OUR TEAM
Behind our mission to fight thrombosis, there’s a dedicated team of experts with a passion for saving lives.
Jo Jerrome
In April 2016 Jo was thrilled and honoured to be invited to become CEO of Thrombosis.
A teacher for many years, Jo became involved in patient advocacy following her young daughter’s diagnosis of a long-term condition.
Utilising her own family experience with her understanding of the value of education, Jo became involved in supporting awareness and education for a national charity.
Currently Jo sits as a Lay representative on NICE Indicators, West of England AHSN Patient Safety committee, and on research and project development groups.
Jo’s first-hand experience of the impact of living with a long-term healthcare conditions the value of feeling informed and included in healthcare consultations and decision making, is a driving force to working to improve awareness, understanding and provision of support.
Annya Stephens-Boal
I am Thrombosis UK’s Patient Services Lead and joined the charity in September 2007 as their first employed member of staff.
My background is in clinical and research medical administration. I have a family history of VTE, with both myself and other family members having been affected by clots. Sadly, we lost my Mum to a missed pulmonary embolism back in the 1980s.
Working for Thrombosis UK means I can use both my administrative and life skills to help bring about real change in this field and I am proud to be able to do this.
Clare Prince
My name is Clare Prince I am 37 years old and live in Liverpool with my partner and two children.
I became involved with Thrombosis UK many years ago when it was called Lifeblood. The charity helped and supported me through some of my most troubled times dealing with multiple episodes of VTE. I was very keen to spread awareness and over time became more and more involved with the charity doing this.
In Februrary 2013 I was made a Lifeblood Ambassador which was a very proud moment, not only because I was the first patient ambassador but because 1 month earlier I was diagnosed with a bilateral PE whilst 5 months pregnant with my second child.
My relationship with the charity blossomed and in July 2014 I was asked to be a trustee. I took on the role with great pride and have played a very active part in helping shape the charity that did so much for me in the early days of VTE diagnosis.
In December 2016 became an employed member of the team working alongside Annya and Jo. I am the Project Development Officer on a part time basis. I have a wealth of experience both living and dealing with Thrombosis and hope I can be a small part of helping someone else like Thrombosis UK have helped me.
Professor Paul Bennett
Prof Paul Bennett is a clinical and academic psychologist, who has worked in both NHS and universities in Bristol, Cardiff and Swansea.
He has previously published research on the psychological impact of VTE. Paul joined Thrombosis UK as a member of staff in February 2022 to lead the REGAIN programme – developing resources and support for those affected by the psychological impact of Vaccine-induced Immune Thrombocytopenia and Thrombosis (VITT) and those impacted by a venous thromboembolism (VTE). In 2024 this was extended and now provides clinical psychology support for individuals diagnosed with VTE.
Professor Beverley Hunt OBE
Prof Hunt has extensive clinical experience of thrombotic and acquired bleeding disorders and obstetric haematology and runs a very active research group with over 300 peer-reviewed publications to her name.
In June 2019, Professor Beverley Hunt was awarded an OBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for her services to medicine. Commenting, Professor Hunt said, “I was really surprised to receive a letter offering me an OBE. I think it’s not really for me, but consider it an acknowledgment of all the good work that the teams I work with and carry out at the hospital, nationally with Thrombosis UK and internationally with World Thrombosis Day. I hope it will help indirectly in the recognition that the fields of thrombosis and bleeding are very important in healthcare and need more awareness and research.”
Prof Hunt describes herself as “Driven, totally committed and passionate about improving care and prevention of VTE. I am proud that Thrombosis UK has been instrumental in helping to highlight, inform and support national changes to improve patient care and the management of VTE”.
“As Trustee and Medical Lead, I am proud to be part of Thrombosis UK, working to successfully raise awareness and understanding of VTE, from causes and prevention to patient experience and improved care.”
Professor Simon Noble
Professor Simon Noble is a Marie Curie Professor of Supportive and Palliative Medicine in Cardiff University and honorary consultant at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport. His main research interests are in the management of venous thromboembolism in advanced cancer, the anticancer effects of heparins and the quality of life associated with VTE. He set up the South East Wales Cancer Associated Thrombosis Service which sees 500 new cases per year. He is chief investigator on the International PELICAN study which explored the impact of cancer associated thrombosis (CAT) on patients in different countries and healthcare settings. He has sat on several clinics guideline groups including NICE CG89, ASH CAT guidelines and several ISTH guidance documents. He is Medical Director of Thrombosis UK and medical advisor to Anticoagulation UK. He has published over 100 original papers, 27 chapters and 6 books. His interest include hill walking, travel and hip-hop.
