The 'Book Now' button is to book your tickets for the Awards Ceremony and not for the Spring Party
The Memcom Excellence Awards 2023 are independently judged by our expert panels who have been invited or have applied to become a judge. Many have judged with us several times and keep coming back!
Every year we invite experts and professionals from the world of membership to form our jury panel - from thought leaders, heads of associations, to consultants and suppliers working within the membership sector, each with an in-depth understanding of the industry's ever-changing landscapes.
This year's judges:
We are grateful to all our judges for their hard work to help make the Memcom Excellence Awards what they are.
Adam Boddison
Adam joined APM as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in September 2021. He has a non-executive director portfolio that includes being Chair of the Corporation at Coventry College and Trustee for a multi-academy trust providing education for 32,000 pupils across 58 primary, secondary and specialist settings. Adam is also a Visiting Professor at Stranmillis University College and the University of Leicester (School of Business). Prior to joining APM, Adam held leadership roles in several membership organisations including as CEO for nasen (National Association for Special Educational Needs) and Director of the Centre for Professional Education at the University of Warwick. He has published a range of books and articles and is a qualified clinical hypnotherapist.
Alastair Barr
Alastair is responsible for developing new services, commercial partnerships and improving operational effectiveness for the Third Age Trust, a federation of more than 1,000 membership groups representing a total of 400,000 individual members.
He has held senior positions in membership organisations in different sectors including accountancy, engineering, property and construction.
Interests and specialisms: strategy development, planning, membership services and communications, member engagement, professional standards and governance. Supporting associations and volunteers - balancing the needs of members, charitable objectives and commercial efficiency.
Alastair McCapra
Alastair McCapra is Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. He has previously served as CEO of the Landscape Institute and the Institute of Conservation. His specialisms include: Board member/Finance Committee member for organisations in the fields of communications, heritage and open knowledge.
Anne Barlow
Anne Barlow is Director of Membership and Operations at the British Chiropractic Association with a varied career that has spanned manufacturing through to healthcare. She has areas of interests including membership engagement, marketing & communications, ergonomics, and end user experience.
Anne Godfrey
Anne was appointed chief executive of GS1 UK in January 2021. GS1 has 115 Member Organisations, throughout the world, keeping consumers informed and protected through the power of standards.
Specialising in change management within the not-for-profit space, she has a proven track record of delivering challenging targets while harnessing the skills, knowledge and passion of members, staff and external stakeholders.
Previously, Anne held leadership roles across a diverse range of membership organisations, including time as CEO at both the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) and Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Anne was director of commercial and membership services at the Law Society, and commercial and marketing director at the Confederation of British Industry.
Anne’s earlier career in academic and professional publishing included senior sales, marketing and product development roles for publishers such as Prentice Hall and Thomson Reuters. She has a first-class honours degree from Glasgow University and a postgraduate diploma in law from Nottingham Law School.
Anne Marie Graham
Anne Marie joined UKCISA in 2019 from the Association of Commonwealth Universities, where she was Director of Chevening, the Foreign & Commonwealth Office’s flagship global scholarship scheme. Prior to that, Anne Marie has led on a range of educational programmes and projects promoting international mobility and intercultural exchange. At Universities UK International, she developed the first government-funded UK Strategy for Outward Mobility, and established the Go International programme to build capacity and influence institutional change in UK universities to increase the proportion of UKdomiciled students with international experience. Before moving into the education sector, Anne Marie spent several years in the language services industry managing high profile accounts with multinational engineering and pharmaceutical companies. Anne Marie is a linguist, with a first degree in Modern Languages from Anglia Ruskin University and a postgraduate translation qualification from University of Westminster
Anne-Marie Leech
Anne-Marie has a background in marketing, communications, and product development spanning commercial and not-for-profit organisations. As head of membership at GS1 UK, she is responsible for evaluating and designed a membership value proposition which represents the members’ needs, amplifying their voices within GS1 UK and raising awareness of GS1 UK within the sector.
Annette Woolman
Annette has worked in the charity sector for over 17 years, including roles with the National Council of Voluntary Organisations and as a previous Trustee of a local Council for Voluntary Service. She joined Coeliac UK in 2008 as Membership Services Manager with a focus of streamlining the newly developed membership scheme.
In 2016 Annette was appointed Director of Membership, Services and Volunteering and, leading a team of 11, is involved with the strategic development, delivery and monitoring of services, adding value to the membership experience and encouraging new members and supporters to join Coeliac UK. Annette is also an Ambassador (People & Volunteering) and Trustee for the Muscle Help Foundation.
Annette has worked in the charity sector for over 17 years, including roles with the National Council of Voluntary Organisations and as a previous Trustee of a local Council for Voluntary Service. She joined Coeliac UK in 2008 as Membership Services Manager with a focus of streamlining the newly developed membership scheme.
In 2016 Annette was appointed Director of Membership, Services and Volunteering and, leading a team of 11, is involved with the strategic development, delivery and monitoring of services, adding value to the membership experience and encouraging new members and supporters to join Coeliac UK. Annette is also an Ambassador (People & Volunteering) and Trustee for the Muscle Help Foundation.
Ben Beadle
Ben Beadle is the Chief Executive of the NRLA, the membership body that represents over 100,000 landlords across England and Wales. A landlord for 20 years, Ben has had a lengthy career in housing holding senior roles at Places for People and TDS and is a familiar face in the sector and in the media.
