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Our Trustees

fundraisers, some trustees and some staff at a running event
Ian Ellington

Ian Ellington

Chairman

I have worked for my whole career in the food industry in a variety of commercial roles spanning sales, marketing, strategy and general management. I have worked for 2 (American) blue chip organisations : Mars Incorporated and Pepsico. I have lived and worked in the UK and France and had roles at both domestic market level and also with international / global responsibilities. I have extensive experience and a good network of contacts in communications and PR, design / printing and UK retail sectors. I have also had lots of exposure to general management issues, finance and budget management and strategic planning. I’m currently the MD of Walkers Snacks Ltd.

I am married with 4 children. My youngest, Tom, was diagnosed with unilateral RB in November 2008 and had an enucleation, losing his right eye….which was the beginning of my association with CHECT. I became a trustee in 2011

Lisa Brown

Lisa Brown

I trained as a nurse and health visitor and worked my way up to senior roles in the Emergency Department before becoming a health visitor. After over 20 years in the NHS I have now set up my own business developing properties for people with support needs. I have been a school governor and a support worker for National Blind Children’s Society.
 
I live in South Devon and I have two teenage sons, my younger son was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma when he was 3 months old. He had an extensive treatment journey at Birmingham Women’s and Children’s Hospital. I am honoured to serve CHECT and bring to the trustee role a mixture of professional experience and this personal involvement of being a parent of a child with RB and a visual impairment.
Lizzy Coleman

Lizzy Coleman

I am a Partner at Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP, specialising in Competition, EU and Trade law. I do a wide variety of work including advising on European and UK competition law investigations and on the application of international sanctions and export controls. 

I have been the legal trustee, and Chair of the Board’s Finance and Risk Committee, at CHECT since 2014.  I find both of these roles interesting and very rewarding, and really enjoy working with the Board and the excellent staff team. 

I am married to Aaron and we have a young daughter Matilda who keeps us on our toes!  We enjoy travelling, fly fishing, cooking and trips to the theatre.

Alex Brebbia

Alex Brebbia

I qualified as a civil engineer before becoming a chartered accountant and have spent the subsequent years investing in and sitting on the Boards of medium sized commercial enterprises. These roles have enabled me to experience a wide range of financial, strategic and managerial issues associated with businesses. 

At 18 months old I was diagnosed with unilateral Rb, leading to the loss of my right eye. Years later, when meeting other families who had been affected by Rb, it became clear to me that many would have benefitted from proactive support and information, both at the time of treatment and beyond, lessening their immediate and longer term trauma. CHECT provides this, as well as increasing awareness in order to catch the tumours earlier and assists with research into Rb. For these reasons I was pleased to have been accepted as a trustee.

 Andrea Bonzano

Andrea Bonzano

I am an electronic engineer who works in the financial industry. Originally from Italy, I live in London with my wife and 2 boys who keep asking me when the next CHECT weekend will be!

Although I had known CHECT for several years thanks to their incisive online campaigns, I remained a spectator until January 2015, when I joined the Board of Trustees where I try helping by applying my software and scientific skills.

Since November 2018 I have also become part of the Scientific Advisory Committee as a lay representative. There, I act as the bridge between the SAC and the Board of Trustees. I find both these roles within CHECT extremely interesting and rewarding as the people I meet are always very generous and helpful. 

Matt Holt

Matt Holt

Hello! As a survivor of bilateral retinoblastoma (Rb) myself, and having a grown up son who was also treated for the illness, I have first hand experience of the physical and mental challenges of the ‘roller-coaster ride’ that Rb brings to the life of a young person and their family.

I have been a CHECT trustee for a number of years now, seeing the charity grow and develop into the amazing organization it is today. My day job is as a primary school teacher and local education authority consultant. My amazing wife Kyla and I have two sons, George and Edward (not to forget our Airedale terrier Moose!). We live in West Yorkshire and enjoy camping, watersports, cycling and visiting Kyla’s native Scotland.

