Meet the team
The Trustees and staff members that make up your Tuberous Sclerosis Association team
The Tuberous Sclerosis Association (TSA) is governed by a Board of Trustees, with sub-committees in place for specific areas of interest (such as finance and research). Along with our board, the TSA is ran by a small and dedicated team passionate about improving the lives of people affected by Tuberous Sclerosis Complex.
Board of Trustees and committees
Our Board of Trustees and committee groups help to set out the strategies and direction of the TSA. The Board works closely with the Chief Executive to monitor and evaluate the success of the TSA in delivering its objectives, as well as ensuring that the charity’s governance, vision and values – as set out by the five-year strategy – are upheld.
President
Dr Chris Kingswood
Hon Life Vice Presidents
Esther Galbraith
Anne Carter
Christine Naylor
Trustee Officers
Chair – Dr Frances Elmslie
Vice Chair – Sanjay Sethi
Treasurer and Company Secretary – Simon James
Other Trustees
Annemarie Cotton
Dr Chris Kingswood
Jane Rogers
Martin Short
Martin Short
Tom Carter
Chris Kingswood
Information about RESCOM, including the current committee members, can be found on the page ‘Meet your research committee’ here.
Staff members
Our committed staff members come from a wide-range of different disciplines, including medical, social care, advocacy, research and communication backgrounds. These different experiences help the TSA team to drive forward improvements in the lives of people affected by TSC.
Joint Chief Executives
Luke Langlands (Joint Chief Executive)
Luke joined the TSA with a strong background in health and medical communications, having been part of a wide range of UK and Global teams for charities, pharmaceutical companies and healthcare professional societies. Luke is passionate about the power of effective communications to support and illustrate the work being done to improve people’s lives. Luke has a Masters degree in Journalism.
Dr Pooja Takhar (Joint Chief Executive)
Pooja joined the TSA from Asthma UK, where she has implemented the charity’s research strategy and built influencing and partnership opportunities as their Research Operations Manager. Pooja previously worked as a Research Development Manager at Action on Hearing Loss, and has over 13 years’ experience as a lab-based researcher including as a research fellow at Kings College London and Imperial College London. Pooja has a PhD in Immunology and an MSc in Genetics.
Support and information
Anna Gaunt (Support Line Manager)
Anna has worked in a range of information roles and have also written for various publications, all of them focused on her specialisms of disability, health and wellbeing. Anna has a wealth of experience in support lines, having worked as a support line contact for another health charity four years prior to joining the TSA. When you contact the TSA support line, either Anna or Rachel will be on the other end of the phone or email.
Amy Duncan (Support Line Adviser)
Amy has a strong background in being at the frontline of support services. Amy worked for many years in the control room for 999 emergency fire services, and also supported vulnerable people in their homes as part of a wide-spanning role for a different different charity. In Amy’s words: “I’ve always been passionate about roles that involve helping people. I’m driven by a passion to ensure that the TSC community receives equitable treatment and has access to quality healthcare, education, and activities.”
Research
Ella Mercer (Research and Policy Officer)
Ella is a vital member of the team, ensuring that our work in research and policy goes smoothly and is the best that it can possibly be. With a background in medical research, Ella supports TSC researchers with their projects, while making sure they’re addressing the questions that are most important to the TSC community. Ella is also the main point of contact for the TSC Research Volunteer Network – a group of people affected by TSC (including parents, carers and loved one) who are helping us to shape the future of TSC research.
Fundraising
Sara Eltman (Head of Fundraising)
Sara has decades of experience in the charity and not-for-profit sector. Having been successful in a wide range of fundraising roles for many different types of charities, Sara brings a deep experience of charity fundraising that is vital to the long-term success of the charity. Be sure to speak to Sara about any fundraising ideas or plans that you have!
Chris Doyle (Fundraising Officer)
Chris is part of our small yet mighty fundraising team. When he isn’t thanking our incredible fundraisers or working closely with Sara, he’s working hard on many other areas of the fundraising part of the TSA. Chris joined the TSA after previously having another important role at a separate charity. Chris has a degree in Politics.
Make a one off or regular donation
£10 Can allow us to send a welcome pack to a family who has just received a life-changing TSC diagnosis, ensuring that they do not go through this time alone.
£25 Can help us develop materials that are included in our support services, flagship events or campaigns.
£50 Can provide laboratory equipment for a day’s research into the causes, symptoms, management or treatment of TSC.
To provide help for today and a cure for tomorrow