The Association was founded in 2020 and helps landlords – big or small – navigate the many challenges of the private rented sector, providing first class support, advice, learning resources and services as well as a powerful research and campaigning.
Bruce McGill
Bruce is an experienced not for profit leader with a track record of working at Board level to plan, develop and implement activities and programs in support of a wider vision and mission. For the last fifteen years he has worked for international membership bodies, helping these organisations to build their brands, deliver value to their stakeholders, develop successful propositions and provide relevant offerings to their members. Former CEO of the Society of Operations Engineers, he joined Mission Housing in November 2022 as their Chief Executive Officer.
Caroline Gumble
Caroline joined CIOB as CEO in 2019. She is responsible for the leadership of the Institute, supported by the Leadership Team of operational directors.
Caroline has extensive business leadership experience gained in the UK and overseas, within the automotive and capital goods sectors gained with Lucas Industries, Ransomes Sims & Jefferies, Textron Inc and membership organisation leadership within EEF Ltd / Make UK. She is also a Director of the Board of Trustees for the Institute of Export & International Trade and a Trustee of the CIOB's Benevolent Fund (now known as CIOB Assist).
Creating diverse, high-performing business environments is a passion for Caroline with a focus on skills development and lifelong learning.
Caroline is leading a member-focussed global transformation of the Institute, with the support and guidance of CIOB’s Trustee Board. She is passionate about highlighting the importance and significance of professionalism within the built environment.
Caroline is particularly interested in the potential of construction to be a force for positive societal change. Under Caroline’s leadership, CIOB is focussed on driving the cultural shift in EDI, social mobility, worker welfare, and in promoting quality, safety and sustainability in construction.
In her tenure at CIOB, Caroline has demonstrated that members of the Institute are central to our activities and plans, with the public interest at the heart of everything CIOB is active in.
Caroline Hollick-Ward
Caroline Hollick-Ward is the Head of Membership with the Corporate Governance Institute (CGI), a professional membership body dedicated to promoting best practice in corporate governance. Caroline is responsible for shaping and developing the membership strategy - to empower members to achieve their aspirations and be supported by the CGI and by its network of like-minded professionals.
Caroline has 15 years experience in membership. She has recently joined the CGI and is passionate about member centricity and is CX focused. Having spent the previous 5 years developing the membership model, strategy and long term vision for the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI). At the DMI, Caroline built a membership offering that benefits 250,000 digital marketing professionals across the globe.
Claire Angus
Claire Angus joined the Royal College of Podiatry (RCPod) in January 2018, as Director of Membership Services. Claire is responsible for leading, developing and implementing the organisation’s membership support, employment support and professional support strategies.
An experienced senior membership professional, Claire has worked in the Professional Membership Body sector for over 20 years. Prior to the RCPod, Claire was Assistant Director of Development at the Royal College of GPs (RCGP), where she was responsible for leading, developing and implementing the College’s membership, international and fundraising strategies for its 52,000 members. As well as increasing membership recruitment and retention, she also developed and launched a new membership experience strategy to modernise and personalise the way the organisation communicated and engaged with its members.
Before taking up this role, Claire spent 14 years at the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT) supporting its 125,000 members worldwide. Her AAT roles included Assistant Director of Global Development, leading new market development with a key focus on the Middle East, and Assistant Director of Education and Training, leading qualification development and student engagement.
Claire holds an MBA in Leadership Practice, MSc in Psychology and CIMA Advanced Diploma in Management Accounting.
Cristian Holmes
Cristian is CABA's chief executive. He writes and speaks widely on associations, professions and the not-for-profit sector.
Cristian holds a PhD from the University of Leicester that explored associations and professions. Prior to joining CABA in April 2020, he was Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer of the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy, helping grow the organisation to 52,000 members. Before this he was Marketing Director for the Institution of Chemical Engineers.
He has worked in the mental health wellbeing sector for over 20 years.
Cristian is a Fellow of the IoD and a Member of CMI.
Danielle Price
Danielle is Head of HR for the Food and Drink Federation, where she has worked since 2014.
Danielle’s HR career began with the British Transport Police, where she completed a Masters in Personnel and Development and obtained her CIPD qualification. She spent the following 6 years working in generalist HR roles within food manufacturing businesses, including Heinz and Warburtons. Before joining FDF, she worked as HR Manager for Newmedica, providers of specialist eye care.
As Head of HR, Danielle ensures the FDF’s people agenda supports the organisational goals. She works alongside colleagues to attract, recruit, retain and develop high quality talent as well as championing the employee wellbeing agenda. She is passionate about mentoring and is a CIPD Steps Ahead mentor.
David D'Souza
David joined the CIPD, the professional body HR and people development, in 2014 and has been its Membership Director since 2018. He is responsible for growing membership and ensuring the CIPD connects effectively with the profession to understand how it can continually improve its support offer.
He previously worked as an independent consultant and has also held roles across a range of financial services and retail organisations.
David is a respected and in demand speaker and writer on progressive HR and business practice, with his commentary regularly featuring in national media. He has expertise in a wide range of areas, including organisational development and culture, learning and development, corporate ethics and the future of work.
He is a Fellow of the Learning Performance Institute, the Centre for Evidence Based Management and the RSA - as well as being a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.
