Executive group
The Executive Group is responsible for the day-to-day running of the MS Society, and reports to the board of trustees.
Through the Chief Executive they report directly to the Board of Trustees, and are responsible for all aspects of the day to day running of the Society.
- Simon Gillespie - Chief Executive
- Neil Spence - Director of Corporate Services
- Sue Farrington - Director of Information and Education
- Patricia Gordon - Director, MS Society Northern Ireland
- Patricia Mbasani - Head of Human Resources
- Judi Rhys - Director, MS Society Cymru/ Wales
- Nick Rijke - Interim Director of Policy and Research
- Nicola Tallett - Director of Fundraising & Marketing
- Barbara Williams - Director of Operations
Simon Gillespie - Chief Executive
"I love the sheer variety of my work – from meeting politicians and researchers to hearing the day-to-day problems that someone with MS can experience.
I was in the Royal Navy for 23 years, and more recently at the Charity Commission and the Healthcare Commission. I have a family connection with MS, and I joined the MS Society because I wanted the opportunity to work in a strong and focused team of staff and volunteers dedicated to beating MS.
It is a real privilege to be the Chief Executive of an influential and respected organisation that funds world-leading research, provides clear and impartial information, gives practical support, works to ensure people get the care they need, and ‘gets loud’ about MS. I lead a team of staff and volunteers who do exceptional things with and for the MS community.
We all share a passion to beat MS but I find it frustrating when key decision-makers don’t share our passion. We’re making progress but sometimes the pace of change is painfully slow!
Working together we can make significant positive differences for people with MS, now and for the future. It’s a great job in a great organisation!"
Neil Spence - Director of Corporate Services
Neil is a Chartered Accountant who qualified with Touche Ross (now Deloitte) in 1979.
He was Finance Director of a quoted PLC before joining London Docklands Development Corporation in 1989 as Finance Director. LDDC, a quango, was set the task of regenerating over 2000 acres of East London, including the area now known as Canary Wharf.
By the time LDDC was wound up in June 1998 Neil was Chief Executive. Between October 1998 and December 2000 he was Director of Corporate Services of the Dome and then Director of Corporate Services and Interim Managing Director of a leisure trust in West London.
Neil joined the MS Society in July 2007 as Director of Corporate Services. His areas of responsibility include Finance, Human Resources, ICT, Facilities Management and Health and Safety.
Sue Farrington - Director of Information and Education
“The shared vision, focus and a real sense of purpose among members, volunteers and staff to beat MS is one of the reasons I enjoy working for the society. But it has been the opportunity to meet and work alongside people with MS, which provides the real inspiration.
I have worked in education, marketing and communications, across the private, public and voluntary sector. As a director, of Corporate Affairs at CSV, I worked with the BBC to help people access information on health, welfare and social issues on local radio. Getting access to quality, reliable information helps us all to make informed decisions about our lives.
I work with a talented team of staff and volunteers to produce information, provide support and education and to continually raise awareness about MS. We know that new technology has a major role to play in meeting people’s individual information and support needs. Our expertise and enthusiasm drives all this forward and we like to think that what we do can make a real difference.
I am a member of the Executive Group and I lead on the communication, information and education work for the Society. I am also responsible for how we share information internally and how we manage the vast amounts of knowledge that all our various departments have. As a member of EG, I contribute to the overall leadership and strategy development for the organisation.”
Patricia Mbasani - Head of Human Resources
Patricia joined the Society in January 2008 as Head of Human Resources. Her role has a UK wide remit to provide strategic and operational HR leadership and support. She leads on the development of HR policies and standards for staff and volunteers. As a member of the Executive group she contributes to the leadership of the Society as a whole.
Since working for the Society Patricia has carried out a pay review to achieve a Society-wide transparent and fair pay scheme; developed a UK wide employee opinion survey, analysis and communication thereof.
Patricia’s employment experience has been in the education sector where she has held a range of HR positions. Her last post was as Director of Personnel at Morley College, a specialist designated institution for adult learners. Prior to that she worked at Queen Mary, University of London as HR Manager in the Strategy and Change Team and before that worked for schools in Tower Hamlets as Principal Personnel Officer.
Her qualifications include BA Hons in Business Studies majoring in Industrial Relations and Personnel Management, MSc in Public Service Management and a Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
Patricia is a school governor and a volunteer for a local children’s theatre group.
Patricia Gordon - Director, MS Society Northern Ireland and Acting Director, MS Society Scotland
"No two days are the same! I could be attending the wonderful support group in Coleraine, be inspired by a loyal group of staff or meeting politicians.
