Our team

Andrew Fletcher

Andrew is Meningitis Now's Chair of Trustees. He has spent the majority of his career in public affairs and communications, including a number of senior roles in the charity sector.

Stephen Gazard

Stephen is Meningitis Now's Vice-Chair of Trustees. An entrepreneur by background, Stephen has been primarily involved in the financial services arena.

James Sutherland

James is the Chief Risk & Compliance Officer for DAS UK Group, having previously worked in governance roles across Higher Education and Financial Services.

Samantha Blackie

Sam Blackie is an experienced Human Resources Director, with a specific focus on developing and implementing the strategic people agenda, leading complex change and working with a broad range of stakeholders.

Rod Adlington

The Adlington family lost their son Barney to meningitis in 2005 and have fundraised since, mainly through "Barney's Bash", a series of farm-based, one night mini festivals.

Emma Thomas

Emma is a chartered accountant and currently CFO of Parmenion, which is an investment management and platform business.

Steve Dayman

My little boy Spencer contracted meningitis and meningococcal septicaemia in 1982 and died. Since then, I have dedicated much of my life to the meningitis cause in Spencer’s memory. 

Dr. Tom Nutt

Hello, I'm Tom, Chief Executive Officer at Meningitis Now.

Mark Hunt

Hello, I'm Mark, Director of Comms & Marketing at Meningitis Now.

Bev Corbett

Hi, I'm Bev, Director of Information and Support at Meningitis Now

Beth Bottrill

Hi, I'm Beth, Director of Fundraising at Meningitis Now.

Dr Caroline Vipond

Caroline is a Senior Scientist in the Division of Bacteriology at NIBSC, where she runs the group responsible for ensuring the safety and quality of a number of licensed meningococcal vaccines. She is also the current Chairperson of our Scientific and Medical Advisory Panel

Professor Simon Kroll

Simon has been involved with the work of Meningitis Now for many years, initially as Chairman of our Medical Research Panel before becoming our honorary Medical Director in 2009, and a Trustee in 2019.

Professor David Dockrell

Professor David Dockrell is Professor of Infection Medicine in the Centre for Inflammation Research at the University of Edinburgh.

Becky Hartwell

Hi, I'm Becky, Meningitis Now's Believe & Achieve Programme Co-ordinator

Kiera

Hello, my name is Kiera. Before I was born, my brother Dominic contracted meningitis septicaemia at 4-years-old, shortly after he had won his battle with cancer.

Matt W

Hi, I’m Matt. In August 2012 I became a Young Ambassador for Meningitis Now. The Young Ambassador’s role is to promote Meningitis Now to young people, and this is a huge challenge.

Lyndon L

Hi I am Lyndon, and I live in Crook, County Durham. At the age of eight and a half months I discovered meningitis.

Holly McNaughton

My Meningitis Story, Holly McNaughton, Community Ambassador

Johari A

Hi, my name is Johari. I became a Young Ambassador for Meningitis Now in 2014.

Jasmine B

Hi, I'm Jasmine. My experience of meningitis was in 2001 when I had pneumococcal meningitis and became profoundly deaf.

Aaron B

Hi, I'm Aaron. I was only three years old when my six week old sister Lauren contracted bacterial meningitis. 

Ross P

Hi I’m Ross, and I live with my family and my brother, who has had meningitis. My brother, Troy, has suffered bacterial meningitis six times due to a head injury.

Alicia S

Hi, I'm Alicia. I first became aware of meningitis when my sister contracted the disease when she was just two years old.

Ross W

Hi, I'm Ross. In 1992, before I was born, I lost my 4-year-old brother Dominic to meningitis after he had recovered from cancer. 

Huw W

Hi, my name is Huw and I live in Porthcawl, South Wales. When I was three years old my mum contracted viral meningitis. 

Anne Cadden

In January 2001, my daughter, Helen, died from meningococcal septicaemia aged 18 while in her first year at university. 

Bahman Jamalaldini

In December 2010, I thought I was coming down with a cold. On December 21, I went to bed early and in the early hours of the morning I was vomiting, had diarrhoea, felt cold and had muscle and joint pain.

Alice Austin

In 2004, our daughter, Gillian, died from meningitis just days after the birth of her second child Grace, who also passed away. 