Derek Cribb
Derek Cribb is CEO of IPSE, the Association for Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed. Before this Derek was CEO of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries (IFOA) for 10 years. He has extensive experience of leading organisations in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. Derek is also a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.
Emma Wilcox
Emma was appointed as CEO of the Society for the Environment in July 2015, and since joining the organisation has led the development of a new five-year strategy increased registration numbers and enhanced engagement across a broad range of stakeholders.
The Society for the Environment is an umbrella professional body, which currently licenses 24 professional bodies to register their members as Chartered Environmentalists. Emma and her team work closely with each Licensed Body to ensure standards are met and opportunities are available to their members.
A Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute, Emma’s career has spanned a range of disciplines including scientific research, knowledge and technology transfer, education, programme and business management and stakeholder and relationship management. Her strong academic background is supported by an in-depth knowledge of both public and private sector landscapes. In recognition of her work, Emma was recently awarded ‘UK Professional Certification CEO of the Year’ in the Female CEO Excellence Awards.
Gareth Kingston
Gareth has worked for membership bodies of one form or another since 1994. He cut his teeth working for students’ unions before moving into the membership sector as the Head of Membership Services at Advice UK. After a stint with an environmental grant making charity Gareth returned to the world of membership first as a consultant, then as a manager of a community partnership, and for six years as a Membership and Marketing manager at the Royal College of Surgeons. Gareth joined the Chartered Quality Institute in 2016 as Head of Membership, and in 2022 took on the challenge of creating a new team at the CQI as Head of Professional Development.
Gary Waltham
Gary joined the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Healthcare (FSRH) as Chief Executive in 2021 and has worked over his first 16 months in post to lead a comprehensive governance review, implement a programme to enhance member benefit and experience and oversee the development of a new organisational strategy. He was previously an Executive Director at the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists for six years, where he led the education, quality and project areas of the College. He is extensive experience in leading organisational development and change management and has overseen numerous modernisation programmes across his career. Prior to working at RCOG, Gary accrued 15 years’ experience working in postgraduate medical education both at Health Education England (HEE) and the London Postgraduate Deanery. He has a BSc in sociology and an MSc in human resources.
Gordon Miles
Inspirational leader with significant executive and strategic experience in commercial and regulatory sectors. Portfolio includes leadership of Finance, Human Resources, IT and Business Operations, combined with responsibility for leading and managing organisational change. Passionate about creating and leading quality, high performing and motivated teams who are empowered to deliver to corporate and stakeholder goals.
Key outstanding achievements include setting up high profile projects in the public domain, establishing the Dental Complaints Service, winning the National Customer Service Award, leading a project to purchase and refit a new headquarters for the Royal College of Emergency Medicine
Specialties: Executive leadership and change skills. Leads complex programmes, projects and initiatives. Complaints management. Team development.
Heather Lishman
Heather Lishman is Association Director of ABPCO, a dedicated industry association representing the voice of professional conference organisers whose credentials clearly demonstrate the skills, knowledge and experience required to plan and organise major UK and international conferences.
- Website:
- www.abpco.org
- LinkedIn:
- https://linkedin.com/in/heatherlishman
Helen Anderson
Helen is Managing Director of The Network One, a membership organisation looking after all the independently run communications, public relations and marketing agencies around the world.
Previous to that she led the Global Marketing and Communications team at the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment for seven years and was Director of Communications and Events at the US Chamber of Commerce in London looking after the interests of business across the transatlantic corridor working with the US Embassy and Ambassador in London and the UK House of Lords from 2016-2017. In 2009-2015 she led the Marketing and Communications function for the City of London Corporation’s 14 Open Space Trusts, which included a rebrand of some iconic sites around London such as Epping Forest and Hampstead Heath. From 2005 – 2009 Helen was Head of Events and Communications for the Association of Town and City Centre Management, an organisation sharing best practice for city centre, town centre and place managers. Helen started her career at the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) where she delivered a programme of events for property professionals and launched the RICS brand in China in 2005.
Helen has a Masters in Leadership and Management, is a Chartered Fellow and on the Ethics Committee of the Chartered Institute of Marketing, is a Chartered PR Practitioner and Member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, is a Trustee for the Faculty for Sport and Exercise Medicine, on an Advisory Panel for GamCare, a volunteer for the Re-engage charity in the UK, a Governor for Thames Park Secondary School and she is Chair of a Primary School Governing Body for the Osborne Academy Cooperative Trust.
Helen Gordon
Helen has been Chief Executive of the Science Council since February 2019. Prior to this, she had 13 years of leading professional membership organisations following a career in the health service. Originally training as a nurse at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London, she progressed through a number of clinical and managerial positions in hospitals in the National Health Service, before leading The Hillingdon Hospital and then Queen Mary’s Sidcup NHS Trust in South East London as Chief Executive.
She then moved to national roles to support the development of health professionals. Between 2005 and 2018, Helen has led the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, the Royal Pharmaceutical Society and the Royal Society of Medicine.
Helen is also the President of Council, University of Reading having been appointed in August 2022 and has served on their Council for five years before this. She is also a trustee of the charity Aesop, Arts Enterprise for Social Purpose.
In her spare time she is a keen saxophonist and scuba diver.
