The ME Research UK team
Mr Roger Jefcoate CBE DL
Founding Patron
Instrumental in the founding of the charity, Roger gives nationwide help to severely disabled people who need adapted computers for educational needs or community work. He is also co-founder of the National Association of Toy and Leisure Libraries, and Canine Partners, and founder of the AIDIS Trust, the Disability Aid Fund and the Mobility Trust. Roger is a Liveryman of the Drapers’ Company, and in 1998 was made CBE for services to disabled people.
The Countess of Mar
Patron
The Countess of Mar is one of the 92 elected hereditary peers in the House of Lords. She is an indefatigable campaigner against ignorance and injustice, and has won many awards, including, in 1997, the Spectator Peer of the Year award. She has a long-standing interest in ME and related illnesses, and is a stout advocate of the need for research and support.
Dr Vance Spence
Chairman
Vance was instrumental in the founding and launching of ME Research UK. A graduate of the Universities of London and Dundee, he was a Principal Clinical Scientist responsible for vascular services and research and, in 1997, he rejoined the University of Dundee Medical School as Honorary Senior Research Fellow in the Department of Medicine, with the objective of stimulating research into the causes of ME.
Mr Robert McRae
Secretary & Treasurer
Bob holds an MCIB (Scot) in Banking and was a senior regional bank manager for many years. He has considerable experience of financial management, and has held a range of posts in the voluntary sector. He was instrumental in the foundation and launch of ME Research UK.
The Lady Cornwallis DL
Head of Fundraising
Sara Cornwallis is a CIPD-qualified Human Resources specialist and is also an Associate Member of the Institute of Fundraising. From her previous work in the charity sector, she brings to her role as Head of Fundraising broad expertise and excellent interpersonal skills, as well as a deep committment to ME research.
Sue Waddle
Vice-Chair and Trustee
Sue has a background in education and a particular interest in literacy and remedial education both with children and adults. As a parent of a child, now an adult, severely affected by ME for the past fifteen years, she combines her role at ME Research UK with her voluntary work as a Magistrate.
Dr Neil C Abbot
Operations Director
Neil holds an MSc in Medical Statistics and a PhD in Clinical Physiology, and currently holds an Honorary Research Fellowship at the University of Dundee. Before coming to ME Research UK to combine charity administration with academic work, he conducted research studies in India, Iran and Spain, and held post-doctoral appointments at the Universities of Dundee, Glasgow and, latterly, Exeter, where he designed and conducted clinical trials.
Dr David Newton
Communications Officer
David began his career in the Vascular Laboratory at the University of Dundee. Since obtaining his PhD, he now specialises in vascular measurement in the Vascular and Inflammatory Diseases Research Unit of the University Department of Medicine, based at Ninewells Hospital, Dundee. He has developed expertise in science communication and also works as a freelance writer and editor.