After thirty years working in health and social care, the last twelve at Chief Executive level and a re-organisation of Trusts in 2007 I decided to do something different.
I was so pleased to be able to maintain a link with health and social care, the many colleagues I had made in the voluntary sector and to work to support people affected by MS.
My job allows the opportunity to encourage policy makers to focus on enhancing the range of services that people with MS require, whether this is access to neuro-physiotherapy or the latest drug treatments. It has been super to see the range of services our Branches provide expand over the last couple of years, for example a computer class in Antrim.
We are very fortunate to have a day centre which, along with the many volunteers and supporters who visit our centre, ensures we all have a focus on supporting people with MS. My job is to ensure that politicians and policy makers share this objective."
Judi Rhys – Director, MS Society Cymru/Wales
“The team in Wales puts people affected by MS at the heart of everything they do - whether we are raising funds, lobbying and campaigning for better services, or working alongside health and social care professionals across Wales.
After a career in the NHS and in higher education, I worked as the Director of Diabetes UK Cymru before joining the MS Society as the Director for Wales in January 2008. The post provided a fantastic opportunity to really make a difference for all those people affected by MS in Wales.
The team in Wales puts people affected by MS at the heart of everything they do - whether we are raising funds, lobbying and campaigning for better services, or working alongside health and social care professionals across Wales. Leading the team in Wales means that I have the privilege of directing this work.
No two days are the same! I love working alongside volunteers and meeting so many inspirational people. It is great to get out and about around Wales, to listen to the issues that affect people with MS, their carers and their families and to work with them towards making the world a better place for them.
My role involves leading and directing all of the activities of the MS Society in Wales, which includes working closely with the volunteer MS Society Cymru Council. As a member of the Executive Group, I also contribute to the leadership, planning and policy formulation across the MS Society as a whole.”
Nick Rijke - Interim Director of Policy and Research
Nick Rijke joined the MS Society in January 2012.
Previously he has worked in the private, public and third sectors, mainly specialising in communications and public affairs, but also research, NHS improvement programmes and an early career in investment banking.
His work has included roles with the National Osteoporosis Society, the Environment Agency, the Local Government Association and the House of Commons.
Nicola Tallett - Director of Fundraising & Marketing
“I often meet people who have been affected by MS, so I love that I do something which has a real impact in their lives.”
After a Science degree and MA, I have been fundraising as a career mostly in overseas and children’s charities. I joined the MS Society in 2010 so that I could use my experience and skills as part of a team ambitious to beat MS. As Director of Fundraising and Marketing, I ensure that we raise enough money to do all that we need to beat MS. The more people who know of the MS Society and the money we raise, the more we can invest in research, campaigning, information and services.
I often meet people who have been affected by MS, so I love that I do something which has a real impact in their lives. Whilst funding great services and accessible information, ultimately I want to be the person who raised the money to pay for the cure for MS.
With my team and volunteers across the UK, we plan and deliver a range of activities. So I listen to how MS Society is there for people affected by MS and use these amazing stories to inspire volunteers, fundraisers and the public to invest their cash in supporting people with MS and finding a cure.
Barbara Williams - Director of Operations
“MS Society volunteers make a tangible difference through the support they offer to individuals on a practical level and through their amazing commitment to raising funds and making sure they make an impact locally.
Volunteering has been the passion that stuck with me through roles in social work in Northern Ireland, community transport and play schemes in London, voluntary and statutory organisations in West Sussex to being UK Director of a youth volunteering programme with CSV (Community Service Volunteers) between 2001 and 2007. My passions remain in volunteering and social care and these come together in my role with the MS Society.
As Director of Operations I am privileged to work closely with people affected by MS on a day to day basis. MS Society volunteers make a tangible difference through the support they offer to individuals on a practical level and through their amazing commitment to raising funds and making sure they make an impact locally.
Every day is different - with 100,000 people with MS and thousands of volunteers you never know what might happen! A breakthrough in a drug development, a branch fundraising idea that raises fantastic sums of money, an inspirational story, a thank you letter, a falling out between volunteers, a legacy that could change lives….
What I love is when there is a true sense of shared purpose knowing that we are doing something that will bring about improved services or more choice and control for people with MS. I get frustrated by the irrational postcode lottery that means that some people do not get services and support that could make all the difference to their quality of life.”
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Contact
Got a question about how we're run? Get in touch at governance@mssociety.org.uk.
