Samantha Dickson Brain Tumour Trust is governed by our board of Trustees, who meet formally four times a year. In addition, they meet as members of various sub-committees and provide advice to the management team throughout the year. Our Trustees have a wealth of experience in the fields of finance, business and medicine. We are indebted to them for giving their time freely and providing so much support and help. Sadly a number of our Trustees have in common the loss of a child to a brain tumour. This terrible experience only serves to spur them on to do as much as possible in supporting the Trust to find a cure for brain tumours.
Neil Dickson (Chair)
Neil, with wife Angela, established the Trust in 1996 following the loss of their daughter, Samantha from a brain tumour. Since then SDBTT has grown to become the leading national brain tumour charity in the UK and the largest dedicated funder of brain tumour research. Neil previously set up his own aviation business which employed 100 staff with a turnover approaching £20 million. Neil attends many events and conferences to promote the charity and our work and is a key media spokesperson for the charity.
Angela Dickson
Angela founded the Trust with husband Neil and since then has worked tirelessly to raise funds and awareness of brain tumours. Angela attends many events to promote the charity and liaises with our Patrons. Angela worked as a PA for a director of a large London company before having her three children.
Graham Norton
Graham is a qualified chartered accountant and Group Financial Controller for a FTSE 250 company. Graham has 25 years experience in Finance at companies such as Cable and Wireless and Reuters. Graham is a longstanding Trustee, is Vice Chair of the Trust and Chair of the Finance Sub-Committee.
Berendina Norton (Berrie)
Berrie is the Pianoforte Professor at the Royal Military School of Music. She began her career as a civil servant which included working as Assistant Private Secretary to Michael Heseltine, the then Defence Secretary. Berrie is married to Graham and they have two children. Their eldest child, Michael, died of an aggressive brain tumour in 2000. Berrie is a member of the Patient Support Sub-Committee.
Peter McDermott
Peter is a longstanding Trustee and is Managing Director of Rochem Technical Services (RTS), a company he founded. RTS was formed to exploit the market for marine and industrial gas turbine cleaning systems. Peter has personal experience of brain tumours having lost his son, Hugo, in 2001. Peter also serves as a member of the Finance Sub-Committee and Major Donor Working Group.
Lady Alison Wakeham
Alison was appointed as a Trustee in 2008. Alison worked for Margaret Thatcher for 10 years both before and after she became Prime Minister. Alison is also a Trustee/Patron of a number of other charities in Hampshire and is the Deputy Lieutenant of Hampshire.
Philippa Murray
Philippa also joined the Trust in 2008. Philippa has a background in central government, having held a number of senior posts in HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs. Philippa is also a member of Great Ormond Street Hospital’s Transformation Board and Director of Dasic Marine Limited a marine engineering business based in Hampshire. Philippa has taken a career break since her 15 month old son, Lawrence, was diagnosed with a brain tumour. She cared for him until he passed away in September 2007 aged 3 years 9 months. Philippa is Chair of our Patient Support Sub-Committee and serves as a member of the Research Sub Committee having a degree in Biochemistry.
Shirley Barnfield
Shirley is well known to the Trust having established an umbrella group with her husband, Alastair, in memory of their son, Henry, in 2006. They have since raised over £40k and launched the ‘Love from Henry’ appeal to raise even more funds. Shirley is a qualified solicitor (non-practicing) with 20 years experience across a number of legal areas such as commercial litigation, corporate finance, employment and property.
Gavin St Pier
Gavin has a strong business background with a track record of achievement in senior positions in a number of large organisations, including KPMG, Deloitte, Kleinwort Benson and Barclays Wealth. Gavin is a chartered accountant and barrister. Gavin also serves as a Deputy Chairman of the worldwide body for trust professionals, the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP). Gavin is a member of the Finance & Fundraising Sub-Committee.
Ann Gales
Ann manages her own Executive Search Consultancy specializing in the Life Sciences Sector. She was previously Partner at Heidrick and Struggles, a global leader in the executive search industry, where she was responsible for establishing their UK Life Sciences Practice. She has also worked in both the Pharmaceutical and Energy industries in various regulatory and commercial roles. Ann has an excellent track record in her field and has also worked with CRUK and the MRC. Ann has an extensive network of relationships in both the private and public sector medical & scientific community in the UK and overseas. She has also been involved in fundraising activities with the Princess Royal Trust for Carers.
Aidan Lisser
Aidan has extensive leadership experience in marketing and brand management after a successful 25 year career with Unilever, Standard Chartered Bank, Allianz and currently Investec – where he is Chief Marketing Officer of the Wealth & Investment division. Aidan was a member of the steering committee for the Nelson Mandela Legacy Trust (UK) and is also an advisor to the British Museum on marketing issues. Aidan is also a member of the Finance & Fundraising Sub-Committee.