Dr Ian Franklin
Coming soon
Andrea Croft
Originally trained as an SEN in the Royal Air Force, following a four year break abroad Andrea returned to the UK and in 1992 undertook Project 2000. After inheriting the management of the hospital Warfarin clinic in Bridgend General Hospital in 1995 she developed an interest in Anticoagulation. Since 2002 Andrea has pioneered and championed the need to manage all hospitalised patients appropriately keeping them safe from the associated risks of developing a Hospital Acquired Thrombosis (HAT). Since 2009 Andrea has held the role of HAT Project Lead in Abertawe Bro Morgannwg University Health Board. Andrea is Wales her passion and enthusiasm for Anticoagulation have taken her as far afield as Australia. In 2015 3 hospitals in Andrea’s Health Board were recognised as Thrombosis Exemplar Centres.
Being part of Thrombosis UK has allowed Andrea the opportunity to spread the thrombosis message to all 4 corners of the UK.
Robin Offord
Director of Clinical Pharmacy at University College London Hospitals
Dr Matthew Fay
Dr Matthew Fay is a Leeds Medical School graduate, graduating in 1992, very much to the Dean’s surprise!
After enjoying a varied few years in hospital practice he became a General Practitioner at Westcliffe Medical Practice in 1999.
In 2001 he established a GPwSI cardiology service for North Bradford PCT.
Dr Fay has a special interest in thrombosis and was National Clinical Lead for Atrial Fibrillation with NHS Improvement Heart & Stroke.
Dr Fay sits as an adviser on several NICE committees (National Institute for Health & Care Excellence) and is passionate about supporting patient education and involvement to improve well-being and outcomes.
Recently appointed a trustee of Thrombosis UK for the work he has been undertaking to raise the profile of thrombosis in general and in particular how it is identified in primary care and how it can be managed in a patient focused manner.
Stephane Jaglin
Stephane qualified as a Doctor of Pharmacy in 1994 in Nantes (France) and moved to the UK in 1998 where he worked as a community pharmacist for 14 years. He transferred to the secondary care sector in 2009 as clinical pharmacist within a treatment centre providing elective procedures in major orthopaedic surgery, general surgery, gynaecology, ENT and ophthalmology specialties.
Stephane developed a particular interest in anticoagulation, especially postoperative Venous Thrombosis prevention and perioperative management of anti-thrombotic drugs. He created a thrombosis committee for the hospital of which he is the lead and is now heavily involved in the development of national policies for VTE prophylaxis and perioperative use of anti-thrombotic medicines.
Dr Dalia Dawoud is a health economist with special interest in venous thromboembolism prophylaxis. She holds a PhD from King’s College London. Dalia worked as part of the technical team that developed NICE guideline NG89, “Venous thromboembolism in over 16s: reducing the risk of hospital-acquired deep vein thrombosis or pulmonary embolism”, which was published in March 2018. Through her work on this NICE guideline, she developed a strong interest in hospital-acquired VTE and its economic burden in the UK and worldwide. Demonstrating the value of hospital-acquired VTE prophylaxis through economic analysis has become the focus of her research work, which has been presented at a number of national and international conferences. Through her role as a Trustee of Thrombosis UK, Dalia aims to raise awareness of VTE and its consequences and the impact these events can have on people’s lives and health system resources.
Simon Hart
Simon was appointed as a Trustee for Thrombosis UK in 2003, just a short while after suffering a close family bereavement as a result of a DVT complication.
This tragic experience made Simon want to become involved with Thrombosis UK as he recognised the national charity’s focus on working to raise awareness of the condition for the public, patients and healthcare professionals as well as supporting, guiding and informing research into thrombosis.
Simon is a partner in the top 10 accountancy and business advisory firm RSM UK, heading up its international support services.
As Simon explains in his own words:
“The impact a blood clot had on my family was massive. Prior to that we all had little idea of the condition and the dangers of thrombosis generally. I am delighted to do my small bit to help Thrombosis UK achieve the aim of UK wide promotion of awareness, research and care relating to the condition.”
Janet Morgan
Janet is a senior strategic communications professional. She joined Thrombosis UK as Trustee in Business, Marketing and Communications.