Vanessa Whiting

In 1992, my son Luke, died from meningitis aged 22 months. He initially had flu-like symptoms, but the doctor thought he’d had a convulsion, so he was referred to the local hospital. 

Margaret McLaren

I have been volunteering with the charity for the past 12 years since losing my nephew to meningitis in October 2007. 

Steph Carter

I was diagnosed with bacterial meningitis in January 2010 at the age of 32. 

Angela Cloke

My meningitis journey began when our youngest son, Sam, aged just 18 months became very poorly. 

Carl Montieth

My first involvement with meningitis occurred when I met Steve, Gloria and family on my honeymoon in Cyprus 27 years ago.

Alison Walker

I first encountered meningitis in July 2003 when my eight month old daughter, Hannah, contracted pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia. 

Dr Mark Porter MBE

Well known media doctor Dr Mark is medical correspondent at The Times, doctor on The One Show, presenter of Radio 4’s flagship medical series Inside Health and a GP at a doctor’s surgery in South Gloucestershire.

Ken Loach

British film and television director Ken Loach is famous for films such as Cathy Come Home and Kes.

Baroness Corston

Long-standing British Labour politician Baroness Corston is famed for being the first woman to hold the position of Chair for the Parliamentary Labour Party.  

Dr Tim Brain OBE QPM BA PhD FRSA CCMI

Dr Brain started supporting our work after attending an event for us. 

Lisa Snowdon

Television presenter, jewellery designer, radio DJ and model Lisa co-hosts award-winning Capital Radio breakfast show, London’s number one breakfast show.

Petra Ecclestone

Model, designer and mum of three, Petra is the daughter of Formula One mogul, Bernie Ecclestone, and became an Ambassador for us having had viral meningitis aged 14.

Julie Hesmondhalgh

Julie is an award-winning British actress, best known for her role as Hayley Cropper in ITV’s Coronation Street.  

Denis Law CBE

A former Scotland footballer, Denis is famous for his time at Manchester United FC. 

Matthew Newbury

Matthew is a London-based property developer who, in 2011, was the first person in Britain to be fitted with a bionic leg.

Alan Halsall

Entrepreneur and Chairman of luxury pram maker, Silver Cross, Alan has supported our work for many years through his Silver Cross business.

Alex W

Alison’s eight year old son, Alex, contracted meningococcal septicaemia on her wedding day; within hours Alex had gone from feeling a little ill to being kept alive by a life support machine.

Phil Hand

Phil is an entrepreneur.

Nina

I personally have not had meningitis but both my dad (who had it as a child, but made a full recovery) and a very close friend of mine did.

Rosie

Hi, I’m Rosie. I had bacterial meningitis when I was seven years old and my life is still impacted by the after-effects the disease left me with on a day-to-day basis

Fiona Brannan

Fiona and her husband, Simon, lost their 16-month-old son Cy to meningitis in October 2007. Cy passed away just 24 hours after contracting the disease.

Lesley Tanton

Lesley Tanton and her husband, John, lost their 14-year-old son, Mark, in September 2010. He had the Y strain of meningitis.

Ian Stuart

Ian has over 35 years' experience in the banking industry and is currently HSBC’s Head of Commercial Banking UK and Co-Head of Commercial Banking Europe

Jacob Gray

My name is Jacob. On 10 January 2013 I walked into hospital, where I remained a patient for the next 699 days; I had contracted meningococcal septicaemia.

Lynette Adjei

'Meningitis' – I knew that word but it didn’t mean a lot. ‘Pneumo-what?’ The other word was definitely Double Dutch. 

Cliff and Jeanette Bull

When our grandson Charlie woke with a temperature and a rash, his mum Claire knew that something was seriously wrong and rushed him to Bezier Hospital.

Jemma P

Hi, I’m Jemma. In August 2012 I got my A-Level results and found out I got into the University of Leicester to study law - I was looking forward to my new adventure.

Steve Lawes

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Steve Lawes

Phil Marshall

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Phil Marshall

Tony Fortune

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Tony Fortune

Nigel Gardner

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Nigel Gardner

Cathy Hargreaves

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Cathy Hargreaves

Jason Thomas

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Jason Thomas

Jo Killick

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Jo Killick

Richard Churchill

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Richard Churchill 

Nicola Hare

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Nicola Hare

Huw Thomas

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Huw Thomas

Ash Harris

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Ash Harris

Geoff Howse

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Geoff Howse

Craig Saunders

Introducing Meningitis Now Safety Team member Craig Saunders

Toby

Hello, I am Toby and I have witnessed what meningitis does to people and their families.