The contact we had with CHECT during George’s treatment made me appreciate the crucial role the charity plays in providing information and support for those affected by the disease. I am honoured to be involved in shaping the charitie’s future.

Rob Downes

Rob Downes

I am an NHS consultant specialising in anaesthetics and intensive care medicine. My reason for getting involved with CHECT is that my eldest child, James, was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma when he was seven months old. He was treated at Birmingham Childrens Hospital with a combination of chemotherapy, cryotherapy and laser surgery.

He now has both visual and hearing impairment but is an inspitation to us all. He rarely complains and just gets on with life. James is an ambassador for CHECT and fundraises, busking at Christmas, playing carols on the saxophone. James is also very active in scouting, he’s training to be a Young Leader and has recently joined the National Scout and Guide Concert Band.

I am married to Valerie and we have four children together. When not working, we enjoy getting away in our caravan, walking, canoeing and fishing.

Gemma Boggs

Gemma Boggs

I am a Chartered Accountant and currently work in the Scottish education sector delivering new infrastructure investment. Married to Andrew, we have a little son Charlie, and Darcie who is the latest addition to our family.

I first came across CHECT in 2016 when our son Charlie was diagnosed with Rb. He has since completed chemotherapy and is currently stable. CHECT has been a hugely important part of Charlie’s journey from the early identification of symptoms through to the support we get from the team each time with visit London for a check-up.

Having undertaken some early fundraising activity and then supporting CHECT through awareness raising, I’m now delighted to take on the role of Trustee and Treasurer.

Michelle Boothroyd

Michelle Boothroyd

I have worked in Human Resources throughout my career having held senior roles at Nationwide Building Society, Santander and RBS delivering strategic people & cultural transformation. I am currently Chief People Officer at Grainger PLC and Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development.  I am passionate about creating inclusive environments where everyone thrives and empowering people to be at their best.

I live in Surrey with my husband and two dogs who keep us busy exploring the countryside.  We enjoy going to the theatre, music concerts and travelling.  I’m delighted to be joining the CHECT as Trustee and supporting the team.

Damien Yeo

Damien Yeo

I am a Consultant Paediatric Ophthalmologist working in Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool. As a clinical fellow in London, I worked with CHECT and loved the work that they do for patients with Retinoblastoma.

My clinical interests are related to all manners of paediatric eye conditions. I am also a NHS England Clinical Entrepreneur and my projects include working on innovative solutions to improve the quality of life of children with sight impairment. 

My wife and I enjoy travelling and hiking with our dog Coco. I became a Trustee in early 2022. It is a privilege to work with such generous individuals and I hope to support the Board with my professional experience.

 

Anya Ward

Anya Ward

I am an experienced professional working in the charity sector in the UK, with a special focus on disability inclusive safeguarding. I applied to work with CHECT in 2023 and am pleased to now be acting as the safeguarding trustee. I have been following the work of CHECT since I was a child when I was treated for Unilateral Rb. I believe the resources produced by CHECT are fantastic and offer lifelong support to individuals and their families.

I live in London and love exploring the green spaces and history of the city. Another bonus is that living here allows me to attend more CHECT events, such as charity runs and Christmas celebrations. I look forward to many more events in my new role, where I can meet more CHECT members.

 
Patrick Tonks

Patrick Tonks

I am now semi retired having had over 40 years’ experience in both the private and charity sectors in a range of positions from European leadership to UK operational management.  For the last 15 years, I worked in the not-for-profit and charity sector. My last three charity roles have been focused on improving the lives of children, young people and their families.

My most recent position was for seven years as chief executive of CHECT – a role I thoroughly enjoyed and one which gave me a real insight into what is important to individuals and families affected by retinoblastoma, as well as some significant experience of how the charity can operate successfully. I am privileged to join the board of trustees of such a special Charity.

In my spare time, I enjoy spending time with my wife and three adult children, walking, reading and being close to the sea!