Helen Oldfield
Helen Oldfield is Membership and Marketing Director at the Market Research Society (MRS) responsible for the delivery of training and qualifications, membership, company accreditation and the marketing of MRS’s services. Having worked for three professional organisations in senior positions over the past 20+ years, she specialises in building brand recognition and commercial success. She is passionate about the value of membership organisations and the place they hold in supporting their respective sector and profession.
Helen previously worked for six years from 1986 for the Chartered Institute of Quality (CQI) in a communications role, and then in 1993 moved to head up the marketing team for 11 years at the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM). She has worked at MRS since 2015.
With a degree in social science focusing on society and psychology, her original academic interests are proving very useful while working for the professional body of the research sector.
Henry Hall
Henry has worked in the events industry for over 10 years and has a strong record of delivering operations and promoting events in the UK. As the Head of Business Development at CrowdComms, he supports hundreds of clients to achieve their ultimate event objectives utilizing event technology. From the Olympics to Glastonbury, conferences to symposiums, Henry has worked with some of largest events in the UK. With experience on stage as an actor and auctioneer at theatres such as the Royal Albert Hall, Olympic Stadium and Colston Hall, he has a natural onstage presence and is a keen speaker at industry events. Outside of work, Henry has a passion for mountaineering, hosts music festivals and helps support numerous community events in the South West, UK.
James Thorne
James has been the CEO of the Institute of Quarrying for six years. Prior to his current position for eight years James held senior roles within the professional membership sector with IOSH and IEMA supporting members in education, best practice, and standards development.
As CEO of the Institute of Quarrying James has led the organisation through its centenary celebrations in 2017 and worked with the Institutes governance in reviewing and launching its new strategy in 2018. Having steered the IQ through the Pandemic, James has worked to relocate the Institute to the National Stone Centre in Derbyshire, with planning permission currently submitted for a new £6.5 million centre of excellence for the mineral extractives industry. Through his role James has engaged with a range of stakeholders to help deliver on the objectives of the Institute, its members and the industry.
After studying for a degree in Environmental Science and post graduate qualification in Town and regional planning James’s early career was spent within the timber industry
Jane Frost
Jane Frost is CEO of MRS, the UK’s professional body for research which also regulates the UK sector, campaigning for better standards in data use via its trust mark Fair Data. MRS champions research and insight to government and business. MRS is the world’s oldest research association and represents both individuals and companies, qualifying researchers around the world.
Jane spent 8 years at senior levels in government, spearheading customer intelligence and strategy, latterly in HM Revenue & Customs, for which work she received the CBE.
With an international career working on brands like Shell, the BBC and Unilever, Jane has over 150 creative and marketing awards to her credit, including for the BBC’s record breaking “Perfect Day” campaign. She has always said that great insight was key to organisational transformation.
At the BBC, she was part of readying technology businesses for sale.
Jane is Vice-Chair of Fairtrade and a trustee of the Lowry as well as being a trustee of the sector charity MRBA and Archive, (AMSR). She has recently been made Co-Chair of the Red Cross Tiffany Circle.
Jessica Levy
Jessica Levy is Director of Communications at the Federation of Master Builders, and a member of the FMB’s Senior Management Team. She is responsible for the public affairs, policy, media, marketing, digital, events and member communications functions of the FMB, and has led the FMB Comms Team to award wins in digital development and member events. Jessica has held previous lobbying roles in the housing association and local government sectors, and she worked as a political adviser in the 2010-15 Parliament.
Jo Reynolds
Jo has more than 25 years’ experience in the non-profit sector, focused mainly on scientific research, community engagement and strategy. Jo is currently a member of the Leadership Team and Director of Science and Communities at the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). She is also a Trustee of Leukaemia UK. Prior to this, Jo spent the majority of her career in two major biomedical charities, Cancer Research UK and the Wellcome Trust. Jo has a degree and PhD in Biochemistry from the University of Cambridge and is also a qualified Executive Coach.
John Newcomb
John Newcomb has led the BMF, the trade association for the building materials supply chain, since 2012. During his tenure he has overseen the introduction of initiatives that have broadened its relevance and appeal and the BMF has grown in member numbers and influence to become the voice of the Building Materials industry.
In 2020, John was appointed to the Construction Leadership Council’s Construction Industry Taskforce, working with government and trade bodies representing the whole construction ecosystem to co-ordinate the industry’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic and keep the critical components of the building materials supply chain operating. In recognition of the positive impact of his work with the CLC, John was named by the Business Leader Magazine as one of 32 top Business Heroes during the COVID crisis.
John is the current President of UFEMAT, the European trade body for the merchant industry, and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants and the Worshipful Company of Marketors.
John is a former vice-chair of the Construction Product Association’s executive committee and sits on the board of the Trade Association Forum. In 2019 he received the Trade Association Forum’s prestigious Leadership Award.
John holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) from the University of Bradford Management Centre. Prior to joining the BMF, he held senior Marketing, Commercial and Managing Director roles within the DIY and housewares industry, and maintained a 15-year involvement with BHETA, the British Home Enhancement Trade Association, the last two years as President.
John was also nominated for Chief Executive of the Year at the Association Awards UK in 2015 and 2016 and the IoD Director of the Year Awards 2017.
John Pearce
Joh is a respected digital leader with over 25 years of experience in the field. As the Director of Digital and Publishing for ICAEW, John has been responsible for the organisation's content and channels and has overseen the development of a centre of excellence for digital.
