Reception and Helpline
Victoria, Jean and Sarah are usually the first faces you’ll see if you visit our National Centre. They are always pleased to welcome you and help direct you to your courses or appointments. If they are not available at the time of your visit, one of our fantastic Reception volunteers will be pleased to greet you instead.
To contact the team, email info@pennybrohn.org.uk, call 0303 3000 118 or fill in the form below.
Our Helpline Team is available to offer confidential support over the phone, when you need it. If you would like to get in touch with our confidential Helpline, you can call 0303 3000 118 or email helpline@pennybrohn.org.uk.
Reception and Helpline
Marian Naidoo, Services Director
Marian has a research and development background in health, education and the arts, working extensively within mental health services. Marian has held key posts with the Department of Health and the NHS and The National Social Inclusion Programme. As the National Lead for Arts and Culture for Inclusion and Wellbeing she was responsible for the increasing recognition of the benefits of arts and cultural activity for service users, patients, providers and carers.
Marian is an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Bath.
marian.naidoo@pennybrohn.org.uk
Helen French, Deputy Services Director
Helen is a qualified counsellor and clinical supervisor and is experienced in developing counselling services in outreach locations.
helen.french@pennybrohn.org.uk
Leads a team of experienced counsellors and Living Well development Managers:
- Allon Stokes – Senior Counsellor
- Alison Peters, Katy Berwick, Nicola Burns – Counsellors
- Supriya More, Sophie Jones, Christopher Riley – Living Well Development Managers
Dr Catherine Zollman, Medical Director
Catherine trained to registrar level in Medical Oncology before qualifying as a GP in 1995. Completed a Fellowship in Integrative Medicine at University of Arizona in 2010. Works part-time as an NHS GP and as GP Cancer Lead for the local Clinical Commissioning Group.
catherine.zollman@pennybrohn.org.uk
Leads a team of integrative Doctors who all work as NHS GPs and Nurses:
- Dr Duncan Still, Dr Helen Thomas and Dr Natasha Ward.
- Lead Nurse Tilly Sheeran, working in cancer services since 2005.
- Treatment Support Nurse Susie Budd, Chemotherapy Senior Staff Nurse at Bristol Haematology and Oncology Centre.
Sarah MacDonald, Practice Development Lead
Sarah has worked at Penny Brohn UK since 2003, supporting clients and managing services at the National Centre. Sarah has a Masters in Health Education and is an Interfaith Minister. She is responsible for developing and delivering training and accreditation across the organisation. Sarah also teaches Qigong, tai Chi and Meditation.
sarah.macdonald@pennybrohn.org.uk
Sarah leads the a team of experienced Living Well Facilitators:
- Jane Fizor, Constance Bowdler, Wendy Burley
Michele Eve, Lead Therapist
Michele has worked for Penny Brohn since 2009, holding qualifications in counselling and adult education. She passed her Healers examinations in March 2009 with The Healing Trust (NFSH) after two and half years training. She has studied Reiki to Level II and have completed an extended shamanic healing course, The Call of the Shaman. In previous roles, she has been a Nursing Auxiliary with the Elderly, a Child and Families Social Worker and a Playgroup Manager.
Leads a team of experienced therapists and facilitators including:
- Markus Heimpel, Shiatsu Practitioner and Course Leader
- Roz Chissick, Healer
- Sarah Brown, Reflexologist and Course Leader
- Alex Turner, Acupuncture, Shiatsu and Qi gong Practitioner
- Brendagh O’ Sullivan, Acupuncture, Biodanza Teacher
- Viv Morris, Massage Therapist and Tai Chi Practitioner
- Professor Leslie Bunt, MBE, Music Therapist
Nicky Robinson, Lead Nutritional Therapist
Nicky has worked at Penny Brohn UK since June 2018. Her qualifications include an MSc in Nutritional Therapy (distinction) and a BA (Hons) in Law & Economics. She is a member of British Association of Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT), registered with the Complementary and Natural Health Care Council (CNHC) and member of the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM).
nicky.robinson@pennybrohn.org.uk
Leads a team of experienced Nutritional Therapists including:
- Elena Yates
- Victoria Kubiak
- Janey Twigger
Helen Seers, Head of Research and Evaluation
Helen has been working for Penny Brohn UK since 2004. She holds a PhD in Experimental Psychology from University of Bristol and has an extensive research background, working with the Q Community and contributing to the Realising the Value project (Health Foundation/Nesta), funded by NHS England, representing Penny Brohn UK as the partner site representing Self-Management Education.
Leads a team of experienced researchers:
- Rachel Johnson
- Sarah Churchward
- Claire Whitehouse
Fundraising Team
Commercial Director
Andrew Hufford
Heading up the fundraising team, as part of his wider job as Commercial Director, Andrew manages all income to the charity. Starting at Penny Brohn UK in 2014 as National Centre General Manager, he took the role of Commercial Director in December 2018 and works closely with the Brand and Marketing Director.
