Trustees

Prof Marian Ludgate - Chair of Trustees

Marian is a retired research scientist (Professor Emerita in Molecular Endocrinology). Her career has been dedicated to the investigation of all aspects of the thyroid gland and to a range of thyroid disorders and accompanying conditions, such as thyroid eye disease. Over this time, Marian has worked in research centres in Cardiff and Brussels. She has also been involved in projects funded by our BTF Research Award and continues to be involved in thyroid research. 

Prof Duncan Bassett

Duncan Bassett is Professor of Endocrinology at Imperial College London and is a consultant physician at the Hammersmith Hospital specialising in metabolic bone disease. His research focuses on understanding the fundamental cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie skeletal development, maintenance and repair. He also has a longstanding interest in thyroid hormone action in mammalian development, and specifically its role in the developing skeleton, and in the maintenance and repair of adult bones and joints.

Kandeel Batool

Kandeel is a Neuro-Oncology Research Nurse with a specialist interest in high-grade glioblastoma, bringing extensive clinical and research experience within the NHS. She has lived with hypothyroidism from a young age. This gives her first-hand insight into the long-term challenges patients face, particularly around access to information, consistent support, and holistic care.  Kandeel has experience in charity governance and strategic leadership, currently serving as an Executive Board Member for APPSUKF, where she contributes to organisational strategy, patient advocacy, and service development. She leads an initiative promoting physical activity, mental wellbeing, and disease prevention within the community.

Kandeel says: I became a Trustee of the BTF because of my own lived experience as a patient. Working in healthcare meant I was able to access knowledge, research, and professional networks to help guide my own care - support that many patients do not have. 

Ruth Batty

Ruth has worked in the voluntary sector since 2001, mainly in CEO roles managing charities. She has also spent time as a self-employed charity consultant. Through her work with local, regional and national charities, Ruth has guided Trustee Boards to abide by current legislation, maintain organisational viability and develop new opportunities for their charitable works. She has faced chronic health issues since childhood and was diagnosed with Hashimoto’s disease in 1996.

Ruth says: I have first-hand experience of the complexities, challenges and barriers of managing a thyroid disorder, and have sought BTF advice on many occasions. I am delighted to have the opportunity to use my professional skills to ensure that BTF thrives operationally and financially. I love that BTF supports the voices of both patients and professionals, as it is only by working together that we can achieve progress.

Ana Cuddeford

Ana has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry, predominately in client-facing roles, most recently as an Investment Director at a UK Asset Manager and is currently Head of Investor Engagement at a not for profit startup. 

Ana has completed the Financial Time Non-Executive Directors Diploma: the Business Sustainability Management Diploma from the University of Cambridge Institute for Sustainable Leadership and holds a BSC: Econ in European Community Studies from Cardiff University.

Ana says: My mother has lived with Hashimoto's disease for several decades, and I was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer in 2022. I would like to help spread clear information about thyroid conditions so that more people are better equipped to manage their own thyroid health. 

Dr Fiona Eatock

Fiona is a consultant endocrine surgeon at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast. She has a large clinical practice in thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal surgery and is clinical lead for the Northern Ireland regional thyroid multidisciplinary team. She has a particular interest in the management of thyroid cancer, paediatric thyroid and parathyroid surgery and benign and malignant adrenal surgery.

President of the British Association of Endocrine and Thyroid Surgeons, she contributed to the development of the 2022 UK consensus guideline on the management of paediatric thyroid cancer and was a member of the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence Thyroid Cancer Guidelines committee which developed the 2022 UK guidance on the management of differentiated thyroid cancer

Dr Harshini Katugampola

Harshini is a consultant paediatric endocrinologist at Great Ormond Street Hospital with a specialist interest in neonatal endocrinology. She runs the clinical component of the follow-on service for the North Thames screening programme for congenital hypothyroidism, and manages children of all ages with primary and central hypothyroidism. She is also an honorary associate professor at UCL Institute of Child Health, and her academic work focuses on the postnatal preterm and term hormone milieu. Establishing normative reference ranges for thyroid function tests in preterm infants is one of her key areas of interest.

Harshini said: I am committed to using my experience and skills to support the BTF to make a difference to the lives of patients and families affected by thyroid disorders, both at strategic and individual levels. I am keen that the voices of children and young people are represented in the purpose and objectives set out by the BTF and will advocate for this.

Paul Madgwick

Paul is a Chartered Occupational Safety and Health professional, working as a Director of Health and Safety,

Paul has a particular interest in workplace health and wellbeing and has completed an MSc in Workplace Health and Wellbeing, as well as a MRes in Health Sciences Research (applied psychology) at the University of Nottingham.  He was a trustee for the Royal Society of Health for nine years.

Paul’s interest in thyroid disorders comes from his own diagnosis with a multinodular goitre which has had a significant impact on his own personal wellbeing.

Anna Reavell 

Anna worked in a companion animal practice as a veterinary surgeon having studed at the University of Cambridge. Prior to this she read psychology at the University of Loughborough. She also has a post-graduate diploma in Companion Animal Behaviour Counselling from Southampton University.

Anna was diagnosed with hypothyroidism after the birth of her second child who was diagnosed with Graves’ disease (hyperthyroidism) aged nine years. This has led Anna to be interested in childhood Graves’, including the psychological issues. She is passoinate in promoting knowledge of thyroid disease especially related to pregnancy.

Gavin Troughton - Treasurer

Gavin has spent over twenty years in commercial roles in the health technology space. He currently works as an advisor to breakthrough medical technology companies, helping with their product and commercial strategies.

Gavin says: Much of my work has involved engagement with healthcare systems, and I am a strong believer in supporting patients to understand and own their condition. I aim to use my business skills to support BTF to achieve its ambitions of supporting thyroid patients and championing research into improved treatments.

Dr Nicola Zammitt 

Nicola is a consultant endocrinologist at Edinburgh’s Royal Infirmary and was Clinical Director of the Edinburgh Centre for Endocrinology and Diabetes from 2016 until 2022. She has a particular interest in Thyroid Eye Disease (TED) and set up the regional joint TED clinic with ophthalmology colleagues there. Nicola previously sat on the Executive Committee of the British Thyroid Association (BTA).

Over the years, Nicola has been involved in the BTF’s work as a medical advisor and speaker at events. She was also a contributor to the BTF TED leaflet.

Nicola said: Our unit regularly uses the BTF information leaflets and we signpost patients to the website. Being a trustee provides the opportunity to become more formally involved with the BTF’s excellent work.  I believe my previous experience of working within a charity, and current role as a  trustee of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary Diabetic Treatment Trust (ERIDTT), means I have the skills and commitment to support the BTF’s work.