With a passion for artificial intelligence and its potential impact on the workplace, John is committed to staying at the forefront of digital innovation. He has extensive knowledge of email marketing and social media and understands the importance of data and how it is stored, managed, and utilized.
As a master's degree holder in digital marketing, John is well-equipped to speak on the subject and has shared his insights at numerous events. He understands the importance of linking digital strategy to organisational strategy and is committed to helping businesses develop and execute effective digital tools.
Throughout his career, John has demonstrated a proven track record of improving customer experiences, influencing key stakeholders, and delivering solutions that exceed expectations.
Jonathan Brüün
Jonathan Brüün has over a decade of experience leading scientific and medical membership organisations. He is currently Chief Executive of the Royal College of Anaesthetists (RCoA), which represents the largest single hospital specialty in the NHS, and has previously served as Director of Communications then CEO of the British Pharmacological Society. Jonathan’s interests lie in developing high performing teams in non-profit organisations, and in building the inclusive and principled working culture that supports them. In addition to his role at RCoA, Jonathan is a trustee of the Science Media Centre and Chair of Sense About Science.
Josie Twinning
Creative whirlwind Josie Twinning is membership and partnerships director at the Chartered Institute of Housing (CIH). Having joined CIH in 2010 as head of marketing and communications, Josie’s passion for creating true member value and imagining new innovations meant her role in the organisation expanded. She sits on the CIH executive team, working regularly with the board, fellow colleagues and members from across the UK. Josie lives for breaking down barriers and inspiring change to enable everyone to think bigger and shine brighter in their careers.
Kate Lancaster
Kate joined the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) as Chief Executive in March 2019, having previously held a number of Board Director roles in both the English and Scottish National Health Service, including roles at Cambridge University Hospitals NHS FT, Royal Papworth NHS FT and NHS Forth Valley. Kate also held senior leadership roles within Cambridge University Health Partners, an academic health science centre, and the eastern academic health science network where she built partnerships across the health service, industry and academia.
As CEO of the RCOG, a global organisation working across more than 100 countries, Kate is committed to working with partners to improve the health of women and girls. The RCOG is an international membership organisation and professional body for more than 16,000 O&G doctors. She has invested in building successful international partnerships for the benefit of women’s health world-wide and has led the work to establish the women’s health hub at the RCOG in Union Street, creating a growing collaborative community of 10 women’s health organisations, including the Royal College of Midwives.
In addition to her Chief Executive role, Kate is a Non-Executive Director of the Kent, Surrey and Sussex Academic Health Science Network and until recently was a Trustee of Magpas, the Air Ambulance Charity.
Kate mentors a number of senior leaders, is a qualified leadership coach and is an Associate Alumni of the Judge Business School, University of Cambridge.
Kion Ahadi
Dr Kion Ahadi joined The Law Society in May 2019 in the newly created role of Director of Strategy, Futures and Insight. He is responsible for developing and leading the Law Society’s new corporate strategy (2022-2025) and has developed a best-in-class insights and analytics function. His main interest lies in understanding the future issues impacting the legal profession, to help inform The Law Society’s 200,000 plus members. Before joining The Law Society, Kion worked in senior positions leading data, insight, research and evaluation teams within The National Lottery Heritage Fund, as well as ScreenSkills, the industry-led skills charity for the creative industries. He has also worked for Nesta, an Innovation foundation, which brings bold ideas to life to change the world for the better. At Nesta, he led a £70m investment fund, which backed innovative projects across the National Health Service. Kion has an exemplary academic record: PhD in Sociology focused on investigating the evolution of human consciousness, MSc International Business (Distinction), and a 1st class honours degree in Business Economics. He has also authored a science fiction novel “Exit Darkness, Enter Light”.
Lee Davies
Lee Davies is the Chief Executive of CIPA. Lee joined in February 2012, having previously been the Deputy Chief Executive of the Institute for Learning (IfL), the professional body for further education teachers and trainers.
Lee has a background in further and higher education, having led the Thames & Solent District of the Workers’ Educational Association (WEA), a voluntary membership body providing adult education, and before that having held a number of senior roles at Highbury College, in Portsmouth.
Lee describes his career path as somewhat unconventional, having started his working life as an apprentice plumber in Portsmouth. Lee was given the chance to try his hand at part-time plumbing teaching in the late 80s and the rest, as the saying goes, is history. Lee freely admits that coming to work in membership associations was a complete accident. He says that he hadn’t really identified the importance of membership to the WEA when he joined it in 1999 (despite the giveaway name), but he was soon hooked on working with volunteer members and has considered himself to be a membership professional ever since.
Lee also has experience of volunteering as a member and holding elected office, having been the 2011–12 President of the Chartered Institute of Plumbing and Heating Engineering (CIPHE). Lee is a frequent speaker at events in the membership sector, covering topics such as association leadership and governance, professionalism and the future of professional identity. Lee is a keen (though no longer much good) squash player and a sea fishing enthusiast.
Follow Lee on Twitter here.
