Trustees
Graeme Johnston
Graeme is Chair of the NRAS Board of Trustees.
Graeme was diagnosed with RA in September 2006 when he was working as a partner for Pricewaterhouse Coopers. He retired in June 2009 and has become involved as a trustee since then.
Graeme was a member of the RA Self Management pilot and is keen to see NRAS develop the support it gives all members. Graeme is married with three sons and lives in North Buckinghamshire.
Mark Liddell
Mark was 26 when he was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis - He woke up one morning in agony, with no prior warning and has not looked back since! Mark is now in his fifties and has had multiple operations to his hips, knees, shoulders, hands, wrists, ankles, elbows and neck.
He took early retirement (due to ill health) in 2005, as the illness has seriously affected his neck and he found his full time job too much to cope with. He was a board director of one of the UK's leading independent insurance brokers.
As well as an NRAS Trustee, Mark is also an NRAS regional co-ordinator for the North East and Cumbria and has been working hard to establish networks in that area. He was delighted to discover NRAS and is eager to help "give something back".
Chris Bennett
Chris is an independent Human Resources Consultant who until recently has spent over 28 years in the pharmaceutical industry, including 18 years as Human Resources Director with both Syntex and Roche Pharmaceuticals. He was also chair of trustees for the pension scheme and so brings a valuable combination of business, human resources and pharmaceutical industry experience.
During his time in the pharmaceutical industry Chris was able to gain some personal insight into the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and the importance of providing support and information to patients.
He has known Ailsa since she first founded NRAS and has always taken a keen interest in its progress and development.
Wendy Garwood
Wendy works for the Early Rheumatoid Arthritis Network (ERAN) which was set up in July 2001. ERAN is a national network of rheumatologists dedicated in following the outcomes of newly diagnosed RA patients.
Originally a Registered General Nurse, Wendy worked in the Pharmaceutical Industry within Clinical Research, monitoring clinical studies at hospitals and GP surgeries, for more than ten years.
Andrew Kennedy
Andrew worked as a solicitor for Beachcroft LLP solicitors for 31 years, during which he was Senior Partner from 1986 - 1996, before acting as consultant for 3 years from 2001. He has substantial business experience in the UK water industry, insurance industry, health industry and the law. In addition to his work as an NRAS trustee, he is currently a Deputy Chairman of Heythrop College University of London) and Chairman of Wimbledon College Governors.
Andrew has acted for the FSA Regulator and participated in the planning and implementation of the privatisation of the UK water industry. He has also acted as a Member of the Joint Tribunals of the Bar and Law Society and Arbitrator appointed by the International Court of Arbitration in South Korea.
Belonging to the MCC, Emeriti and Downside Wanderers cricket clubs and Royal Wimbledon Golf Club, Andrew’s interests include a variety of music and sporting activities. Andrew has a family member with a long-term medical condition, so has come to NRAS with a good understanding of some of the problems faced by our members.
Sue Ball
Despite having had JIA for over forty years, Sue has been very fortunate to have had only one joint replacement, albeit four times!
Sue has always had an interest in health issues and has now been working in the NHS for the past four years to try and improve patient involvement and experience. Sue has a very busy life with two grown up children and two grandchildren (and counting).
Di Skingle
Di was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in 2005 while serving overseas as a member of HM Diplomatic Service. Being in a remote location, she received invaluable support and information from NRAS's website and its publications about RA and its treatment. Since retiring and returning to UK in 2007, Di has been involved with NRAS as a volunteer and, since 2011, as a Trustee Director. Like Graeme, she was a member of NRAS's RA Self Management pilot which she found extremely useful in reviewing and organising her day-to-day life, and in addressing the many challenges faced by those with a chronic condition.
In addition to her work with NRAS, Di is a member of Board of EULAR PARE (European League Against Rheumatism: People with Arthritis/Rheumatism in Europe) and is Hon Secretary and Board Member of Age Concern Chiswick. She has also been a volunteer for the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust at Charing Cross Hospital.
Di is married to Christopher Carrington who is a Friend of NRAS.