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 eight trustees, bringing their own skills to the benefit of the Centre: four are service users of the Centre and five more bring additional, necessary professional skills and experience.

Lorraine Dodd (Chair)

I have been a Trustee since 2015 and I have been Treasurer and Secretary during my time on the board before becoming Chair.

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.

 

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Norman Holladay

 My wife and I have been Carer members since late 2021 when our son was referred to the Centre by the NHS for further rehabilitation following a brain injury in 2017. I was co-opted onto the Board of Trustees in 2022 and my appointment as a Trustee was approved at the 2023 AGM.

I am a civil engineer by profession. For 19 years I worked for an engineering consultancy on the design and construction of dams in this country and abroad. I then moved to Dee Valley Water where I worked for 21 years, first as the Planning and Regulation Manager, then as the Managing Director until I retired in 2014. Since 2017, caring for our son has been our priority.

My interests include fishing, rowing, tracing my family tree and spending time with our six grandchildren.

 

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Debbie Powell

I became a co-opted trustee before being formally appointed at the AGM in 2021.

I first learned of the Neuro Therapy Centre after being introduced as a skills donor by Cheshire Connect to coach and develop members of the team. Before long I found myself offering to get more involved by facilitating meetings virtually through zoom during the challenging Covid times, and I am now keen to support the Centre in its strategy moving forwards.

I enjoyed a long career with Barclays Bank, before becoming a self-employed management consultant and coach in 2014, specialising in strategic thinking, transformational change and people centred implementation. I love to support and challenge both individuals and teams to be the best they can be, to identify and achieve their true goals.

Outside of the 'business space' I am a dancing teacher, a keen football fan (better not say which?!), dabble with photography, enjoy cooking and baking and spending time with my amazing family. My mum always said "If you want something doing then ask a busy person" - and then I wonder where I get my 'busyness" from...

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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.

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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.  

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Barbara Burke

I was a Principal in General Practice  in Frodsham for 32 years  until my retirement in 2003. I was also a Hospital Practitioner in Dermatology at Halton General Hospital.

I was diagnosed with a Primary Progressive MS in 2002 and have attended the Centre for the Pilates class since 2017. I enjoy this class and have benefited from it. Thus,  when invited to become a Trustee, I agreed,  on the basis that it is time to “give something back”.

My main hobby is gardening, somewhat limited these days, and also  ‘kitchen table bridge’! I have five grandchildren.

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Derek Sanders

I was born and raised in Birmingham, went to school in West Bromwich and obtained a degree in Chemistry and Biology from Aston University. I became a science teacher and for the majority of my career was Head of Chemistry at a school on the Wirral. I am now retired. I am a full time carer for my wife Rosalyn, who has MS. We attend the Centre twice a week where Ros has physio classes. We are both members of the Movers Shakers choir.

I applied to become a trustee as I felt it was a way to give something back to the Centre for all it has done for Ros over the past 3 years of our membership.

I enjoy reading, listening to music, particularly blues and I try hard to play guitar.

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Hilary Harris

I am a retired GP in South Manchester now living in Knutsford. My special interests were inherited diseases, screening and prevention. My visit to the Neuro Therapy Centre provided insight into the treatments on offer and an awareness of the very positive vibe of everyone I met.

I was a Trustee for Hearing Dogs for Deaf People which provided a good background to the beneficial work carried out by charities and the necessary fundraising. My late husband was profoundly deaf and benefitted greatly from the alertness and companionship of his hearing dog.

In retirement I enjoy holidays with classical music and outings to the ballet.

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Paul Crossland 

I have been a member at the centre since the summer of 2023, having been finally diagnosed with a long-term neurological condition.  I try to attend the gym at the centre at least twice a week, to keep as strong as I can for as long as I can.

I retired in April this year, bringing to a close a 40 year career in construction, building design and facilities management specialising in all things health and safety. Until this year, I was a chartered member of the Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and a fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health.

I am originally from Flint but have lived and worked in the southeast of England most of my life, having moved back to my beloved Wales five years ago; a decision I wish I'd made decades before. I now live in Buckley with my wife and two of my three grown-up children, and a house full of cats and dogs.

  

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Mike Martin

I am delighted to rejoin Neuro Therapy Centre as a Trustee, having stood down about five years ago after a stint of 10 years.  I became involved in what was them the MS support Centre really by accident and have been proud to contribute to its significant evolution.  My late wife indeed benefited directly from its services.

Born and educated in Glasgow I first came to live in this area in 1973, and while working away and abroad, have loved living here. I am still a JP in the city although too old now to sit! I live in Christleton with a new partner and have a daughter and grandchildren in Chester.

Professionally I have worked in the IT sector most my life, in management, sales and consultancy roles but don’t ask me to fix your PC!

 

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David Purdell-Lewis

I was diagnosed with a long-term neurological condition last year and became a member soon afterwards. I enjoy the gym and stand and balance classes.  I became a co-opted trustee earlier this year. 

I am a dentist by profession but after 5 years of general practice combined with teaching at Guy’s Hospital my wife and I moved to Utrecht in The Netherlands. There I worked for the Dutch Medical Research Council. We stayed for 16 very enjoyable years and our 3 children were born there.

We then returned to the UK where I took up a position at Unilever Research, where I remained until my retirement. My main hobbies are reading, messing around in boats and rebuilding old cars. Unlike some of my fellow trustees I am a very unenthusiastic gardener!