Having initially studied biochemistry at university, Janet quickly realised that a career at the lab bench was not for her. She began writing about medicine and science for medical business and consumer media. This then led onto a career in medical and life sciences PR, including leading communication teams at the charities LifeArc and Nuffield Health, and the FTSE-listed company GSK.
She is now working acting as a strategic advisor, specialising in communications and marketing activities for organisations in the science, technology and healthcare sectors.
Janet believes passionately in involving patients in their care and in the power of good communication to build awareness, grow understanding and change behaviours. She is looking forward to supporting Thrombosis UK on its mission to reduce the impact of thrombosis.
Nusaiba Masnurah
It is a privilege to be a patient representative trustee at Thrombosis UK and I am excited to be joining the team to help increase awareness about VTE.
I had my first pulmonary embolism when I was 20 and spent two weeks in hospital. Since then I have had recurrent PE’s and simultaneously completed my final year at University, and started working in a hospital. At times the recovery is very difficult, however, my experiences have allowed me to gain an insight into the difficulties VTE survivors face in their journey of returning to normality.
This compelled me to start my instagram page @pulmonary_embolism_life, enabling me to share my recovery story and support other VTE survivors. It has been immensely fulfilling and inspiring to get to know, and also help hundreds of VTE survivors from all over the world. My page made me realise I have a passion for advocating for VTE awareness, and I hope to continue this through my work at Thrombosis UK.
Professor Raza Alikhan
Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, University Hospital of Wales, Cardiff
Dr Raza Alikhan is a consultant haematologist at the Haemophilia and Thrombosis Centre, University Hospital of Wales and member of the British Society for Haematology (BSH) Thrombosis and Haemostasis Task Force and Guideline Committee and Chair of the BSH Cancer Associated Thrombosis Guideline Writing Group. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Pathologists and a Member of the Royal College of Physicians having received his medical degree from the University of London and completed postgraduate studies in London and Oxford. He defended his doctoral thesis on venous thromboembolism and prophylaxis in medical patients and was the UK National Lead Investigator for the rivaroxaban medical thromboprophylaxis study (MARINER). He is he UK Chief Investigator for both the apixaban treatment of cancer associated thrombosis study (CARAVAGGIO) and the apixaban length of stay pulmonary embolism study (ALPHA-PE).
Dr Alikhan has been involved in phase II–IV anticoagulant clinical trials since the late 90s. His current research interests include the identification of risk factors and outcomes associated with anticoagulation related bleeding. He is the UK Chief Investigator for the andexanet alfa DOAC and LMWH antidote study (ANNEXA-4) and is a member of the steering committee for the oral anticoagulant agent associated bleeding events reporting system (ORANGE) and the secure anonymised information linkage bleeding risk evaluation (SABRE) study. He has authored more than 100 conference abstracts, peer-reviewed papers and book chapters on thrombosis and haemostasis.
Dawne Archer
On social media you will find Dawne Archer, author of “Trekker Girl Morocco Bound” which describes her blood clot experience, Sahara Desert trek, and fundraising for Thrombosis UK.
As Dawne Long (recently married!), she supports Thrombosis UK as Patient Representative on various committees and research projects, using her writing experience and thrombosis journey to contribute the patient perspective.
Dawne was fortunate to survive a misdiagnosed DVT and PE age 26. She discovered Thrombosis UK following the death of her father from a PE and has vowed to support, educate, and raise awareness of blood clots every day of her life.
Dr Catherine Bagot
Dr Catherine Bagot is a Consultant Haematologist at Glasgow Royal Infirmary (GRI), specialising in Haemostasis and Thrombosis, and is the co-director of the West of Scotland Haemophilia and Thrombosis centre. She is the joint lead of the Haematology Obstetric service in North Glasgow and has been running the Haematology Obstetric clinic at the Princess Royal Maternity Unit at Glasgow Royal Infirmary for the last 10 years, alongside her consultant obstetric colleague, Dr Vicki Brace.
She is chair and secretary of the GRI and Greater Glasgow and Clyde Thrombosis Committees respectively. She is an elected committee member of the British Society of Haemostasis and Thrombosis.
