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Earl Howe

The 7th Earl Howe has been President of NSE since 1986, and regularly supports NSE fundraising events. These include allowing his ancestral home to be used for a classical music recital, hosting VIP guests at the Royal Albert Hall concerts, and providing the formal welcome at the annual Seahorse ball. Earl Howe is an elected hereditary peer and sits in the House of Lords as opposition spokesperson for health. Apart from his frontbench activities, he is also a member of the all-party group on mental health and epilepsy.

Brian Basden

Brian Basden was a governor of NSE from 1990 to 2002. He was honorary treasurer of the Society from 1996 - 1999 and again from 2000 - 2002. He is a former partner in an accountancy firm, and was an active member of NSE Enterprises (Ltd). Brian was invited to become an NSE vice president in February 2003 and retains an active interest in the work of the organisation.

David Cameron MP

David has a son with complex epilepsy and is leader of the Conservative party. David has worked at a senior level in business as well as government. In 2004, he won the disability champion award in the ePolitix Charity Champions Awards, having been nominated by the NSE. Before entering Parliament, David was director of corporate affairs and served on the executive board of Carlton Communication plc. He became a vice president of the NSE in 2005.

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Sir Colin Chandler

Sir Colin first became involved with the NSE in 1991, served as chairman of the Snapshot appeal in 1993 to raise funds for our first MRI scanner, and later as a member of the development board for the assessment centre appeal in 1999. Sir Colin is currently chairman of easyJet, deputy chairman of Smiths Group plc, director of Thales plc and pro chancellor Cranfield University. He was knighted in 1988 for services to export. He became an NSE vice president in 1995.

Felicity Dahl

Felicity is the founder of the Roald Dahl Foundation, set up in memory of her husband to support neurology, haematology and literacy projects. The Foundation has donated significant funds to the NSE, most recently towards the recreation and quiet rooms in the Sir William Gowers Centre, which she officially opened in 2000. She has been an NSE vice president since December 1992.

Beryl Goode

Beryl Goode was a governor of the NSE from 1984 to 2002, and as well as chairing the review committee, she was also a member of the medical and nursing committee and vice chairman of the board of governors. As a local resident, she is a regular visitor to the Chalfont site, and is committed to ensuring a good quality of living for NSE residents. Beryl became a vice president in February 2003.

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John Hirst

When their son James died suddenly in 2002 during an epileptic seizure, the Hirst family set up the James Hirst Research Fund to raise money on behalf of the NSE, most recently in support of the 3T scanner and our research programme. Mr Hirst is group chief executive of Premier Farnell, a top 200 listed company and has tirelessly approached corporate contacts to support the Fund. He is determined to raise the profile of epilepsy and in particular awareness of SUDEP (sudden unexpected death in epilepsy). He is also a Trustee of Epilepsy Research UK.

Angela and Richard Lascelles

Angela and Richard have supported NSE since 1990 and became associate members in 1998. A close relative has been through assessment at Chalfont with very positive results. Angela is co-founder and director of investment management company, OLIM. The Lascelles made a significant personal donation to the 3T scanner appeal and pledged to raise a similar amount from colleagues, which has now been exceeded. They are very much a team in their efforts to raise awareness of epilepsy issues across business and personal contacts. They became vice presidents in 2004.

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Professor John Marshall

John Marshall is emeritus professor of clinical neurology at the University of London. He became an NSE governor in 1989, was chairman of the board between 1992 and 1995 and has been a vice president since 1999. He was formerly dean of the Institute of Neurology (1982-1987) and contributed significantly to the development of the relationship between the NSE and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery.

Ian McCaskill

Ian lives locally and has personal experience of epilepsy within his family. He has been a consistent and lively supporter of our work for several years; fronting appeals, attending events, and even jumping out of a plane to raise money from his appearance on the BBC TV show Drop the Celebrity. He has a great rapport with residents and staff, and gives considerable time and energy to NSE. He was appointed as a vice president in 2004.

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Bob Pearce

Bob has been a long-time supporter of the NSE and his input has been of significant strategic importance. He became a governor of the Society in 1978, shortly after his retirement from Barclays Bank. After serving as honorary treasurer and vice-chairman, he was appointed chairman of the board in 1984. Bob oversaw the establishment of the fledgling senior management team and a move to non-dormitory accommodation for residents. This was followed by a progressive rehabilitation programme, the development of Sarcus Dean hostel (supported housing) and the setting up of an education department to inform the general public about epilepsy.

Nik Powell

Nik is head of the National Film and Television School in Beaconsfield and a film producer in his own right. Among his credits are Little Voice, Ladies in Lavender, Fever Pitch, Company of Wolves, The Crying Game, Christmas Carol: The Movie and Calendar Girls. He has personal experience of epilepsy and has been a supporter of the Society for several years. In 2005 he arranged for the Film and Television School to produce a much-acclaimed promotional DVD for the Society. He is a childhood friend of Richard Branson and the co-founder of Virgin. He is widely reported to have helped build Branson's empire in the vital early days. He became a vice president of the Society in 2005.

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Piers Pottinger

Piers was a member of the original Snapshot appeal committee (1992-5) and the NSE development board (1998-2001) to raise funds for the new assessment centre helping with high-level contacts into companies and trusts, and in 2000 personally sponsored Art for Epilepsy. He is currently deputy chairman of Chime Communications plc and chairman of Newmarket Investments plc. He has a family member with epilepsy, and became a vice president in 2004.

The Lord Stevenson of Coddenham, CBE

Lord Stevenson has been an associate member of the NSE since 1999, and has a family member with epilepsy. He is chairman of Halifax Group (since 2001) and Pearson plc (since 1997). He was made a life peer in 1999 and sits on the cross benches in the House of Lords. He headed the Stevenson Commission to examine the role of IT in schools, and has been awarded the first honorary doctorate of science from Cranfield School of Management. Lord Stevenson became a vice president in 2004.

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Sir Richard Sykes

Sir Richard has been an NSE vice president since May 1995. He was formerly deputy chairman and then chairman of Glaxo Wellcome plc (until May 2002) and is now rector of Imperial College London. In 1994 he was awarded a knighthood for services to the pharmaceutical industry. Glaxo Wellcome plc was the major donor towards the Snapshot appeal in 1994, and Sir Richard hosted a dinner on our behalf in July 2000 to build relationships with leaders in research.

Stephen Twigg MP

Stephen Twigg has been MP for Enfield Southgate since 1997. Previously he worked for Amnesty International UK, the National Council for Voluntary Organisations and as a research assistant in the House of Commons. He was also general secretary of the Fabian Society. Following the 2001 general election he became government minster and deputy leader of the House of Commons. In 2002 he became a junior minister at the Department for Education and Skills. He has a family interest in epilepsy and lists epilepsy among his interests in Parliament. He has been an active member of the all party group on epilepsy and is a vice president of Epilepsy Action. He became an NSE vice president in 2005.

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Anthony Wheatley

Anthony Wheatley first joined the board of governors in 1996, and took on the role of chairman in 1998, retiring in 2003. His knowledge and insight provided, and continue to provide a strong sounding board for the management team at the Society. Anthony served for 38 years in the Royal Navy before retiring in 1988 as a rear admiral, and was formerly the general manager at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery at Queen Square, London. He became a vice president in 2004.

October 2006