Our People

An entrepreneurial and creative-led professional in brand communications, business development and leadership, Marc’s career spans 36 years, with 30 years spent in advertising and marketing roles, from graduate trainee to Managing Director. More recently, Marc has been CEO at a national health and wellbeing charity (Brain and Spine Foundation) and Vice Chair at Neurological Alliance England.

“My interest in supporting a neurological charity was born of personal experience – my brother has lived with epilepsy for 45 years. Equally relevant now are his challenges related to mental health and wellbeing caused by this chronic condition.”

Hannah is an independent consultant. She has a background in advocacy and improving care for people with long-term conditions, working with patent organisations, health professionals, parliamentarians and NHS decision-makers on areas such as clinical care pathways, access to treatments, patient-partnership and data collection to improve services. Hannah has held senior positions in patient organisations and she worked with the NHS England Neuroscience Clinical Reference Group, and the neurological community, to improve services for people with MS and other neurological conditions as Programme Manager of the National Neurosciences Advisory Group.

Hannah met Amy while working on a project to improve care for people living with MS. She soon became a trustee of MS Together to support and contribute to the charity’s growth, and its goal of empowering young people with MS to share their stories, advocate for themselves and live their best lives.

Samantha brings over 14 years of experience in the banking sector, with a particular specialisation in business for the past decade. Diagnosed with relapsing remitting multiple sclerosis at the age of 24, she has developed a passion for supporting the MS community and has actively participated in fundraising efforts for MS charities since her diagnosis.
As a dedicated volunteer for MS Together, Samantha has significantly contributed to enhancing the charity’s online presence and social media outreach, playing a pivotal role in the overall growth and branding of the charity. Earlier this year, she proudly assumed the position of trustee, eager to continue her commitment to fostering the charity’s development and impact.
With a unique combination of creativity, empathy, organisational skills, and a solid understanding of finances, Samantha is dedicated to making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals affected by multiple sclerosis.

Vanessa is one of the UK’s most most prominent figures in gender equality and received her OBE for services for women and the economy in 2018. At the height of her successful 25 year career in financial services, Vanessa launched the award winning WeAreTheCity in 2008 as a vehicle to help women progress in their careers. WeAreTheCity and its sister site, WeAreTechWomen now has over 100,000 members and provides resources/conferences/awards/jobs to women across the UK. Vanessa is the also the founder of UK wide diversity forum Gender Networks. Gender Networks which brings together diversity leaders from 85 cross sector firms to share best practice on a quarterly basis.

Over the past fifteen years, Vanessa has accumulated over 23 industry awards, including Women in Banking & Finance’s Champion for Women, Financial News Top 100 Rising Star, The International Alliance for Women Top 100 Women globally & Brummells Top 30 London Entrepreneurs, GQ UK’s Top 100 Connected Women, the Evening Standard’s 1000 Most Influential Londoners and most recently, the Computer Weekly Hall of Fame. Vanessa is also the author of “Heels of Steel: Surviving and Thriving in the Corporate World”.

Dr Niraj Mistry is a consultant neurologist based at Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham. He completed his pre-clinical medical training at the University of Cambridge, his clinical training at Addenbrooke’s, his basic neuroscience training in Oxford, and his higher specialist training in Nottingham. Nij earned a Research MD from the University of Cambridge for investigations in MS performed at Sir Peter Mansfield Imaging Centre. His research focused on the use of Ulta-High-Field MRI, to improve how MS is diagnose and to advance understanding of how MS causes disability. During this time, he was also intensely involved in more than a dozen clinical trials investigating the efficacy of new treatments for MS patients.

“I wanted to be a trustee because it was a way for me to understand and engage with the care needs of younger people with MS, needs that sadly aren’t always catered for in NHS services.”

Ruth trained as a registered general nurse at the Royal Free hospital, London qualifying in 1991, she worked in neurosurgery initially and then neurology from 1993 onwards, she has been passionate about improving care and encouraging change and collaborations ever since.

Ruth has worked in the UK and Australia, undertaking specialist neuro courses whilst at Queens Square and worked as a clinical specialist nurse in Motor Neurone Disease, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis both in acute and community settings. She now works as head of nursing for Neurology Academy as an ad hoc MS nurse consultant within the NHS.

Tom Jamison became the editor of the UK’s favourite disability lifestyle publication, Able Magazine, in 2013. Tom has lived experience of disability, having been diagnosed with cystic fibrosis in his thirties. Additionally, within his work for Able Magazine, he has spoken with thousands of disabled people to tell their stories and share the answers and solutions they’ve come up with in making it all work. As the editor, Tom promotes Able Magazine’s motto: ‘About what disabled people can do, not what they can’t’ whenever possible.

The attraction of becoming a trustee with MS Together was the opportunity to help shape a new charity looking at ways to support young people with MS. Tom had become known to MS Together founder, Amy Thompson, via his work with the National Diversity Awards and was invited to join the board of trustees. The decision to join MS Together as a trustee was entirely simple, since it presents further opportunities to help young people to live better and reach their potential.

Annabelle works as a Tax Senior for an accounting firm in East Anglia and also works in the inclusion and diversity space. Annabelle contributed to the award winning ‘Welcome Inclusion’ campaign in 2022 which was led by the ICAEW. Annabelle has also been recognised through a variety of awards for her contributions to improving inclusion. Annabelle was recognised with an impact award in 2023 from the MS Society for her contributions as part of their equality, diversity and inclusion reference group; and in 2024 she won the enriching society alumni award from Bournemouth University.

Annabelle first joined MS Together as a volunteer after joining the group following her own diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis. She wanted to help support the charity as a trustee as she has benefited from being a member herself and can see the positive impact the charity has on young people living with MS.