William Cook – Chief Executive Officer Expand Will was appointed CEO in 2017, working with and alongside deputy CEO Helen Matthews. Prior to that, he served as a Trustee of the charity and Chair of our Governance & Risk Committee from 2015. Will has been a supporter of the charity since its inception in 2005, although his involvement dates back to 2002. He was Chair of the charity fundraising committee supporting Tom Isaacs' 4500 mile charity walk (Coastin’) which resulted in the foundation of CPT. Will works with Helen and CPT’s Director of Research & Development, Dr Richard Wyse, to drive the Trust’s research programme. He leads our fundraising and communications teams to support that research, manages all staff and is responsible to our Trustee Board for the governance, efficiency and strategy of the charity. Will is a solicitor by profession, having been a partner of City firm Simmons & Simmons and intellectual property specialists Marks & Clerk during his 28-year career. He retired from partnership in 2018, but remains active for Marks & Clerk as its Senior Counsel and as a consultant in several areas of IP law.
Jo Malcher - Office Manager and Executive PA Expand Joanna joined CPT in January 2018 as Office Manager and Executive PA to CPT’s William Cook and Helen Matthews, having previously worked within the hospitality industry and school governance.
Helen Matthews - Deputy Chief Executive Officer Expand Helen Matthews is Deputy CEO of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust (CPT). She has been involved with CPT since its inception and worked alongside the late charity co-founder Tom Isaacs since 2002. Helen specialises in PR, marketing, event planning and administration. Helen oversees the charity’s current research and patient initiative projects as well as the day to day operations of the charity. Helen sits on CPT’s International Linked Clinical Trials and Research Committees.
David Gwynne Evans - Finance Director Expand Through his accountancy practice, Gwynne-Evans & Co, David is the accountant and company secretary for both The Cure Parkinson's Trust and Movers and Shakers (CPT). David is a chartered accountant who trained and qualified with Coopers & Lybrand and was UK finance director of The Jim Henson Company for 8 years until 2003. David now runs his own practice in north west London providing practical accountancy and taxation advice to small and medium sized companies.
Dr Richard Wyse - Director of Research and Development Expand Dr Richard Wyse is Director of Research and Development at The Cure Parkinson’s Trust (CPT). His role is to monitor scientific and medical developments into the causes and treatment of Parkinson's disease to design and foster promising new lines of therapeutic research and to promote beneficial worldwide scientific and clinical collaborations across the Parkinson's community. CPT’s International Linked Clinical Trials (LCT) programme is his brainchild. Richard also sits on CPT’s Research Committee.
Dr Simon Stott - Deputy Director of Research Expand Simon joined CPT in October 2018 as Deputy Director of Research. In addition to supporting Dr Richard Wyse (Director of Research) in progressing and expanding CPT’s Linked Clinical Trials initiative, Simon coordinates the research grants programme and is involved with science/ research communication. Originally from New Zealand, Simon brings over 15 years of experience in the field of Parkinson's research to this new position - in both the academic and biotech sectors. During his career, he has authored/ co-authored more than 25 scientific publications, has been involved in lab-based research as well as clinical studies, and his associations with world-class research groups has provided him with a wide international network of connections.
Leah Mursaleen - Research Grants Officer Expand Leah comes from a research background most recently completing a Masters of Research in Neuroscience. She became involved with the charity in 2014 and now works within the research team focusing on the research application process.
Dr Joy Duffen - Special Projects Manager Expand Formerly a trustee, Joy became more actively involved in the work of the charity in 2011 to spearhead CPT's involvement in Sense-Park, as well as to facilitate our Linked Clinical Trials programme where Joy’s entrepreneurial/biotech background supports this exciting initiative. Joy also sits on our Research Committee.
Rick Lay - Director of Fundraising and Marketing Expand Rick was appointed as Director of Fundraising and Marketing in July 2019. Diagnosed with Parkinson’s in 2017, Rick was inspired to join the charity after the screening of the BBC Two programme ‘The Parkinson’s Drug Trail: a miracle cure?’- a two episode documentary following nine individuals including the late co-founder of the charity Tom Isaacs through a pioneering drug trial. With a career that has spanned marketing and fundraising, including five years of senior leadership roles, Rick will focus on increasing donations and raising awareness of the charity’s single goal, to cure Parkinson’s.
Sarah Gibling - Special Events Officer Expand Sarah graduated from The University of Birmingham with a Theology degree. She volunteered at Macmillan Cancer Support for three months then worked for Volkswagen Financial Services before joining The Cure Parkinson's Trust.
Julia Jockelson - Events and Community Fundraising Executive Expand Julia graduated from The University of Edinburgh where she studied Linguistics and Spanish. She joined CPT in September 2017 helping to coordinate the October Club funded research and patient initiative, Parkinson’s Movement. She now supports CPT's events and community programme within the fundraising team.
Theresa Samworth - Philanthropy Manager Expand Theresa originally starting working for The Cure Parkinson’s Trust in 2007 as Fundraising Manager and left in 2015 to pursue new projects which included qualifying as a yoga teacher. Theresa re-joined us in May 2017 in a part time position as Philanthropy Manager. Theresa is supporting the fundraising team and is specifically focusing on working with our major donors and legacy supporters.
Ella Rogers - Major Gifts Executive Expand Ella joined CPT in September 2017 having studied for her undergraduate and Master’s degrees in History at the University of Warwick, during which time she worked in admin at Warwick’s Student Union and interned at a small local charity in Coventry. Ella is responsible for supporting Theresa and Maisie with all aspects of Major Giving.
Jess Wright - Fundraising Administrator Expand Jess graduated from The University of Chester with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science. She joined The Cure Parkinson's Trust (CPT) in November 2018 and is responsible for raising funds for the charity by administering donations and CPT finances as well as assisting in administration for the fundraising team.
Caroline Morrow - Marketing and Communications Manager Expand Caroline has worked with the charity since 2006. She has a marketing background and manages the communications team.
Suzanne Bailey - Website and Social Media Editor Expand Suzanne has worked with The Cure Parkinson's Trust since 2008. She is responsible for the creation and publishing of website content, and the digital marketing presence of the Trust.
Rachel Cunniffe - Press Officer Expand Rachel joined CPT in March 2018, having previously worked in magazine editorial and arts administration. Rachel is responsible for PR support and working towards increasing awareness of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust.
Gemma Marks - Marketing Executive Expand Gemma joined The Cure Parkinson's Trust communications team in May 2017 having previously worked for several organisations helping to build social media platforms and promote various events.