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Our trustees

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The foundations of a good charity are always built upon good governance. Our trustees are from a diverse range of backgrounds including family members of those with one of our conditions, clinicians, scientists, and business people. Our trustees receive regular training and play an active role at events and in setting our new strategy.

Judith Evans – Vice Chair

Judith was born and brought up in East Anglia, but moved to the west of Scotland with her husband Graham in 1981. They have enjoyed a long association with the MPS Society since their daughter Joanne was diagnosed with MPS IV Morquio in about 1989. Judith has previously served as a Trustee for 16 years, including as honorary treasurer for many years, and is now returning to the Board as vice-chair. In her spare time, Judith enjoys ballet, swimming and choral singing.



Wilma Robins

Wilma has been involved with the MPS Society since its founding in 1982. Her son Gethin was diagnosed with MPSI Hurler disease in 1980 and, having experienced two years of near desolation, the introduction of the MPS Society in 1982 transformed her and her husband’s lives. Gethin died in December 1984 at the age of five and a half, and thereafter Wilma became involved in the work of the organisation, fulfilling the varying supporting administrative roles and becoming a Trustee in 1990. Wilma’s background as a Civil Servant throughout her working life and her experience in devising and implementing policies, especially in the area of HR, has been particularly useful to the Society. Wilma was born and raised in West Wales and Welsh is her first language.



David Patton

David became a trustee in 2017, shortly after his wife, Alison, and two sons, Alex and Oscar, were diagnosed with Fabry. David lives with his family just outside Glasgow. David is currently the Head of Proactive Fraud at the Department for International Development and has significant experience in finance, audit and governance, working previously for PricewaterhouseCoopers.



Sarah Burgess

I became involved with the MPS Society when I was about nine years old, after my parents received my diagnosis of Mucolipidosis III, and I have been involved with the MPS Society ever since. I’m proud and honoured to have been asked to be a trustee. Over the years I’ve received so much support from the MPS Society and now hope to do the same for others. I completed my Psychology and Health Studies BSc Degree at Bath Spa University where I received a 2:1. I then worked as a teaching assistant for a few years with the plan of becoming a teacher. However I realised that I wanted to teach young people about life so went back to university to train as a Youth Worker. After completing my Youth and Community Studies degree in 2009 I became a Youth Worker for the YMCA and my local council. Being a Youth Worker is about supporting young people through informal education. I love my job working with young people who are in need of some extra support. In my spare time I enjoy being with friends and family, going to gigs and festivals, travelling and watching sports especially American Football.



Atul Mehta

Professor Mehta, now retired, worked as a Consultant Haematologist and Physician at the Royal Free Hospital in London, part of the Department of Haematology of University College London School of Medicine for 32 years. He completed his undergraduate training at Cambridge University and King’s College Hospital. He then trained in General Internal Medicine at King’s College Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital in London and in Haematology at the Hammersmith Hospital. His Doctorate in Medicine was sponsored by the Medical Research Council and he spent two years examining molecular mechanisms underlying aplastic anaemia at the Imperial College, London. He was also a Clinical Director of one of the nationally designated Lysosomal Storage Disorders Units, which focus on enzyme replacement therapy for LSDs. This is one of the largest centres for adult patients with lysosomal storage disorders in the UK, where he worked with a team of nurses, physicians and researchers who are committed to developing and delivering care to patients and families with LSDs He is the author of three books, more than 40 chapters and over 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals.



Judith Evans – Vice Chair

Judith was born and brought up in East Anglia, but moved to the west of Scotland with her husband Graham in 1981. They have enjoyed a long association with the MPS Society since their daughter Joanne was diagnosed with MPS IV Morquio in about 1989. Judith has previously served as a Trustee for 16 years, including as honorary treasurer for many years, and is now returning to the Board as vice-chair. In her spare time, Judith enjoys ballet, swimming and choral singing.



