People | Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis

APF is a patient driven organisation, it is vital to us that our community is a safe space for all, regardless of background, sexuality, gender, disability, or race. We gain strength from the wide variety of backgrounds that people come with. We value your unique experience and want your voice to be heard.

Louise Wright

CEO

Louise joined APF in December 2018 after over 12 years as a CEO in the non-profit sector. She was inspired by the impact patients, carers and medical professionals were making to improve the lives of people with pulmonary fibrosis.

Becca Thomas

Digital Communications Manager

Becca joined APF in October 2018 and has over 10 years' digital expertise, bringing health information to patients and families affected by a range of diseases.

Claire Baker

Finance and Operations Manager

Claire started in January 2020 as APF’s Finance & Operations Manager. She has many years’ experience working in the not-for-profit sector as a finance and administration professional.

Debra Chand

National Support Manager

Debra joined APF in Oct 2019 with over 20 years’ experience helping people to live well via support groups and services in the non-profit sector.

Emma Byrne

Services and Fundraising Administrator

Emma started in October 2019 and has spent many years working in financial administration.

Emma Pelling

Freelance Media Relations

Emma joined APF in 2017 and has over 20 years’ experience bringing patient stories to the wider public via TV, radio and press.

Kerry Oliver

Finance & Operations Administrator

Kerry joined us in 2021 as Finance & Operations Administrator. She has many years’ experience working in finance and administration working in the travel and education sectors. Kerry main role is to effectively manage the finance and office function.

Joanna Ruck

Regional Support Coordinator North

Jo joined APF in April 2020. She has been a physiotherapist for 28 years, having specialised in respiratory care for most of that time.

Charlotte Teakle

Content and Communications Coordinator

Charlotte joined APF in August 2020, and has over 5 years of experience in content production and copywriting; with a background in digital marketing and events management.

Natalie Martin

Community and Corporate Fundraiser

Natalie has a wealth of experience in the third sector, having worked in medical, homelessness and animal welfare non-profit organisations over the last 12 years.

Sharon Moon

Individual Giving Co-ordinator

Sharon started at APF in August 2018 and brings a diverse set of skills and experience to her Individual Giving support role.

Sarah Seymour

Senior Fundraiser

Sarah joined APF in January 2020 after over 10 years in fundraising, including working for other health-related causes.

Wendy Adams

Research Officer

Wendy joined APF in September 2020. She studied Psychology at undergraduate level and has a PhD in Cognitive Neuroscience.

Steve Jones

Chair

Steve Jones worked for 35 years as an expert on social and economic problems of development in South Asia and Africa. He ran his own consultancy practice and worked for clients including the United Nations, the World Bank, the UK government and EU.

Dr Beckie Lang

Trustee

Beckie is a public health specialist. She is an advocate of science communication and worked in this field in academic, corporate, media and voluntary sectors. Beckie is currently CEO of the Parent-Infant Foundation, a mental health charity.

Elizabeth Bray

Trustee

Elizabeth worked in the further education sector for over 30 years, as a lecturer and curriculum manager - and then leading college business development.

Dr. Gisli Jenkins

Trustee

Professor of Experimental Medicine, University of Nottingham and Clinical Lead for the Nottingham Interstitial Lung Diseases Unit, Dr Jenkins heads a laboratory researching pulmonary fibrosis.

Dr Helen Parfrey

Trustee

Dr Helen Parfrey is a consultant respiratory physician at Royal Papworth Hospital. She is actively involved in research on pulmonary fibrosis and undertakes clinical and translational research on the role of innate immunity and infection.

Howard Almond

Trustee

Howard Almond has worked in the computer software industry for 50 years, including over 20 years in Austria and Germany. He is still active in developing computer software solutions and is also busy with his son’s businesses.

Stephen Morgan-Hyland

Trustee

Stephen has over 20 years’ experience as a planning and property consultant and is a recognised expert in commercial development and regeneration.

Dr Simon Hart

Trustee

Dr Simon Hart is Reader in Respiratory Medicine at Hull York Medical School and a consultant respiratory physician at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, where he is the lead clinician for the Interstitial Lung Disease Service.

Wendy Dickinson

Trustee

Wendy Dickinson is one of APF’s founding trustees. Her father, football manager Peter Taylor, died from IPF in 1990 at the age of sixty-two. She is working to improve the lives and outcomes for PF patients and their families in memory of her dad.