Linda Hausmanis
Linda was appointed CEO in October 2016 where she embarked on a programme to create a modern professional body, the Institute of Workplace and Facilities Management and to re-position workplace and facilities management as a value-creating profession. Linda joined the former British Institute of Facilities Management in April 2007 where she delivered an educational strategy that enabled the Institute to become a regulated Awarding Organisation. Working with the sector, she went on to lead the Institute’s work to develop professional vocational qualifications in facilities management, which are now accredited and delivered internationally. She spearheaded the development of Professional Standards for facilities management which are now embedded by employers in the recruitment, development and management of professionals in the UK and beyond. IWFM provides value to a membership community of around 14,000 and to the sector more widely. Its vision is to be the trusted voice of a distinct profession recognised, beyond the built environment, for its ability to enable people to transform organisations and their performance.
- Website:
- www.iwfm.org.uk/
- LinkedIn:
- https://linkedin.com/in/linda-hausmanis-bbab35
Liz Stockley
After 19 years working in senior leadership roles in New Zealand, Liz Stockley returned to the UK, joining the BDA As CEO mid-2022. The BDA has a growing membership, currently over 10,500 strong and as well as being the professional body for dietitians is also a trade union. Prior to this appointment Liz was CEO of General Practice New Zealand and was on the board of a number of high-profile organisations. She has an MBA from Massey University and received her Chartership from the Institute of Directors in New Zealand in 2021. Liz is passionate about good governance and about developing future leaders.
Lizzie Lockett
Lizzie joined the RCVS, the UK regulatory body for veterinary surgeons and veterinary nurses, in February 2005 as Head of Communications, bringing with her 13 years' experience working in IT/telco, agricultural, environmental and veterinary marketing communications both in the UK and across Europe. She later became RCVS Director of Strategic Communications. In autumn 2014, Lizzie set up the Mind Matters Initiative (MMI), to make a difference to the mental health and wellbeing of members of the veterinary team. Lizzie was appointed CEO in November 2017.
Lizzie is a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and holds a degree in English from St John’s College, Oxford.
She sits on the Communications and Fundraising Committee of the Mental Health Foundation, is a Director of the Veterinary Policy Research Foundation and a Trustee of RCVS Knowledge.
Lucy Whitman
Lucy Whitman is the Head of Marketing at CIBSE, the professional body for building services engineers. Lucy has over 10 years of experience working for membership bodies but started her career within the commercial events sector. She joined CIBSE in 2015 overseeing the commercial marketing activities of the Institution, focusing on building MQLs and launching a new sales pipeline process, building a stronger relationship between marketing and sales. After a few years she moved into the Head of Marketing role where she now oversees the marketing strategy for the three CIBSE business groups. Lucy holds two degrees in mathematics and product design and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. Lucy also has a passion for mentoring and training, and in her spare time teaches swimming and lifesaving skills to children of all ages.
Mark Stevens
Mark is the Client Relationship Director at Liquona, an award winning creative moving image agency on a mission to deliver fantastic results for our clients. He has degrees in singing and business studies hoping to one day find a way to combine them both.
He has a passion (and a slight over enthusiasm!) for ensuring that Liquona don’t just deliver stunning films that make you look good but also delivering outstanding customer service. The journey that our client’s go on when producing a film with Liquona is just as important as the final delivered piece he can often be heard muttering in his sleep.
Liquona's talented and dedicated team are committed to creating high quality, content rich films with cutting edge finesse and have made a name working in the healthcare, finance, charity and membership space.
In his spare time Mark performs locally in musical theatre as well as keeping fit looking after his two beautiful children.
Matt Day
Matt helps organisations to change the way they are perceived, by developing creative and highly visual digital content that affects what people know and feel about them. Always looking to increase engagement and to innovate, LIQUONA have achieved several firsts in the membership sector with approaches that include Animation, Virtual Reality, Interactive Video and Web apps.
Neil Carberry
Neil Carberry was appointed as Chief Executive of the Recruitment and Employment Confederation in June 2018 having been managing director at the Confederation of British Industry, leading the CBI’s work on the labour market, skills, energy and infrastructure. In 1999, Neil began his career in recruitment working for executive search firm Fraser Watson before doing a post-graduate degree in Human Resources at the London School of Economics and joining the CBI in 2004. He is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD and a Fellow of the RSA. He is a member of the council of the conciliation service ACAS and a former member of the Low Pay Commission, which recommends UK minimum wages. A three-time nominee to the SIA staffing100 in Europe, he is also on the board of the World Employment Confederation and a primary academy trust in Oxfordshire. Neil is an RFU qualified rugby coach and is one of the 8000 co-owners who made Heart of Midlothian the UK’s biggest fan-owned football club.
Noorzaman Rashid
Noorzaman is Chief Executive of the CEME. He has a successful track record of leading professional services firms, public sector agencies and working with membership bodies at board level. He has worked in South Africa, Japan, the US and Russia. Noorzaman is chair of several organisations including the Foundation for Social Improvement, which has 8,000 organisational members, the Centre for Management Consultancy Execellence and Play Action International.
Oliver Hall
Oliver is co-founder at Liquona, an award winning creative agency.
He has worked in communications for nearly 20 years, he is an expert in engaging audiences via video. He is passionate about reaching audiences with information that moves them.
Oliver has vast experience in building brands, websites, and digital identities.
Paul McLaughin
Paul joined RSSB in February 2018 from Building Engineering Services Association (BESA), a trade association within the construction industry. As its Chief Executive he led the organisation to deliver value and benefit to members. Prior to this he was Managing Director at Scotty Brand and the first Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink. At the latter, an industry membership organisation, he developed sector-wide strategies focussed on commercial results. He lobbied and influenced government and established Scotland Food & Drink as the industry’s main leadership body.