Community & Events Team
Emma Gilmore – Head of Events (front centre)
From left to right:
- Sophie Thomas – Community Fundraising Officer
- Laura Madams – Community and Challenges Fundraising Assistant
- Clio Khan – Special Events Officer
- Alicia Quinn – Community and Challenges Fundraising Assistant
To contact the team email fundraising@pennybrohn.org.uk or call 01275 370 075.
Partnerships Fundraising team
Samantha Young – Head of Fundraising Operations (Centre)
From left to right:
- Deborah Jamieson – Trusts Fundraiser,
- Miranda Theobald – Trusts Fundraiser,
- Harrison Leonard – Trusts Manager,
- Kirstie Tudor – Legacy & In Memory Officer
To contact the team call 01275 370 092.
Brand and Marketing
Brand and Marketing Director
Tracy Tait
Heading up the Brand and Marketing Team, Tracy manages both the internal and external communications and marketing of the charity. With a fundraising background, Tracy worked as Head of Individual Giving for the organisation before becoming Head of Communications and Marketing, and in February 2019, took on the role of Director of Brand and Marketing.
Email Tracy.tait@pennybrohn.org.uk
Brand and Marketing Team
From left to right:
- Kim Creus – Communication and Information Officer
- Becci Ellison – Press Officer
- Hannah Sweetnam – Digital and Web Manager
If you would like to get in touch with the team, please email comms@pennybrohn.org.uk or call 01275 370 096.
Our Exec
Laura Kerby – Chief Executive Officer
Laura joined Penny Brohn UK as Chief Executive in May 2014 with 25 years of experience in the health and wellbeing sector.
She came to us after five years at Nuffield Health, where she was a member of the Executive Board and MD of the consumer fitness and wellbeing division. Laura oversaw the successful operation and development of 65 Fitness and Wellbeing Centres across the UK, including the acquisition of Greens in 2012.
This commitment to health and wellbeing has been the continuing theme of Laura’s career and she brings this, together with her experience and skills, to lead Penny Brohn UK in the delivery of unrivalled holistic support for people affected by cancer.
Laura graduated in 2018 with a MSC in People and Organisational Development (University of Sussex) focusing on leadership to deepen her theoretical knowledge and practical ability to transform organisations in a holistic way. She has been invited as a guest speaker to talk to leaders at a number of blue chip companies e.g. Coutts and has introduced a senior leadership programme to the charity.
Leadership Module
Change is ever present. Organisational transformation can no longer be considered as a one-off, or multiple, project delivered and measured through process. Contemporary leaders are working with staff perspective, creating the environment for adaptation and authentic dialogue with their people. This module will consider what is leadership anyway and how can we become aware that the examples we set will impact significantly the wellbeing of staff teams, their morale, productivity and absenteeism.
Executive Team
Marian Naidoo – Services Director
Jayne Tucker – Finance Director
Andrew Hufford – Commercial Director
Dr. Catherine Zollman – Medical Director
Tracy Tait – Interim Brand and Marketing Director
Our Patron and Ambassadors
Our Patron and Ambassadors play their part in highlighting the profile of the charity, fundraising for us and raising awareness of our services ensuring we can help people living with cancer.
We are very grateful for the unique contribution made by our Patron and Ambassadors who have dedicated their time to promote our work and help us raise the vital funds that we need to provide our services.
Our Patron: HRH, The Prince of Wales
His Royal Highness, the Prince of Wales , became our Royal Patron in 1997. He has been a steadfast supporter and figurehead for over 35 years, having opened the original Bristol Cancer Help Centre in 1983.
“I have always admired the charity’s work to provide physical, emotional and spiritual support to people with cancer and their loved ones. When it comes to compassion in healing, the Bristol Whole Life Approach is second to none.”
The Prince of Wales’ official website is: www.princeofwales.gov.uk
Suranne Jones, Ambassador
BAFTA award-winning actress Suranne Jones, joined us a Celebrity Patron in 2014. She has taken a pivotal role in increasing our brand awareness in London, through her involvement in our London Afternoon Tea event.
“I think it’s really important that more people know about the support that such an important charity provides. It really is an unbelievable place.”
Tara Arkle, Ambassador
Tara Arkle is a writer, producer and campaigner.
Tara became a Celebrity Patron in 2016, after her aunt, bestselling author Jackie Collins, named us as the UK charity beneficiary in lieu of flowers following her death from breast cancer in 2015.
Tara has helped the organisation to develop its media presence and has written articles for the press, working with our nutritionists to create menus to boost the immune system.
John Miles, Ambassador
John Miles is a Talent Agent.
John became a Patron in 2017, but has been a committed supporter of the Charity for more than 20 years. He is very well known in the world of show-business for his business acumen, creativity and generosity, skills he is happy to use to the benefit of Penny Brohn UK.