Our Trustees

I'm Simon and I've been familiar with the work of Yorkshire’s Brain Tumour Charity since it was established in 2002 and in May 2024 I became the charity’s Chair. I have worked as a Consultant Neurosurgeon for many years in Leeds, Cambridge and Newcastle, with a particular emphasis on the management of people with brain tumours. I have experience working as a Trustee and Chair across several diverse charities.

In my spare time I play trombone in the Summerbridge and Dacre Band and enjoy walking in the dales.

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I’m Ruth, I joined YBTC in 2017 at the suggestion of my neurosurgeon, following early retirement. After a career of  almost 30 years in clinical research, it felt like time to “give back” and helping others less fortunate than myself with brain tumours seemed like an excellent opportunity to help make a difference in addition to keeping my mind active.

As well as being a YBTC trustee I sit on an ethics committee and helped co-found a community sponsorship group within my local area. Four-year old twin granddaughters also help to keep me on my toes.

I’m definitely not a fan of gyms, preferring  walking and gardening to keep fit. I enjoy visiting galleries and museums; “dabbling’ in crafts and am a member of my choirs pub quiz team.

Bio coming soon...

I started my career by spending my student years in London writing electronic music, trying to get into the music production industry and selling HiFi. I moved into eCommerce shortly after and in 2003 decided to move to Yorkshire where I spent the next 14 years working for the holy trinity of Bradford-based mail order businesses (Redcats, Damart and FGH), followed by a brief foray into the luxury sector as Head of eCommerce for cashmere brand, N.Peal. In 2017 I set up pjm:digital - an eCommerce focused micro agency. Based in Bradford, we work with a wide range of clients across the UK and Europe.

I got involved with YBTC in 2021 following some personal experiences within my family and friends directly associated with brain tumours. The appeal of the charity to me has always been the mix of research and support. I’ve seen that small things can make a massive difference. I believe that if everyone within the charity, Yorkshire, the UK and the world can play their small part, then we can, one day, find that cure.

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Away from the office, I’ve recently begun a quest to bring the digital talent of Bradford together through Bradford Digital. and I also run my own music fashion website whilst still producing music in my home studio. I’ve done a lot of fundraising over the years through occasional marathon (although these days, half marathons).

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Bio coming soon...

I am Bev and in 2001 I worked closely with Carol Robertson who was the founder of Andrea’s Gift - the charity which has now become YBTC. We were friends with Andrea Key, and saw first-hand her brave battle with her brain tumour diagnosis (click here to read more about her story and how it led to the formation of the charity). Carol and I worked for a publisher and had experience in sales and marketing. We used these skills and worked tirelessly to get the charity up and running - regularly signposting for bike rides, attending Brain Tumour events and sending out letter after to letter to raise awareness.

In 2014, this became even more personal to me when my daughter was diagnosed with a brain tumour on her third ventricle.  Luckily for us it was low grade.  Since her diagnosis, she has developed epilepsy and is regularly monitored, which means everything to us as a family.  This is when I saw YBTC from a different angle and this made me realise just how important the charity is to the brain tumour community.

In my spare time, I love singing and dancing, having lazy days on a beach and travelling..

I’m Laura, and I’ve worked for the NHS since 2001, in various leadership and management roles. I now lead the organisation of Primary Care Doncaster, which is a federation of the city’s GP practices. It’s great being involved in providing healthcare, being able to see the impact of the work you do, and how it makes a difference to patients. What I really love about my current role though, is being able to create a culture of teamwork, empowerment, and at the same time, enjoyment; you spend a lot of your life at work, so you need to have fun while you’re there!

When I’m not at work, various hobbies occupy my time; I like running, fitness, going to the theatre and music concerts, and generally socialising with family and friends. Spending time with my family is the most important thing to me really; and I know how precious family is, having lost my grandad, dad and auntie to brain tumours. That’s why I’ve joined YBTC, it’s a cause very close to my heart, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to be involved with a charity that makes such a difference to families like mine. I find myself with a bit more time on my hands these days, as my now-teenage daughter prefers being with her friends as opposed to me (!), so joining the team at YBTC is an exciting new venture for me in 2024, and I’m really looking forward to contributing to its onward growth and success.

I am Anke and I am group leader in brain tumour research at the University of Huddersfield as well as a Senior Lecturer in Biomedicine. My research focusses on the improvement of diagnostics and treatment options for brain tumour patients.

I enjoy public engagement and as part of my outreach activities and supporting local charities I formed a close link with the YBTC. I am very impressed by their drive and dedication to make a difference and would like to be directly involved with YBTC in my role as a trustee. 

In my spare time I enjoy live concerts and spending time with my family, friends and cats.

My career started in Arts and Entertainment, having trained as an actor, treading the boards and into supporting roles on Television. I became a training consultant, which initially enabled me to communicate to regular audiences in various corporate sectors and have now been doing this for over 18 years, holding various positions up to 'Head of L&D’. I now work freelance supporting different brands chiefly specialising in Leadership and Management training.

YBTC means a lot to me, as having lost an extremely close relative, I received incredible support post-bereavement and it opened my eyes to the necessity of these types of charities and outreach programmes. It’s a cause that makes a difference and being a part of such a fabulous charity is existentially rewarding. 

In my spare time I really love spending time with my family and friends. Other than that, I labour under the challenge of supporting Bradford City, am an avid film lover and maker and enjoy finding remote getaways and enjoying some solace. 

Bio coming soon...

I'm Chris, I have been involved with YBTC for several years now, initially volunteering as an Ambassador, and more recently as a Trustee. Having had a wide varied career in education, change management , and leadership development, I hope that my experience and the work that I now do will help make a difference to anyone who has felt the impact of a brain tumour diagnosis.

As a Father of two wonderful children (now adults) and Grandfather to three beautiful grandchildren, we were all devastated when my wife Jayne, Mum and Grandmum, and a beloved friend to many many people, was lost to a grade 4 Glioblastoma in 2021. I'm determined to do everything I can to help reduce the impact a brain tumour diagnosis, and the eventual outcomes of that diagnosis, has on both the sufferer and their family and friends - until a cure can be found. The work our charity does is invaluable and in many ways unique. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me if you think I might be able to help you, or your family and friends in any way at all.

When I'm not  involved in the charity's work I can be found watching sport, playing very poor golf, or travelling.

Bio coming soon...