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The JDRF team

We are a national team, with many of us having lived experience of type 1 diabetes. We are based in various locations across the UK and share a dedication to finding better treatments and an eventual cure for type 1.

Our senior management team

Karen Addington

Karen Addington

Chief Executive

The cure would mean a world without type 1 diabetes for future generations. It would be the most amazing gift JDRF could deliver to the 400,000 people living with type 1 in the UK. I am dedicated to finding the cure.

Rachel Connor

Rachel Connor

Director of Research Partnerships

I knew more about the molecules involved in type 1 than its day-to-day impact when I joined JDRF. That quickly changed (although I still know quite a lot about molecules), and the cure would mean more to me than any other scientific advance could.

Terence Lovell

Terence Lovell

Director of Fundraising and Engagement

Our supporters are an essential part of our work, unlocking our ability to take us one step closer to the day when we find a cure for type 1 diabetes. I’m inspired by our mission, humbled by our fantastic community and passionate about supporter centricity and achieving long term impact together.

Jonathan Taylor

Director of Finance and Resources

To me the cure for type 1 diabetes would mean among other things that nobody would have to endure the shock of such a life-altering diagnosis. I’ve had 25 years experience in the voluntary sector, with a particular interest in charities growing rapidly, and planning for and sustaining that growth.

Hilary Nathan

Hilary Nathan

Director of Policy and Communications

I’m inspired by the advances in medical research, but know that there is much more to do to prevent, cure and treat type 1 diabetes. In particular I am interested in improving people’s access to research and treatments.

Hayley Anderson

Hayley Anderson

Director of People and Operations

A cure would mean so much for those I know living with the condition and I’m inspired every day by the great work that JDRF does to try and make that a reality and am proud to play a small part in that. I love this job, I’m obsessed by maintaining our positive culture and making this a great place to work, where people feel they can make a real difference.

Our Board Directors

Meet the people who share ultimate responsibility for governing JDRF and directing how our organisation is managed.

Phil Aird Mash

Phil Aird-Mash

JDRF Chair

Chief Executive Officer of ITC Travel Group, Chairman of ACC Aviation and JDRF Board Director. I have lived with type 1 diabetes since I was 28 and consider myself fortunate that I was diagnosed swiftly and with great support from healthcare professionals and my family and friends. Since this time, I have always given much thought to the impact type 1 has on families, and in particular on children who are diagnosed with the condition. JDRF’s research to find a cure, alongside its work to support and improve the health, well being and quality of life of those affected, has tremendous personal resonance. I am delighted to be able to use my skills, experience and networks to help the cause.

Jared Chebib

Jared Chebib

JDRF Treasurer

I’m an Associate Partner at EY, and work as a management consultant in financial services. I joined JDRF’s Board in December 2020 as the Treasurer-elect. My younger daughter Emily was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when she was six. In the two years since, we’ve learned first hand about the impact type 1 diabetes has on children and their families. We’ve also learned how big a difference it makes to have the support of a great medical team, and the resources and hope that JDRF provides. I’m very pleased to have joined the JDRF team. And I believe that, together, we can make a huge difference to reduce the daily burden of type 1 diabetes on those it affects directly and their families.

Barrie Brien

Barrie Brien

Group CEO of STRAT7, a data driven strategy group; plus Non-Executive Chair, Director and Board Advisor to a portfolio of public and private companies and Board Director of JDRF. I have spent thirty years working in global media and marketing groups holding a variety of senior roles in the UK, Europe and North America. I was first introduced to JDRF ten years ago, when my niece was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. In 2014, my nine year old son was also then diagnosed and the condition has become an everyday battle for both our families. I am delighted to be part of the JDRF team to achieve its very clear mission of improving the lives of those afflicted by type 1 as well as finding a cure as quickly as possible.

Wilson Leech

Wilson Leech

An experienced Chief Executive, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer who has worked in financial services throughout his career. I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes when I was 16, some 40 or so years ago, when I was very focused on school and future careers. Despite the disruption, I went on to university where I took Business Studies, and subsequently qualified as an accountant. I joined JDRF UK’s Board in December 2020 and also served as a JDRFI Director on the Illinois Chapter’s Board when I lived in the United States. When I was planning my return to the UK, I asked to be introduced to the team here so I could continue to support the Charity’s amazing work. I am particularly interested in type 1 technology and ensuring everyone has access to the best treatments and devices for them. I also look forward to carrying on my work to support members of our fundraising department.

Dr Per Lundin

Dr Per Lundin

Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Evox Therapeutics Ltd, an Oxford-based exosome therapeutics company; Non-Executive Director of viral gene therapy company Combigene (COMBI); and Board Director of JDRF. I was diagnosed with type 1 in my mid 20s while completing my PhD. Despite having a good scientific understanding of the condition and having had family members with diabetes, one cannot really be prepared for the impact of a diagnosis. Having spent a large part of my career advising, founding and leading biotech companies working to develop advanced therapies against diseases of high unmet medical need I have seen first-hand the importance of charities in funding research, supporting patients and their families, and ultimately accelerating the development of curative therapies. In this era of remarkable pharmaceutical and biotechnology innovation I am excited to be able to contribute to JRDF’s mission to develop a cure for type 1 diabetes, a goal that is closer than it has ever been before.

Sarah Johnson

Sarah Johnson

Head of Patient Advocacy, EMEA at IQVIA, a leading global provider of advanced analytics, technology solutions and clinical research services to the life sciences industry dedicated to delivering actionable insights. Through my work, I build collaborations between patient organisations, charities and IQVIA that have a positive impact on the communities that we jointly serve. Until 2018, I was JDRF’s Director of Mission and I stayed in touch closely with the charity since leaving my staff role. I’m extremely proud of what the charity and people with type 1 diabetes have achieved together, and of JDRF’s tremendous progress over the past few years toward improved treatments and bringing us ever closer to cures. I’m delighted to return as a volunteer to contribute again in a small way to achieving a world without type 1 diabetes.

James M Lurie

James M Lurie

Corporate Attorney and Partner at Coviello Weber & Dahill LLP, JDRF Board Director – My brother and niece both have type 1 diabetes. The cure would be a dream come true for our family, the completion of a sacred promise I made to my brother and parents that I wouldn’t stop until a cure is found. Not to have to worry about complications, about daily shots and blood testing. To see the smile on my niece’s face that she no longer has to worry about any of these things. But what will be the cure? What ‘cures’ my brother and niece and others with type 1 diabetes may necessitate different remedies and then how do we be make sure that my and my brother’s grandchildren don’t become afflicted with type 1 diabetes? The research must go on. We need your help. There is a cure out there and together we can and will find it.

Nadia Swann

Nadia Swann

Former law firm partner with 20 years’ experience in financial regulation, now at the University of Oxford and Board Director of JDRF. My son and my sister were diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of 11, my uncle at the age of 4 and my brother-in-law when he was 10. My uncle and brother-in-law did not reach 40. Our family has lived with type 1 diabetes for three generations and has been greatly helped by the progress made in treatments and technologies over that time. My son’s technology has been life-transforming and has led me to a PhD in Translational Health Sciences at Oxford, looking at how to get medical innovations to more patients. I am passionate about supporting all aspects of research into type 1 diabetes and ensuring the next generation of families get access to transformative technologies. I am very grateful to be able to contribute to the work of JDRF by serving on the Board.

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