Before joining Scotland Food & Drink, Paul worked at Mars and then The Coca-Cola Company, most recently as Commercialisation Director responsible for North West Europe.
Paul gained a first-class honours degree in Electronic Engineering from the University of Glasgow, and also holds a Diploma in Company Direction from Durham University Business School.
Paul Rees
Paul Rees joined the Royal College of Psychiatrists as Chief Executive in November 2016, from the Royal College of GPs – where he was Executive Director of Policy and Engagement.
Working closely with the RCPsych Honorary Officers, Paul has led the modernisation of the RCPsych – leading to the transformation of College IT, stronger membership communication, more effective stakeholder engagement and a dynamic employee relations strategy.
In collaboration with the College Officers, Paul led the introduction of a values-based approach to the way the organisation works with both its members and staff team – based on the organisational values of Courage, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, Learning and Excellence, which were introduced in 2018.
Among other things, this new approach saw the College celebrate Pride and Black History Month for the first time ever in 2019, and International Women’s Day for the first time in 2020.
The values-based approach led to the College being awarded Charity of the Year in the European Diversity Awards in 2019. In 2020, Paul was shortlisted for the Louis Armstrong CEO Leadership Award in the Memcom Awards.
Paul began his career as a journalist working at the Times, Sunday Telegraph and BBC national network news.
A move into communications saw him co-lead the successful right to roam campaign as Head of Communications at the Ramblers Association, which led to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.
Later, as Head of Campaigns and Communications at the National Housing Federation, Paul managed the campaign which brought about an end to the pre-payment meter tariff charged by the 'Big Six' energy companies to low income households for gas and electricity – saving £100m a year for less affluent families.
As Director of Communications at the Charities Aid Foundation, he ran an award-winning campaign in 2012 that successfully persuaded the Chancellor to drop his proposed 'charity tax' on large donations, a tax that would have cost the charity sector £500m per year.
In other roles, Paul worked as Director of Communications on the Victoria Climbié and Zahid Mubarek public inquiries, and held the post of Head of Communications at the Home Office.
As Director of Communications at the Association of University Teachers he co-led a successful, national campaign to protect the pay and conditions of university lecturers.
Pearl Mensah
Pearl has a distinguished career within the professional membership sector. Her roles have included Head of Membership at the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers (CIBSE) and she is currently the Director of Membership and Professional Standards at the Royal Aeronautical Society.
Peter Wright
Peter has over 20 years’ experience in charity communications, campaigns and fundraising, and has been the Head of Marketing and Communications at Thirtyone:eight for over six years. His background in senior leadership within the charity sector spans local, national, and international charities and NGO's where he has worked to connect people to issues of poverty, justice, health care and human rights. In his current role at Thirtyone:eight, one of the UKs leading independent Safeguarding charities, he has led the charity’s communications and PR work supporting faith and community groups to raise standards in safeguarding and child protection, work which was awarded the Association Excellence Awards 'Best lobbying campaign or advancement of a cause 2019'. His specialisms lie in brand development, strategic communications, and design. Peter also mentors other aspiring Communications professionals, and works as a volunteer supporting parents of children with speech and language challenges and adults to improve their mental health and wellbeing.
Rachel Letham
Rachel Letham is currently Head of Communications at The Marketing Society. Her background is in corporate communications, marketing and operations within the Fresh Produce industry and worked for 13 years in this field. She is also a trained positive mindset and self care coach who works with US tech companies, primarily in the field of vision boards. Her specialisms lie in brand strategy, social media and communications both internal and external and is a mentor to senior leaders in business
Richard Ellithorne
Richard has extensive senior management experience at membership services organisations. As membership services director at the Builders Merchant Federation (BMF) his task is to drive forward the wide ranging portfolio of services the BMF offer their members and be responsible for developing new commercial opportunities. The role also includes management of the training services which are a major part of the BMF's activities and also encompasses the responsibilities of Company Secretary.
As operations director at the Road Haulage Association (RHA) he worked on improving business partner arrangements, launched new training services for members and helped increase membership recruitment.
Following business development, operational and project management roles with major distribution companies Richard was head of information forums & influence with the Chartered Institute of Logistics & Transport UK (CILT UK) prior to joining the RHA.
Richard Evans
Richard Evans started work in the NHS as a hospital porter. He was inspired to train as a diagnostic radiographer and qualified in 1982. His clinical career in London and Salisbury included speciality interests in neurological imaging and cross-sectional imaging. He went on to become a general manager at Poole Hospital in Dorset. Richard was an active member of the health-workers union CoHSE and then of the Society of Radiographers. In 2004 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Society and the College of Radiographers, a position he has held ever since.
The Society of Radiographers is the professional body and trade union for all non-medical members of the diagnostic imaging and radiotherapy workforces in the UK. There are currently around 31,000 members including students and some 80% of radiographers registered to practice by the Health and Care Professions Council.
Rob Yeldham
Rob Yeldham is director of Strategy, Policy and Engagement for the 60,000 strong professional body and union the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.
He is also Vice-Chair of the Arthritis and Musculoskeletal Alliance which has patient and professional groups as members. He has thirty years’ experience in campaigning and PR and is a chartered PR Practitioner.
