Our Trustees
Headway Hertfordshire’s dedicated trustees use their skills and experience to set and monitor the strategic direction of the charity. They are also responsible for ensuring that the charity meets its legislative requirements.
David Gibson
I am thrilled to have been recently appointed Chairman of the Trustees in the next phase of my involvement in Headway Hertfordshire. I have been a Hertfordshire resident for the majority of my life, growing up in Hatfield and most recently living with my wife and children in Stevenage. I first became a volunteer for Headway Hertfordshire over four years ago after seeking support from the organisation after my wife’s traumatic brain injury. Through supporting various peer support and education sessions, I gained first-hand experience of the important role these groups provide for those with head injuries and their families, and found volunteering extremely stimulating and rewarding. Over time I have been able to combine these experiences with my existing skills developed in my professional career to contribute to volunteer strategy, leading me to my new role. As Chairman of the Trustees I am committed to and look forward to contributing to the excellent services Headway Hertfordshire deliver and in the future of the organisation.
Bruce St. Leger
Bruce has been in the service management industry for over 20 years, designing and implementing service improvement programs for large organisations. As a local business owner as well as director for other organisations, he fully understands the challenge of change and how it can impact organisations and has learnt how to plan and implement major change programmes with great success.
‘Headway Hertfordshire is a very important charity that makes a significant and positive difference to those impacted by life changing head injuries – it is tremendously rewarding to be able to make a positive contribution towards the services Headway Hertfordshire offer.’
Nikki Baines
Nikki brings over 25 years’ post qualification experience in HR, working for large corporates in construction and hotels and leisure, including a FTSE 100 company as HR Director. Following the birth of her third child, she joined a start-up (now SME) in the food industry.
‘I had been looking for a volunteering opportunity for some time and I was delighted when the chance to join Headway Hertfordshire came along. My focus is HR but I am keen to make a contribution to the force behind the services that Headway Hertfordshire offers.’
Angela Beric
Angela is a solicitor with over 20 years’ experience representing individuals who have sustained a brain injury pursue their claims for compensation. She is a strong advocate of early rehabilitation and seeks to organise a rehabilitation package as quickly as possible following an accident. Some of her clients have benefitted from the wide range of services that Headway Hertfordshire has to offer.
Angela is regularly rated in the independent legal directories as a “leading individual”.
Fahim Anwar
Fahim qualified in medicine in Pakistan in 1994, where he continued to work before moving to the UK in 2003. Since then he has worked within in the NHS throughout the country.
“I’m the clinical lead for trauma rehabilitation in Addenbrooke’s and my day to day job involves working with patients with severe traumatic head injury or complex orthopaedic trauma with or without head involvement.”
Addenbrooke’s is a major trauma centre for the East of England and my trauma rehabilitation ward there serves as gatekeeper for all traumatic brain injuries of the region. I’m excited to be involved in Headway Hertfordshire – the charity plays a vital role in supporting individuals and families following brain injury.
Fahim was on the board of trustees for Headway Hertfordshire for six years, stepping down in 2020. He has now been appointed as a special advisor to the board, providing expertise from a clinical perspective.
Rachel Fink
“I qualified as an accountant over 20 years ago and have run my own accountancy business for over 12 years. My clients are mainly small business and individuals. I am keen to use my professional experience to give back and volunteer for Headway Hertfordshire.”
Jack Gould
Jack has been involved with Complex Needs and Disability since 1992 and currently co – owns Care Homes for young adults with PMLD in Hertfordshire and Peterborough. Jack has been a Trustee of both SCOPE and Norwood and has always been engaged with fund raising to enable everyone with a disability to achieve the maximum of their personal capacity and Jack will bring this experience and expertise to Headway Hertfordshire.
Penny Pope
Penny is an Occupational Therapist and Case Manager with over 15 years’ experience in rehabilitation, specialising in acquired and traumatic brain injury. Having seen the impact brain injury can have on individuals and families, she joined the Headway Hertfordshire Board to support the charity’s important work and contribute her expertise to improving outcomes for brain injury survivors across the county.
Sadie Dainton
I recently retired, having worked for over 40 years in the consumer movement for organisations Which?, Consumers international and BSI. My experience is in Consumer Policy, advocating standards as a tool to invoke consumer rights and protection, with a focus on helping those most vulnerable in society.
My life changed in 2022 when I was diagnosed with a brain tumour. Returning home from the residential rehabilitation centre, Headway Hertfordshire were there to support me, my partner and my family. Over the last 4 years, I’ve been fortunate to adjust to life living with an acquired brain injury (ABI), with the help of services that Headway provided, supporting my physical and mental health and well-being. Being listened to and understood means so much when you experience an ABI, especially when your disability invisible.
I joined Headway as a Trustee in 2026, to share my experiences and life skills and make a contribution to the charity that makes sure that no-one has to face the ABI journey alone.
Mark Edwards
Mark Edwards is an experienced health sector professional with a strong background in programme management, communications and community involvement. As Head of Partnership for NHS Central East ICB he works closely with residents, voluntary organisations and system partners to ensure local voices influence decision-making and service improvement. Passionate about reducing inequalities and strengthening community support, Mark brings strategic insight, relationship-building skills and a commitment to helping people live healthier, more independent lives.
I am keen to join the Board of Trustees at Headway Hertfordshire because I believe everyone affected by brain injury should have access to high-quality support, advocacy and opportunities to thrive. My experience within the NHS has given me a strong understanding of partnership working, governance and the importance of listening to communities. I would be proud to contribute these skills to help Headway Hertfordshire continue its vital work across the county.
Mike Perry
My name is Michael Perry and I wanted to join the Headway Herts Board, to fundamentally, be able to give something back to the Charity.
I have an Acquired Brain Injury that was sustained in November 2019 and felt that it would be of benefit to the Board, by having someone on it that had both used and greatly benefitted from its services.