Our people
Kate Bratt-Farrar
CEO
I joined Heart Research UK as CEO in July 2019 and I love it! I have spent the last 18 years working in the Charity Sector at various organisations including Save the Children, Leeds Women’s Aid and Sue Ryder. I live in Bingley with my husband, twin girls and slightly overweight cat.
Kate Bratt-Farrar
CEO
Nicole Zepmeisel
Executive Assistant
I joined HRUK in January 2021. I support Kate and the charity’s boards and committees. I have worked in the charity sector for over 20 years in a variety of organisations. When not working I can be found dancing around my kitchen – I am a massive music fan!
Nicole Zepmeisel
Executive Assistant
Marketing Team
Tom Smith
Head of Marketing and Communications
I joined Heart Research UK in 2018 as the new Head of Marketing and Communications where I am responsible for the internal and external marketing, promotion and advertising of all aspects of the organisation. I can honestly say that I love my job and working with such a great group of people. Will generally be found holding a large mug of coffee.
Tom Smith
Head of Marketing and Communications
Joan McGregor
Digital Marketing Officer
I’ve worked for Heart Research UK since 2016 and it’s so exciting seeing first-hand how the charity and my role has grown across these years! Having the ability to share and implement new digital ideas at Heart Research UK is only a small part of why I love working here – I also love a cup of peppermint tea and yoga too!
Joan McGregor
Digital Marketing Officer
Ebba Ritzen
Press and Media Officer
With a background in healthcare marketing and project management I joined Heart Research UK in November 2021 as PR and Media Officer. I manage and coordinate the charity’s press exposure and support on the planning of marketing and fundraising campaigns. When not working you can find me in a restaurant or with a coffee on the sofa.
Ebba Ritzen
PR and Media Officer
Ella Heaton
Social Media Assistant
After graduating in Film, Photography and Media from the University of Leeds in 2021, I have joined the team in Feb 2022 to cover all things social media. I schedule content across all of our social platforms, and am loving it so far! This is a great cause to work with, and I am excited to see how we can further our reach through engaging and creative content. I am so excited to see how we grow. I also make music in my spare time!
Ella Heaton
Social Media Assistant
Research Team
Helen Wilson
Head of Research
I manage the Charity’s research portfolio, focusing on supporting the highest quality science and the best scientists. My role involves developing our strategy, managing the grants-selection process, evaluating research projects, and ensuring effective communication to disseminate findings.
Helen Wilson
Head of Research
Sally Spawforth
Grants Administrator
I support Heart Research UK’s research and community grants processes. From application stage, to award and through to completion, I ensure that funding is used in line with the requirements of the grant. I also assist with the organisation of our Masterclasses.
Sally Spawforth
Grants Administrator
Health Promotion and Education Team
Dr Helen Flaherty
Head of Health Promotion
As a registered Public Health Nutritionist, I have a keen interest in dietary behaviour change. In my role as Head of Health Promotion, myself and my team manage the Healthy Heart Grants and deliver healthy heart checks in in communities and workplaces.
Dr Helen Flaherty
Head of Health Promotion and Education
Simon Taylor
Health Promotion Coordinator and Physiologist
I have a background in preventative healthcare and programme management and enjoy applying my knowledge to help improve people’s health and wellbeing. My role within the charity involves coordinating various wellbeing related projects including our Healthy Heart Mark, Healthy Heart Grants and Masterclass Programmes.
Simon Taylor
Health Promotion Coordinator and Physiologist
Holly Fleetwood
Health Promotion & Educational Specialist (Interim)
With a Sport Therapy BSc and Applied Sports Nutrition MSc I have a keen interest in the holistic approach to a healthy lifestyle. As the Health Promotion & Educational Specialist I oversee the school programmes, including the content and the development of computer and virtual reality games. I also work with Professors and Clinicians to provide information for children born with heart conditions live more active and healthy lives.
Holly Fleetwood
Health Promotion & Educational Specialist
Katie Rufus
Health Promotion Support Officer
I started at Heart Research UK in 2020, and I feel very grateful to work for such a great charity. My role is to support in the development and delivery of health promotion programmes, with my main focus being the planning and delivery of the Healthy Heart Grants programme. When I am not working, you are most likely to find me at the park with my daughter, Elsie.
Katie Rufus
Health Promotion Support Officer
Amie Lunn
Health Education Support Officer
I joined HRUK in April 2022 and work supporting various projects including the Primary Schools Programme and Clinical Masterclasses. As a Nutritional Therapist, I take great enjoyment in helping individuals improve their health through nutritional and lifestyle interventions; health and nutrition are themes that run throughout all aspects of my work and personal life. I have two headstrong, young daughters who keep me busy outside of work!
Amie Lunn
Health Education Support Officer
Jack Lloyd
Health Education Administrator
After starting as a volunteer at the young age of 14, I’m excited to have progressed to being Heart Research UK Midlands’ first ever apprentice. Once completing my apprenticeship, I welcomed the opportunity to join the Health Promotion & Education team where I’m proud to be able to contribute to a charity that not only funds pioneering medical research but also inspires communities to improve their heart health for themselves.
Jack Lloyd
Health Education Administrator
Corrina Ward
Healthy Hearts Coach
After completing a placement with Heart Research UK as part of my MSc Nutrition, I was thrilled to be offered a role as a Healthy Heart Coach on the Healthy Hearts at Work programme. I am looking forward to using my knowledge, experience and passion for nutrition and behaviour change to empower people to improve their health and wellbeing. Having worked in a number of industries before returning to study, I can appreciate the challenges that work life presents in terms of our health and wellbeing goals.