Rona Hunnisett
Rona Hunnisett is deputy communications director at Logistics UK, one of the UK’s biggest business groups. Her experience encompasses agency as well as inhouse roles working for a broad range of organisations across a host of sectors including Cadbury’s Confectionery, WorldSkills UK, England Netball, 20th Century Fox and even Stannah Stairlifts.
Ruth Stuart
Ruth Stuart is the Head of Strategy Development at the CIPD, the professional body for experts in people at work. She is responsible for developing and evolving the CIPD’s long-term strategy and is passionate about putting people at the heart of organisations.
Ruth joined the CIPD in 2013 as Research Adviser for Learning and Development (L&D), focusing on the latest trends in L&D and transformational change. Prior to joining the CIPD Ruth held a number of roles within Tesco plc in both specialist L&D, OD and generalist HR roles. She holds a first degree in politics and modern history, an MA in Human Resource Management and is a Chartered member of the CIPD. Ruth volunteers as council member for Leaders Plus – a social enterprise enabling individuals to progress in their careers whilst enjoying their young families.
Sandy Mather
Sandy is a values based leader. She has a wealth of experience at senior management level, leading strategy and change programmes for non profit organisations and membership bodies particularly those involved in professional education, training, standards, research and international development. She joined the Intensive Care Society in November 2017 where she established a programme of strategic growth. Sandy is responsible for strategic leadership and overseeing the governance and operational delivery of the charity’s strategy and activities. She has embedded a culture of collaboration and high performance across the Society with a focus on improving membership experience. In 2019 she was elected to the Board of the Institute of Association Leadership and in 2020 she won the memcom membership excellence award for Outstanding leadership in a time of crisis.
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Sarah Poulter
Sarah Poulter is Group CEO of The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), the leading professional membership organisation for professionals in the resources and waste management sector, where she is primarily focused on delivering the organisation’s purpose, to move the world beyond waste. Prior to becoming Group CEO, Sarah held the position of Managing Director at CIWM for 16 years.
Sarah has over 20 years of experience in the membership and charity sector, with a particular focus on leading strategy development, organisational change, charity governance and commercial revenue growth by putting planet and people before profit. She was recently recognised in the prestigious MemCom Membership Excellence Awards 2021, being named ‘Highly Commended’ in the CEO Leadership Award category.
Sarah Speirs
Sarah is the Executive Director for Member Engagement and Communications at the Institution of Chartered Accountants Scotland (ICAS) She works alongside the CEO and the rest of the Executive Team to set the vision, culture and the direction of the organisation in the interests of its 23,000+ members.
Sarah leads on growing membership engagement and delivering value for ICAS members. She is responsible for developing integrated communication strategies to promote ICAS' external voice and influence with Governments and stakeholders and ensuring that members are better connected and engaged with the work of ICAS. Sarah also leads on ICAS’ EDI strategy.
Prior to joining ICAS in 2019, Sarah spent twenty years of her career with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), the world’s leading land, property and construction professional body, shaping the organisation for the benefit of its 130,000+ members in the UK and around the world.
Steve Ford
As the Chief Executive of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, Steve has more than 30 years’ leadership experience in the health and social care sector and a strong record of transforming organisations both strategically and culturally.
For the last 15 years, Steve has been Chief Executive at Parkinson’s UK and during that time led the charity through a time of significant growth, developing the services and support that are available to people affected by Parkinson’s, as well as building a new and innovative approach to research. Steve has always recognised the importance of good quality health and social care and so developed the UK Parkinson’s Excellence Network, as an innovative partnership between the charity and health professionals to drive up standards.
Previously Steve was a general manager and chief executive in the NHS, most recently as Chief Executive of South West Kent Primary Care Trust. Throughout his career, Steve has worked closely with occupational therapists and has been a champion of multidisciplinary care.
Valerie Vaughan-Dick
Dr Valerie Vaughan-Dick MBE has worked at a senior level in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Valerie is presently the Chief Executive of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). RIBA is a global professional membership body driving excellence in architecture. RIBA serves more than 50,000 members and society to deliver better buildings and places, stronger communities and a sustainable environment. Being inclusive, ethical, environmentally aware and collaborative underpins all RIBA does
Valerie started her career with the UK National Audit Office where she qualified as an accountant. She has extensive experience in the built environment. Valerie has been a Managing Director of a housing association, advised on Public Finance Initiative building projects and has considerable international experience. She has been a Chair of a heritage properties regeneration organisation, Chair of a NHS Trust and is presently the Chair of a Housing Association which manages 8,000 homes in London.
Vanessa Harwood-Whitcher
Vanessa has been the Chief Executive of IOSH since August 2021, having previously been IOSH’s Director of Professional Services. Her 30-year career has spanned both commercial and charity roles and she holds an MBA with Distinction from Loughborough University.
Vanessa started working in education where a lifelong passion was ignited for developing professionals that later led to senior roles in both higher education and professional/membership organisations. She has supported professions covering finance, procurement, information technology, leadership/management and occupational safety and health. Her roles have led her around the world, working on projects as varied as partnering with governments and NGOs to build skills and qualifications in emerging economies, to delivering global commercial training and consultancy programmes to many of the FTSE 100 organisations.
Vanessa’s leadership of IOSH has stewarded the development of IOSH’s new 5-year strategy, working collaboratively with members and partners to achieve a safe and healthy world of work by driving excellence in professional standards and positive action from all who influence and prioritise the protection of workers globally
