About us Our people Our Trustees The trustees are responsible for the strategic direction of the Centre and for oversight of the daily running of the Centre, which is devolved to the Centre Director who leads a small central management team. There are currently 11 trustees, bringing their own skills to the benefit of the Centre: four have a neurological condition, three are Carers and four more bring additional, necessary professional skills and experience. Neil Kemsley (Chairman) I have been a Trustee at the Centre since 1998 when I was persuaded to get involved by my wife (Alison Smithson) who had been a member since 1992. I am an Economist by training and have been in the financial sector all my working life. Apart from being a Trustee of the Centre, I am involved with two other charities, a property company and some Consultancy work. My other preoccupation is eight grandchildren! Ted Rose (Vice - Chairman) I have been a Trustee at the Centre since 2012 as I wanted to express my gratitude by giving something back for the help I had received with my dual diagnosis of Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis. I am a retired Consultant Cardiologist and former Medical Director of Warrington and Halton Hospital Trust. I was a rugby player, squash player, tri-athlete and more recently a Nordic Walking Instructor. I was still swimming, cycling and walking on a regular basis until symptoms worsened last year leading to treatment with a Deep Brain Stimulator which is starting to have a noticeable benefit. Phil Greenlees (Secretary) I have MS and have been a member of the Centre since it was started in 1985 by the “Gang of Four” as they were affectionately known. I have been a Trustee for many years originally being Treasurer and latterly Secretary. My background was as Head of the Computer Department for Chester City Council until I retired; now I loathe computers! I still attend for Oxygen Therapy sessions and physiotherapy as often as I am able, which keeps my condition stable. I am a fan of most sports, especially football and cricket, and I like spending time with my five grandchildren - they keep me active! Mike Martin Born fortuitously as a Glaswegian I have been a Trustee at the Centre since 2009. Now retired I worked in various capacities in international organisations, focusing upon the application of IT, to improve business performance (I must declare that I don’t like computers although I use them all the time). I am also a Justice of the Peace in Chester although I no longer sit as a Magistrate. Mike Bell I qualified as a Dentist from Birmingham University 1990. I worked in Chester and had two dental practices. I retired before my MS had any symptoms and started attending the Neuro Therapy Centre. In 2011 when it became worse and felt I needed help and advice. I was asked to become a Trustee a couple of years later and agreed. I felt I could help due to my healthcare experience and regular attendance as a user of the Centre. Louise Eccleston I became a trustee in 2015. I first attended a fundraising lunch for businesses connecting the Centre with the City and those of us who work there. This became a regular event so I was able to learn more about the Centre. I am a Solicitor and have practised for almost 25 years, 22 years in Chester. I help clients with Wills and handle finance for those unable to manage themselves. I look after trusts and then administering client’s estates on their death. I have the privilege to chat to clients in all walks of life and often meet people with health issues. Knowing more about the Centre and its work has allowed me to recommend it to a number of people. I love walking my dog on the Clwydian hills and sometimes his friends, especially when the sun shines. Lorraine Dodd (Treasurer) I have been a Trustee since 2015 and I am the Treasurer as well as chairing the Finance group. I have known about the work of the Centre for many years and, in my professional life as an investment director, I had a number of clients living with MS or Parkinsons. I retired from Rathbones in late 2014. When I finished work, I jumped at the chance to get involved here and to use my financial skills to support the Centre. I have been a non-executive director in the NHS, first of all with the Liverpool Women’s Hospital and then, from 2000 to 2012 with Alder Hey, latterly as the Vice-Chair. I live up in the Clwyd hills of North Wales, together with my husband. I love my garden but it’s a challenge at over 800ft with the normal rain, frost and wind to contend with. John Brierley I was diagnosed with MS in 2000 whilst working as a consultant in the Aerospace industry, mainly for Rolls Royce Aero Engines. My disability, mainly affecting my legs, forced me to retire in 2004. We moved from a house in mid-Cheshire to a bungalow in Chester. I became a member of the Centre in 2009 and was invited by the late Tim Cotton to become a Trustee in 2010. I have been fortunate enough to retain my trusteeship since then. Until 2016 I was an active member and regularly visited the Centre 2-3 times a week. Since then, my mobility problems have restricted me to one hour a week during the 6 week NET cycle. Ann Edwards I became a Trustee at the Centre in 2010 as the then Chairwoman of Parkinson’s UK - Chester and District Branch, when a collaboration agreement was signed between the Centre and the Branch allowing people with Parkinson’s to access the Centre's therapies. In 1965 I qualified as a State Registered Nurse and in 1968 trained as a midwife. I have worked for the NHS and private hospitals, charities and in the community across many disciplines which have given me a wide knowledge of health issues and the opportunity to enjoy a wonderful career spanning 46 years. For the last thirteen years of my career I was fortunate to work at our local hospice as Matron/Macmillan nurse manager and was appointed as CEO for the last seven years until I retired. I hope that as a Trustee I can offer some of my skills and experience in support of the Centre. Free time is scarce but I enjoy volunteering for the National Trust and am a Walk Leader for a local walking for health group. I love dolls houses and miniatures and spending time with my lovely husband three super daughters, two of whom live in Australia and our crazy Cat, Iggle Piggle. Wendy Faulkner I became a Trustee at the Centre in 2017. Although I've been involved since 2002 when my husband was diagnosed with MS. I've been volunteering for many years delivering the oxygen therapy and currently help on Mondays. I also visit the Centre on Tuesdays to do the shopping for the kitchen, and help with washing the dishes and updating the notice boards. In my previous life I was a teacher which was my dream job and one to which I would return any day. My nickname is “busy”- so you know what they say. I am at the Centre to help/listen - just ask. Justin Clayton I became a Trustee in 2017 when I was introduced by a former colleague at a network event and subsequently met Lorraine Dodd, an existing Trustee at the Centre, and the rest as they say is history. I have worked in Human Resources for over 20 years now in multiple industries. The public sector in terms of universities and the NHS as well as the private sector in manufacturing, retail, aviation and logistics. My rationale for joining and assisting the great work of the Centre was, to “Give something back” if I can, by sharing my experience and expertise gathered over the years. Outside of work, I am married to Jane and have a step-daughter Lamese. Any spare time is spent on a game of golf or walking my trusty pooch, Keela.