Corrina Ward
Healthy Hearts Coach
Jules Duncan
Healthy Hearts Coach
I have previously worked within healthcare and education supporting individuals to improve their health and wellbeing. With a keen interest in nutrition, I returned to study and have a BSc (Hons) Nutrition. I am delighted to be joining the team at Heart Research UK as a healthy heart coach and look forward to sharing the knowledge I have gained to empower others to make positive lifestyle changes to improve their health.
Jules Duncan
Healthy Hearts Coach
Chinwe Uzokwe
Healthy Hearts Coach
I have interest in helping people achieve their personalized healthy eating goals and improve their health and wellbeing. I have academic training in Nutrition and Dietetics (BSc) and Public Health Nutrition (MSc). With these academic studies and years of experience, I am looking forward to using my knowledge and passion to empower people to make healthy lifestyle choices amidst the work-life challenges.
Chinwe Uzokwe
Healthy Hearts Coach
Fundraising Team
Mary Campbell
Head of Income Generation (Interim)
I joined Heart Research UK in 2020 as Head of Fundraising. Having fundraised for 16 years at various charities, my role is to support the team and develop fundraising so that the charity can achieve its aims. I live in Leeds and can usually be found at a park with my three young children.
Mary Campbell
Head of Income Generation (Interim)
Rachel Brooke
Community Engagement
I’ve been working at Heart Research UK since 2015 looking after Community and Events supporters, helping and guiding them through their fundraising journeys. I also look after campaigns and appeals such as the Anonymous heART Project and Treasure Your Heart, as well as our celebrity supporters.
Rachel Brooke
National Events & Campaigns
Isabel McKenzie
Corporate Development
I’ve been at Heart Research UK since 2018, supporting businesses of all sizes who fundraise for us. This includes our fantastic long term partners, businesses who choose us as their charity of the year partner, or who want to fundraise with one big team challenge or event.
Isabel McKenzie
Corporate Development
Jess Harrison
In Memory and Legacy Marketing Officer
I joined Heart Research UK in 2022 as the In Memory and Legacy Marketing Officer. I help people who want to celebrate their lost loved ones by supporting us in their memory and I also promote fundraising through gifts in Wills. It’s such an honour to support people who give to us this way.
Jess Harrison
In Memory and Legacy Marketing Officer
Pamela Hook
Supporter Care Officer
I support the Fundraising team at Heart Research UK with admin support, such as sending out letters and event packs, as well as keeping everything organised. It’s always great to meet our lovely supporters at our events. In my spare time I enjoy sewing, paper crafting, gardening and baking.
Pamela Hook
Supporter Care Officer
Francine Shilton
Head of Income generation
I’m the Head of Fundraising at Heart Research UK and my daily motivation is our supporters. It’s so inspiring hearing what they are doing to raise money for our cause. They are the absolute backbone of our charity and are at the centre of everything we do, we’re proud of each and every one them.
Fran Shilton
Head of Income Generation
Midlands Team
John Lloyd
Midlands Regional Executive
I’ve been Heart Research UK Midlands Regional Executive since 2007, and I feel so fortunate that I was given the opportunity to work for a charity that has achieved so much in it’s history. The local community and businesses in the Midlands have embraced what we continue to do in our region, which is reflected in their overwhelming generosity.
Joanne Madden
Midlands Admin and Events
I joined the Midlands team in 2012 and am very proud to be a part of Heart Research UK’s achievements. The passion and generosity from the local community is always an inspiration and it’s a pleasure fundraising alongside them for pioneering medical research, ground-breaking training and education to improve heart health.
John Lloyd
Midlands Regional Executive
Joanne Madden
Midlands Admin and Events
Finance, Data and IT Team
Phil Newby
Head of Finance
I’m responsible for reporting, accounting and budgeting to get the best value from the valuable donations that Heart research UK receives. I hold a Master’s degree in Charity Accounting and Financial Management. I’ve worked in charity finance roles for the last 20+ years in range of charities, including in a small community centre to a large mental health organisation.
Phil Newby
Head of Finance
Deb Sowden
Finance Assistant
I’ve worked at Heart Research UK since 2013 as a Finance Assistant.
I deal with allocating income, paying invoices and raising sales invoices. It’s always incredibly rewarding seeing the generous donations that Heart Research UK receives. Outside of work I’m a season ticket holder at Leeds Rhinos and enjoy walking.
Deb Sowden
Finance Assistant
Richard Gledhill
IT and Office Administrator
I have been working for Heart Research UK since 2000, where I look after the office’s IT systems and requirements, as well as assisting everyone with administrative help and support.
Out of hours, I can mostly be found on the golf course or playing pool, as I’m rather good at both.
Richard Gledhill
IT and Office Administrator
Laure Rigal
Data Manager
I joined Heart Research UK as Data Manager in October 2020. Most of my career so far has been in the commercial sector working for companies such as BBC Worldwide, TUI as well as number of data specialist agencies. Working for a charity has been a long standing ambition of mine so it’s fantastic to be here! I live in Huddersfield with my husband, our dog, cat and two hens!
Laure Rigal
Data Manager
Matt Hickling
Data Assistant
I am Heart Research UK’s Data Assistant, and I have been with the charity since 2016. My role is very varied, collecting and analysing data and working on the Heart Research UK database. Outside of work, I’m a passionate Leeds United fan, and live in hope that this may be the year they go up!
Matt Hickling
Data Assistant