Atul Mehta

Professor Mehta, now retired, worked as a Consultant Haematologist and Physician at the Royal Free Hospital in London, part of the Department of Haematology of University College London School of Medicine for 32 years. He completed his undergraduate training at Cambridge University and King’s College Hospital. He then trained in General Internal Medicine at King’s College Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital in London and in Haematology at the Hammersmith Hospital. His Doctorate in Medicine was sponsored by the Medical Research Council and he spent two years examining molecular mechanisms underlying aplastic anaemia at the Imperial College, London. He was also a Clinical Director of one of the nationally designated Lysosomal Storage Disorders Units, which focus on enzyme replacement therapy for LSDs. This is one of the largest centres for adult patients with lysosomal storage disorders in the UK, where he worked with a team of nurses, physicians and researchers who are committed to developing and delivering care to patients and families with LSDs He is the author of three books, more than 40 chapters and over 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals.



Wilma Robins

Wilma has been involved with the MPS Society since its founding in 1982. Her son Gethin was diagnosed with MPSI Hurler disease in 1980 and, having experienced two years of near desolation, the introduction of the MPS Society in 1982 transformed her and her husband’s lives. Gethin died in December 1984 at the age of five and a half, and thereafter Wilma became involved in the work of the organisation, fulfilling the varying supporting administrative roles and becoming a Trustee in 1990. Wilma’s background as a Civil Servant throughout her working life and her experience in devising and implementing policies, especially in the area of HR, has been particularly useful to the Society. Wilma was born and raised in West Wales and Welsh is her first language.



Atul Mehta

Professor Mehta, now retired, worked as a Consultant Haematologist and Physician at the Royal Free Hospital in London, part of the Department of Haematology of University College London School of Medicine for 32 years. He completed his undergraduate training at Cambridge University and King’s College Hospital. He then trained in General Internal Medicine at King’s College Hospital and Hammersmith Hospital in London and in Haematology at the Hammersmith Hospital. His Doctorate in Medicine was sponsored by the Medical Research Council and he spent two years examining molecular mechanisms underlying aplastic anaemia at the Imperial College, London. He was also a Clinical Director of one of the nationally designated Lysosomal Storage Disorders Units, which focus on enzyme replacement therapy for LSDs. This is one of the largest centres for adult patients with lysosomal storage disorders in the UK, where he worked with a team of nurses, physicians and researchers who are committed to developing and delivering care to patients and families with LSDs He is the author of three books, more than 40 chapters and over 200 publications in peer-reviewed journals.



Dr Fiona Stewart

Dr Fiona Stewart is a recently retired consultant in Clinical Genetics based in Belfast. She has been involved in the care of adults and children with MPS and related disorders for over 20 years. She has been an investigator in a number of ERT trials. she was very involved in the establishment of genetic testing in the UK and chaired the UKGTN genetic testing and evaluation working group for over 10 years. In 2013 she was awarded the MBE for services to genetic medicine in the UK. In 2017 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy she made a good recovery and is enjoying life with her husband Sam. She now has time to visit her son in England and her daughter who has moved to Australia. She still has a keen interest in MPS and related disorders.



Dr Fiona Stewart

Dr Fiona Stewart is a recently retired consultant in Clinical Genetics based in Belfast. She has been involved in the care of adults and children with MPS and related disorders for over 20 years. She has been an investigator in a number of ERT trials. she was very involved in the establishment of genetic testing in the UK and chaired the UKGTN genetic testing and evaluation working group for over 10 years. In 2013 she was awarded the MBE for services to genetic medicine in the UK. In 2017 she was diagnosed with breast cancer. Following surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy she made a good recovery and is enjoying life with her husband Sam. She now has time to visit her son in England and her daughter who has moved to Australia. She still has a keen interest in MPS and related disorders.



Our senior leadership team

The senior leadership team is made up of representatives from each department who meet regularly to drive forward the mission of the MPS Society on a day to day basis. 

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Bob Stevens,

Group Chief Executive

Anna Featherstone, Head of Fundraising & Communications

Toni Ellerton, 

Executive Assistant

Sophie Thomas,

Head of Patient Services

John Illankovan, 

Head of Group Finance

Tom Kenny,

CEO for MPS Commercial (RD-RP)

Steve Cotterell,

Support and Advocacy Lead