Meet the Thalidomide Trust team - scroll over the images to learn more about us all.
Please use the Contact Us link on the left to get in touch.
Senior Management Team
Deborah JackExecutive Director I have overall responsibility for ensuring the Trust is operating effectively and legally, using resources wisely and responding in the best possible way to the changing needs of beneficiaries. I also act as the central contact point for our funders – Diageo and the four UK Health & Social Care Departments.
Suzanne LluchFinance Director I am responsible for the financial planning and financial management of the Trust. I oversee the Grant payments allocated and distributed to the Trust’s beneficiaries and ensure that financial support is available for them. I also monitor the performance of the Trust’s investment portfolio.
Katy SagoeDirector of Health & Wellbeing I have responsibility for ensuring that we understand and respond to the health and wellbeing needs of beneficiaries and manage the fantastic team of committed H&W staff. As part of the senior management team I also contribute to the strategic direction of the Trust.
Health & Wellbeing Team
Dr Susan Brennan MBChB MRCGPTrust Medical Adviser I’m a GP and a medical adviser. One of my roles is to offer advice and support to our beneficiaries with health problems caused, or made worse, by thalidomide. I am also responsible for producing written and online information for beneficiaries to help with their health needs.
Dr Dee Morrison MB ChBTrust Medical Adviser I am a GP as well as a medical adviser. I help beneficiaries understand more about any health issues, provide medical support letters and liaise with GPs and specialists. I help with new claims, research, and am part of an international network for doctors working with Thalidomide Embryopathy.
Dr Helen Smith MB ChB MRCGPTrust Medical Adviser I am a GP and medical adviser. I help support beneficiaries in understanding their health issues and liaise with GPs and specialists to offer advice on how best to support beneficiaries. I also help identify and support specialists with extra knowledge of thalidomide related problems to ensure excellent care is provided.
Hannah OvertonH&W Coordinator (Beneficiaries Who Lack Capacity) My background is in supporting adults with learning disabilities and cognitive impairments. I work with our beneficiaries who lack the capacity to manage their own finances, supporting them and their families to access any financial, health and wellbeing support they need.
Sally SheehyH&W Coordinator (Complex Cases) My background is health and social care. My role in the team is to respond to beneficiaries and keep pace with their changing and complex needs. I complete HNAs and provide support to navigate services and assist beneficiaries in obtaining appropriate help to maximise their independence.
Claire BlytheH&W Coordinator (Independence & Care) I am a registered Social Worker with a background in Adult Social Care. My role is to support beneficiaries to access the services they are entitled to, whilst promoting autonomy and independence. I complete HNAs and respond to day to day queries that arise as beneficiaries contact the trust.
Cheryl PinkneyH&W Admin Team Leader. I manage the H&W Admin team. I assist the medical advisers in supporting beneficiaries with health issues; process new applications to the Trust; and am involved in the administration of research projects. I offer support to beneficiaries and meet with beneficiaries to complete HNAs.
Michelle RobinsonComplex Cases & Senior Wellbeing Adviser My role is alongside Cheryl’s as first point of contact for beneficiaries to the Health & Wellbeing team. I act as Katy’s PA and also assist the Health and Wellbeing coordinators in supporting beneficiaries. I offer support to beneficiaries by phone, email, or face to face. I also carry out HNAs.
Annabelle Blackham Volunteer Coordinator & Wellbeing Adviser. I work with Cheryl and Michelle as a first point of contact for beneficiaries. I am responsible for Volunteer recruitment, development and identifying beneficiaries requirements that can be met by our volunteers.
Danielle GoodwinMedical Support & Wellbeing Adviser My main focus is to provide admin support to the Medical Advisers and to administer the Trust’s Private Referrals Process. In partnership with other Wellbeing Advisers, I also provide support to beneficiaries, act as a lead administrator for medical research projects and support the Trusts’ HNA programme.
Finance Team
Jeff PrevostFinance Coordinator (Beneficiary Support) I provide support to beneficiaries with regards to a range of financial matters including: payment requests; developing personalised budget plans, applications for Advances; providing guidance on mortgage lending, and information on Wills, trusts and Power of Attorney.
Keith EverestFinance Officer I maintain the Trust’s financial records, produce financial and management reporting, and liaise with the Trust’s auditors to make sure our accounts are accurate. I manage the Finance Assistant in their role of making payments to suppliers, beneficiaries, and volunteers.
Finance AssistantVacant Post
Trust Management & Support Team
Lynsey ClarkeOffice Manager/Executive Assistant to the Executive Director I’m EA to the Executive Director and provide support to trustees. I am responsible for the HR for the Trust. I am part of the Management Team. I manage the Senior Admin Officer and provide leadership to the admin team – overseeing IT systems, managing the office, budgets and governance matters.
Charlotte BlackSenior Administrative Officer One of my main focuses is managing and administrating the website and the beneficiary database. I manage Sarah and together we carry out various admin tasks, send out beneficiary comms, organise events and answer the phones. I also support Lynsey with recruitment and organise the NAC elections.
Sarah HolyoakAdministrative Officer I am the first point of contact on the phones and manage the beneficiaries AA car breakdown scheme. I support Charlotte and Lynsey with the admin for the Trust team including sending communications to our beneficiaries as well as the day to day running of the office.
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