compassionate people and be part of a pioneering charity. Jess loves to explore the world and climb mountains (but not so much the upward climb!). She also has a deep love for pick 'n' mix and musicals.
Throughout a high-profile career that has made her one of the most valued and loved personalities in UK entertainment, Joanna Lumley OBE has tirelessly championed many animal causes and has been our patron for over twenty five years.
"I am thrilled with the change of name of our brilliant charity. I have been on board for so long that it was easy to forget that not everyone knew of Dr Hadwen, or what he did. The new name of ‘Animal Free Research UK' says what it does on the tin; and we can look forward to attracting a whole new raft of kind and compassionate supporters. I am so very proud to be part of this wonderful organisation."
Julia has been a passionate animal advocate since childhood and a regular supporter of Animal Free Research UK. A vegetarian for the past 30 years, Julia believes that all animals should be treated with compassion and respect.
With a diverse career spanning both the private and public sectors, Julia has been a self-employed bookkeeper since 2006 with clients in various fields including the charity sector.
"I am extremely proud and excited to be a Trustee for this amazing charity. Animal Free Research UK is taking positive, progressive and ground-breaking steps in the world of medicine. With more and more people questioning the validity of animal experiments, ethically, financially and scientifically, Animal Free Research UK is shaping the future of medical research."
Kelley has worked in the charity sector for over twenty years, mainly in fundraising, and often for international causes. Being a life-long animal rescuer and 20 plus years vegetarian (now vegan), she is elated to be working with Animal Free Research UK. She enjoys bringing together people who want to fund change with charities that can make that change.
Michelle is a solicitor and legal counsel to a manufacturing and retail company, and its charity foundation. An animal lover, she moved to the UK from Singapore where she was actively advocating for better animal rights and rescuing and rehoming dogs.
"Great advancements have been made in animal-free testing alternatives, and the use of ethical, human relevant technologies saves lives, money and time. I am thrilled to be able to contribute in pushing for positive change that benefits animals and people."
I am keen about contributing to transformative changes in our society to benefit humans and animals alike. I love to engage and move people to support so many worthwhile causes. And I have a passion for moviemaking and made my first indie feature film as independent producer.
Job Titles:
- Director of Finance & Operations
Nicola fell in love with the idea of working for charities when she was only a teenager and is driven by a desire to help make the world a better place. She's always had geeky tendencies, having learned to code in BASIC at age 8 as well as winning the school maths prize twice, so has settled very well into the role of Director of Finance & Operations.
Richard has over 15 years' experience of working in the events industry, having been involved in everything from music festivals to conferences and exhibitions. In his most recent career years, he has been focusing on supporting and working within the charity sector, he is excited to join Animal Free Research UK and to contribute toward the goals of the organisation. Richard enjoys outdoor pursuits including mountain biking and skiing, as well as having a hobby of classic car restoration.
Job Titles:
- Data Insights & Analysis Officer
Roxanne's dream has come true by joining Animal Free Research UK as a Data Insights and Analysis Officer: she gets to apply her data and analysis skills in support of a cause she truly believes in. She most recently worked in the government and media sectors, as a content designer and audience data analyst. One of her key aims in life is to give her dog the best life she can. Needless to say she cares deeply about animal welfare, and loves all species equally! Even snakes. She also enjoys: philosophy, languages, travel, bouldering and games, especially escape rooms/puzzles.
Sandra is a solicitor with extensive experience in the private sector and in-house. She recently moved to the third sector and is currently the Head of Legal at a large, international charity. Environmental and animal welfare issues have long been close to her heart and she has been actively involved with a leading dog rescue charity.
"I am delighted to join this wonderful charity and to support their valuable work in replacing outdated, cruel and ineffective animal testing with cutting edge technologies and helping make Britain an inspiring world leader in ethical research. Life has changed in so many ways over the last few years - now is the time to seize the moment and make dramatic improvements in pioneering animal free research that benefits people and animals."