Our Executive Leadership Team

Our Executive Leadership Team is made up of Caroline Rassell, our Chief Executive, and 7 directors.

Caroline Rassell, Chief Executive

"I am proud to be the CEO of Parkinson's UK whose relentless drive is to listen, work with and be guided by the Parkinson's community.  The charity's core purpose is to provide care, hope, better treatments and ultimately a cure.

"I have the privilege of being in a position where I can connect with people affected by Parkinson's and listen to and learn from their experience to ensure that the charity is delivering what they view as important. I also have the great honour of being in a position to say thank you to the many people and organisations who support the charity to ensure that we have the resources to deliver our offer.

"My background of being a CEO in the NHS and having started my career in local government allows me to bring the learning and connections from those roles into my current position.

"I care passionately about end of life care and as such I am trustee of my local hospice.  

"Being active is also something that I believe strongly in, as it's great for your physical and mental health and allows you to make new and different connections. I am an avid and proud parkrunner and have now graduated onto collecting parkruns to spell both my name and the letters of the alphabet."

Photo of Caroline by Public Finance/Redactive Publishing.

Juliet Tizzard, Director of External Relations

"I joined Parkinson's UK in August 2022 to head up a new External Relations directorate, thrilled to be joining such a passionate and community-focused charity. My teams lead our campaigns to influence policymakers, NHS improvement, education and engagement, media relations, marketing and communications activities. And work alongside people affected by Parkinson's to make sure people know who we are, what support we offer, and what change we are fighting for.

"In the years before joining Parkinson's UK, I have worked in the civil service and the NHS in a number of health and research policy and communications jobs. I've led campaigns on issues including access to fertility treatment, organ donation opt-out, legalising embryonic stem cell research, and putting lived experience at the heart of how clinical research is done. More recently, I led policy and partnerships work for the Health Research Authority during the coronavirus pandemic, helping to ensure that patient-centred research into COVID-19 vaccines and therapies could start as quickly as possible.

"Having grown up near the sea but now living in a city, I like to do coastal walks as often as I can."

Sue Hall, Interim Director of Finance and Operations

"I joined Parkinson's UK in June 2023 as the Interim Chief Finance and Operations Officer to lead this newly restructured department. We support the charity by providing business planning, management reporting, financial services, local groups financial support, technology services, data analytics, procurement, project and change management, performance management, risk management and data protection support.

"I am a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants, with more than 20 years board level and senior management experience spanning a range of public, charitable and private sector businesses. I am a respected and inspirational leader who helps to shape, influence and deliver organisational change. 

"My late mother lived with Parkinson's so the charity and the cause has always been a large part of my life."

Arthur Roach, Director of the Parkinson's Virtual Biotech

"I have spent 25 years in research, discovery, and development for drug companies and universities, working on projects developing new treatments for Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and multiple sclerosis (MS). 

"My big preoccupation is with finding the best means to convert the genetic and biochemical discoveries of the past decade into new treatments that will make a difference to people with Parkinson's. I know that this means finding the best way to work with university researchers, biotech and pharma companies, and people living with Parkinson's. 

"At Parkinson's UK, we've built the Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech into an international, patient-driven drug discovery and development programme. It uses methods from the business world to fast-track projects that show the most promise to create the new treatments that people with Parkinson’s urgently want and deserve. Even better, we do this with the funding provided by the Parkinson’s community and its many friends and supporters."

David Dexter, Director of Research

"I‘ve held various positions over my almost 40-year career, including Scientific Director of the Parkinson’s UK Brain Bank and Deputy Head of the Division of Brain Sciences at Imperial College London. And, most recently, as the Associate Director of Research at Parkinson’s UK.

"My relationship with the charity started when they funded my PhD in 1985, so I’m very proud to now be stepping into a leadership role which oversees the research grants programme and portfolio of active projects. The research that’s happening in this area is not only building a pipeline of discoveries to fuel the Parkinson’s Virtual Biotech’s drug development and discovery work, it’s also helping us better understand the condition, how it develops, how we can monitor it and how symptoms can be managed in other ways, including non-drug approaches. All of this is vital work.

"In my new role, I will also oversee research communications and involvement, making sure that the views of people with Parkinson’s are taken into account in our work and that of others. Additionally, it is vital that we maximise the potential opportunities for people with Parkinson’s to take part in research. It’s an area that I’m passionate about as it’s vital to shaping the future of research."

Kelly Rust, Interim Director of Community

"I joined Parkinson’s UK in December 2023 as Interim Director of Community. My role is to lead the directorate after a large investment and restructure, and ensure a smooth transition until the permanent postholder is in place. The Community directorate is responsible for delivering our information and support services, our work in local communities across the 4 nations, and support for volunteers and people who participate in the work of Parkinson’s UK.

"I’ve spent the last nearly 25 years working in the voluntary and community sector in a variety of roles as an employee, volunteer, trustee or consultant. I have extensive experience in senior leadership roles in strategic operations, service delivery and grant-making, working to deliver impact. I'm excited to be working with Parkinson's UK, helping provide vital support, information and services to people affected by Parkinson's."

Paul Jackson-Clark, Director of Fundraising and Experience

"I've been lucky to have worked in the UK charity sector for 30 years and at Parkinson's UK since 2009.

"I am inspired, fascinated and energised by people's tireless and selfless capacity to give money and time to charities, just like ours, for the benefit of others.

"When I am not working, I like to cycle, cook and laugh with family and friends."

Oliver Wareham, General Counsel

"I joined Parkinson's UK in May 2020 after a short career break. Before that, I was a corporate partner at a leading international law firm for nearly 30 years.

"In my role as General Counsel, I'm responsible for the leadership and management of the charity's governance, regulatory and legal function. I'm enjoying the opportunity to use my skills and experience to assist the charity in achieving its strategic objectives, including the development of the virtual biotech programme. I have a particular affinity to the charity as some of my family members were affected by Parkinson's.

"Having arrived at Parkinson's UK during the coronavirus restrictions, I have been impressed by the energy and enthusiasm of my colleagues and how well everyone has adapted to remote working."

Executive pay at Parkinson's UK

As part of our commitment to openness, we are happy to disclose information about senior staff salaries, and how salaries are governed.