Emma Moore

Emma Moore was 26 when she became a Meningitis Now Community Ambassador in 2015, after losing her son George to meningitis in October 2013 at just 10 months old.

Hannah Pearce

My name is Hannah and I live just outside of Swansea with my husband Ashley.

Alison Westwood

I developed viral meningitis in February 2003, when my children were just 1 and 3 years old.

Louis

Hello everyone! I am Louis. 10 years and 15 days before my birth, my family was changed forever when we lost my uncle James. Despite my never having  met my uncle, I have seen firsthand what losing someone to meningitis really does to a family.

Julie Green

Hello, my name is Julie Green. In January 2012 my son Louie contracted meningococcal septicaemia at the age of 5 months old. 

Barbara and Bob Johnson

Hello, we are Barbara and Bob Johnson from Essex. We started supporting the charity in the days of the National Meningitis Trust after the death of our son James in May 1991 from Group 'B' meningitis and septicaemia.

Charlotte H

Charlotte was a student when she had both legs amputated below the knee, along with all the fingers from her left hand, after contracting meningococcal group W (MenW) and septicaemia.

Hannah Marsh

Hannah is a CIMA-qualified account and is currently in the role of Head of Finance at Plan International UK, a global charity focused on children's' rights and equality for girls.

James Duff

James was a long-standing supporter and fundraiser for Meningitis Now before becoming a Community Ambassador in 2018

Asha Vijendran

I’m Asha and I work as a Corporate Development Manager at the Millennium Centre in Cardiff.

Caroline Frean

I’m Caroline and I'm a solicitor working for people who have been injured as a result of negligent medical treatment.

Charlotte Moore

I’m Charlotte. I am a clinical / medical negligence lawyer who works with children and adults who have suffered life-changing injuries, as a result of failings in their medical treatment and care.

Claire Packham

I am currently a Department Coordinator at Anthony Collins Solicitors and have been with the firm for over 10 years.

Craig Ford

I am currently a solicitor working in the South West. I left school at 16, joined the Army and spent 23 years in the military medical services.

David Baker

I am a father to three wonderful children - this the highlight of my life. I’ve always tried to do my best, I aim to help people and try and make their lives better.

Ian Watkinson

I first came to know Meningitis Now following the death of my baby grandson, Charlie, from pneumococcal meningitis in 2010 and the wonderful support my family received from them at that terrible time.

Jonathan Davies

I contracted a severe case of viral meningitis in 2002. I was leading an active life, training for my first open water sea triathlon, when viral meningitis struck.

Julie Marsh

Julie Marsh is a Senior Associate Solicitor within the Clinical Negligence Team at Boyes Turner LLP, a regional law firm based in Reading.

Laura Bland

Hi, my name is Laura and I am a solicitor. I act for people who have suffered an injury as a result of complications and issues with their medical treatment.

Misa Ichinose

I've lived in Japan, the US and Hong Kong but for the last decade I've studied and worked in the U.K., and currently live in Essex with my partner.

Sarah Huntbach

I am a solicitor and I represent clients and their families who have suffered life changing injuries, either because of a medical mishap/misdiagnosis, or caused by a road traffic or other type of accident.

Sue Davie

I’m a qualified management accountant and MBA (Master of Business Administration). I worked for Fujitsu for 10 years after completing my BA (Hons) Business Studies.

Callum Jones

My name is Callum and I have younger identical twin sisters. I decided to become a volunteer with Meningitis Now after one of my sisters had bacterial meningitis when she was 8

Fiona Yelland

Hi, I’m Fiona. I had meningitis when I was 15, on 4 October 2011; it was just a normal school day. However, that was about to change.

Freya Stealey

Hello, I am Freya. I had meningitis two years ago when I was 22

Holly Loach

Hi, I’m Holly. I'm 19 years old and am currently studying English Literature at Bristol Uni

Isa

Hi, I'm Isa and I've been volunteering with Meningitis Now for over 16 years, since my sister died of pneumococcal meningitis and septicaemia when I was 5 years old.