Her clinical interests include inherited bleeding disorders, venous thrombosis treatment and prevention, obstetric haematology and immune thrombocytopaenia (ITP). Her main research interest is the application of thrombin generation to clinical thrombotic issues. She is currently leading a research project investigating the pathophysiology underlying the increased risk of venous thrombosis in obese pregnant women, funded by a British Heart Foundation Clinical Research Fellowship Award. She is also principal investigator for a number of international trials investigating new treatments for haemophilia and ITP
Dr Gary Benson
Dr Gary Benson graduated from Queens University Belfast in 1999 and completed his specialist training in Haematology, in Belfast and Edinburgh, ahead of taking up his current post as Director of the NI Haemophilia Centre in 2008. He has developed subspecialist clinics in the areas of carriers, obstetrics, transition and the multi professional haemophilia clinic. He remains committed to ensuring patients have access to the most up to date therapies by participating in clinical trials for novel therapeutic options for patients with bleeding disorder
Emma Gee
Kings College Hospital, London
Emma graduated from Brighton University with an Adult Nursing Degree in 2001 and undertook a cross speciality rotation at Addenbrookes Hospital. After working in Perth, Australia as a surgical nurse for a year she worked in High Dependency Care for several years in Watford General and King’s College Hospitals. In 2007 she joined Kings’ Thrombosis Team as a Coagulation Clinical Nurse Specialist rotating through DVT, anticoagulation and VTE prevention roles.
Emma became the Nurse Consultant in Thrombosis and Coagulation with responsibility for the nursing thrombosis teams across King’s College Hospital sites in 2014 and became the lead for the VTE National Nursing and Midwifery Network at the same time. Emma completed an MSc in Advanced Practice and Leadership at King’s College London in 2018.
Professor Beverley Hunt OBE
Guy's & St Thomas's Hospital, London
Founder of Thrombosis UK and Professor of Haemostasis & Thrombosis, Guy’s & St Thomas’s Hospital, London.
Professor Beverley Hunt OBE is a consultant in the departments of haematology & pathology. She is a national and international expert in thrombosis and acquired bleeding disorders.
She has sat on multiple national and international guideline writing groups, including NICE has extensive clinical experience of thrombotic and acquired bleeding disorders and runs a very active research group with over 500 peer-reviewed publications to her name.
Prof Hunt is past chair of the steering committee of World Thrombosis Day.
Professor Simon Noble
Cardiff University and Honorary Consultant Royal Gwent Hospital Newport
Simon Noble is the Director of the Division of Population MEdeicdine at Cardiff University Medical School. His main research interests are in the management of venous thromboembolism in advanced cancer, the anticancer effects of heparins and the quality of life associated with VTE. He set up the South East Wales Cancer Associated Thrombosis Service which sees 500 new cases per year. He is currently chief investigator on the RfPB funded HIDDEN2 study and the HORIZON EU funded SERENITY study. He lead the international PELICAN study which explored the impact of cancer associated thrombosis (CAT) on patients in different countries and healthcare settings. He has sat on several clinical guideline groups including NICE CG89, ASH, BSH and several ISTH guidance documents. He is Medical Director of Thrombosis UK and medical advisor to Anticoagulation UK. He has published over one hundred original papers, twenty seven chapters and six books. His interests include hill walking, travel and hip-hop.
Peter Queen
Peter’s initial experiences of thrombosis was through his father diagnosis and successful treatment of both a Pulmonary Embolism (PE) and Portal Vein Thrombosis (PVT).
As a patient, he encountered a protracted period of non and then mis diagnosis, before three separate incidences of Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT) over three years, to treatment and prevention.
Thrombosis UK provided an impartial source of information and guidance that empowered him to navigate the clinical environment with greater confidence and efficiency.
He now acts to promote regional awareness of Thrombosis UK throughout Scotland, fundraises, and is a Patient Representative on a range of projects and initiatives.
Katherine Stirling
Anticoagulation & Thrombosis, Leeds Teaching Hospitals
Katherine Stirling is a consultant pharmacist for anticoagulation and thrombosis at Leeds Teaching Hospitals. She has been in post since 2011. Since 2019 she has also been working for 1 day a week with Leeds CCG GP confed team on the NHSE AF project.
Her role covers all areas of thrombosis and anticoagulation including VTE prevention. She is a member of the trusts thrombosis steering group and regularly attends VTE MDT meetings. Her clinical role involves out-patient anticoagulant clinics for patients on oral and injectable anticoagulants. He is a supervisor for a PhD student looking at the barriers and enablers to the uptake of DOACs and has a research interest in the use of DOACs at extremes of weight.