Meet Our Trustees
Geoff has spent his entire career in brain tumour research and champions the use of re-purposed and re-formulated drugs in the treatment of cancer to fast-track them into the clinic. He believes that animals in research are poor representations of human disease and so his research focus has been the development of 3D all human models for the study of brain tumours.
“I am passionate about the use of all human in vitro models in medicine, particularly in the context of pre-clinical testing, and so I am delighted to be a trustee of Animal Free Research UK and to bring my experience and knowledge of all-human studies.”
Sandra is a solicitor with extensive experience in the private sector and in-house. She recently moved to the third sector and is currently the Head of Legal at a large, international charity. Environmental and animal welfare issues have long been close to her heart and she has been actively involved with a leading dog rescue charity.
“I am delighted to join this wonderful charity and to support their valuable work in replacing outdated, cruel and ineffective animal testing with cutting edge technologies and helping make Britain an inspiring world leader in ethical research. Life has changed in so many ways over the last few years – now is the time to seize the moment and make dramatic improvements in pioneering animal free research that benefits people and animals.”
Daniel is an experienced Chartered Accountant who has worked at senior strategic levels in the private and public sectors. He has been involved with local charities for some time as well as serving as a school governor. An ardent animal lover from birth and a vegetarian for over 35 years, he is now striving to go vegan.
“I remember how 40 years ago one had to hunt in health food stores to find shampoo that hadn’t been tested on animals. Since then it’s become a lot easier to obtain such products, but unfortunately cruel and unnecessary experiments on animals still continue. Therefore it is an honour to be on the board of Animal Free Research UK and make a contribution to ending these.”
Julia has been a passionate animal advocate since childhood and a regular supporter of Animal Free Research UK. A vegetarian for the past 30 years, Julia believes that all animals should be treated with compassion and respect.
With a diverse career spanning both the private and public sectors, Julia has been a self-employed bookkeeper since 2006 with clients in various fields including the charity sector.
“I am extremely proud and excited to be a Trustee for this amazing charity. Animal Free Research UK is taking positive, progressive and ground-breaking steps in the world of medicine. With more and more people questioning the validity of animal experiments, ethically, financially and scientifically, Animal Free Research UK is shaping the future of medical research.”
Michelle is a solicitor and legal counsel to a manufacturing and retail company, and its charity foundation. An animal lover, she moved to the UK from Singapore where she was actively advocating for better animal rights and rescuing and rehoming dogs.
“Great advancements have been made in animal-free testing alternatives, and the use of ethical, human relevant technologies saves lives, money and time. I am thrilled to be able to contribute in pushing for positive change that benefits animals and people.”
Martin has been a consultant in Palliative Medicine for 14 years. Prior to that he worked as a GP, specialising in health care for homeless people. He has always been a keen advocate for evidence-based medicine and realised the urgent need for science to adopt human relevant research at medical school. He has been vegetarian since 16 and vegan for eight years.
“I am delighted to be a trustee of Animal Free Research UK. They are key in helping to drive the change away from the misleading use of animals in research for human disease, to human relevant methods. Ultimately this will be of benefit to my patients and animals alike”.
Kerry has had a diverse career based in the U.K., Europe and southern Africa. She has worked in local and regional government as well as in the third sector. She currently works in public affairs and campaigns for a major animal welfare charity.
“I am excited to be working with Animal Free Research U.K. to accelerate the transition to human specific research and testing for the benefit of the three million animals who continue to suffer and die in U.K. laboratories every year but also for the health and wellbeing of non human animals and our environment. Change is urgently needed and the incredible scientists supported by this charity are our future.”
Malcolm studied Physics at Oxford but is now a specialist in microfluidics and biomedical devices and Non-exec Chairman of Kirkstall Ltd and a Visiting Professor at Sheffield University in Biomedical Engineering. He has contributed to several books on in-vitro models of toxicity. He is a champion for the use of leading-edge technology to replace animal testing for the development of safe drugs, nutraceuticals, chemicals and cosmetics.