Katy Tyler

Hello, I'm Katy. Back in December 2013 we lost my brother's girlfriend Sarah to meningitis, aged just 19.

Ollie Gray

Hi, I'm Ollie. I had meningitis when I was extremely young but it has affected me since

Sophie C

Hello I’m Sophie. When I was 12 I contracted pneumococcal meningitis after suffering from a perforated eardrum. 

Conor

Hey, I'm Conor. I'm 19, and I've contracted meningitis 3 times in the last 8 years.

Laura McQ

My name is Laura and I'm currently studying for an MA at the University of Leeds

Lucy S

Hi, I'm Lucy. My cousin Emily died from meningitis when she was 19 years old

Louise G

Hi, I’m Louise. I had meningitis when I was 2 and a half. 

Dr Mary Ramsay

Dr Mary Ramsay has been a Consultant Epidemiologist since 1994.

Sarah Ramsay

Hi, I'm Sarah, Partnerships Team Manager at Meningitis Now.

Mark Jefferies

Hi, I'm Mark, Senior Partnerships Fundraiser at Meningitis Now.

Megan Thompson

Hi, I'm Megan, Fundraising Manager at Meningitis Now.

Kirsty Owen-Hayward

Hello! I'm Kirsty, Fundraising Manager at Meningitis Now.

Leah Wynn

Hi, I'm Leah, Fundraising Officer at Meningitis Now.

Joanne Wilson

Hiya! I'm Jo, Fundraising Officer at Meningitis Now

Sophia Lanciano Newman

Hi! I'm Sophia, Fundraising Officer at Meningitis Now

Kat Hollywell

Hi! I'm Kat, Fundraising Assistant at Meningitis Now.

Cat D

I’m Cat, I’m 24 and I’m a total languages nerd

Claire Donovan

Hello, I'm Claire, Helpline and Information Manager at Meningitis Now

Caroline Lyons

Hello, I'm Caroline, Information and Assessment Nurse at Meningitis Now

Jane Blewitt

Hello, I'm Jane, Information and Assessment Nurse at Meningitis Now

Cheryl Brown

Hello, I'm Cheryl, Support Services Manager at Meningitis Now

Lucie Riches

Hi, I'm Lucie, Meningitis Now's Senior Community Support Officer

Christine Mather

Hi, I'm Chris, Meningitis Now's Community Support Officer covering the North of England. 

Alison Yelland

Hello, I'm Alison, Meningitis Now's Community Support Officer covering Scotland and Northern Ireland

Dawn McNiff

Hi, I'm Dawn, Meningitis Now's Community Support Officer covering the West Midlands, South West and South Wales

Suzanne Monaghan

Hello, I'm Suzanne, Support Services Assistant at Meningitis Now

Graeme Burridge

On 7 October 2016, my 23-year-old daughter Katherine came home from work feeling unwell.

Andy Hopkinson

Hello, I'm Andy, Communications and Press Officer at Meningitis Now

David Clifford

Hi, I'm David, Digital Marketing Manager at Meningitis Now

Jules Braithwaite

Hi, I'm Julie (Jules), Senior Designer at Meningitis Now

Rachel Oakley

Hi! I'm Rachel, Digital Marketing & Design Officer at Meningitis Now and a member of the voluntary Safety Team

Julie Griffin

Hello. I'm Julie, Supporter Care Manager at Meningitis Now

Paula Atkinson

Hello, I'm Paula, Supporter Care Administrator at Meningitis Now

Kyra McDonnell

Hi! I'm Kyra, Supporter Care Administrator at Meningitis Now

Lisa Ellis

Hi! I'm Lisa, Supporter Care Administrator at Meningitis Now

Laura Smith

Hello! I'm Laura, HR Officer at Meningitis Now

Isobel Black

Hello, I'm Isobel, Volunteer Manager at Meningitis Now

Seema Jaswal

Sports presenter Seema, who presents the Premier League global football coverage, BBC World Snooker Championship and various football coverage for ITV, contracted bacterial meningitis when she was 16 years old.

Ed Cook

Hi, my name is Ed and I had bacterial pneumococcal meningitis in 2014 when I was 15.