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Our trustees

Philip Moore (Chair)

I became a trustee of the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust following my daughter's treatment for Rb and I am now proud and honoured to be chair of the Board of Trustees. In my work life I am group finance director of LV=, an insurance company, and a non-executive director of insurance brokers Towergate. I held previous positions in Friends Provident and PricewaterhouseCoopers, both in the UK and in the Far East.

When I'm not working I spend my time playing bad golf, skiing, I’m a governor of an Academy and, of course, with my family!

Oliver Comyn (Vice chair)

I am a research fellow in Ophthalmology at Moorfields Eye Hospital and the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology in London. My interest in retinoblastoma is personal as well as professional, having met an inspiring individual affected by Rb at medical school.

Although my research is currently in the field of diabetic eye disease, I hope to bring my knowledge of science and research processes to the board of trustees and use it to good effect on the research subcommittee, on which I have been asked to serve.

In my spare time, I enjoy training for triathlons by swimming and cycling regularly and occasionally forcing myself to go running. Sometimes I am brave enough to enter a race, so there’s a good chance you’ll see me doing some fundraising for CHECT at an event soon.

I look forward to serving on the board and meeting the members of CHECT.

Frank Maskell (Treasurer)

Philippa Godden

I became a trustee of CHECT in Sept 2000. My daughter, Harriet had been diagnosed with bilateral Rb just before her first birthday in May 1999. She had to have her left eye enucleated, and received chemotherapy to treat a tumour in her right eye. Thankfully the tumour responded to the treatment, and though the sight in her right eye is not perfect, she leads a pretty normal life.

I am a food scientist by training, and have been involved in the cheese industry for the last 20 odd years. A fascinating foodstuff, so much variety and so many interesting characters involved in its production. Leisure pursuits include playing the occasional game of tennis and gambling on the stock market in a ladies only investment club.

Ffion Miles

I was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma as a baby in 1975/6. I was then diagnosed with an osteosarcoma (bone cancer in my knee) in 1990 and have an extensive knee prosthesis.

I attended mainstream education at Welsh language primary and secondary schools before gaining a 2:I in Law at Aberystwyth University. I then gained a Masters in International Politics before passing my legal practice exams at Cardiff Law School. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in education and though encountered some difficulties I received a lot of support from my teachers, local authority, parents and friends. All necessary equipment and support was provided.

Having worked as a trainee solicitor for a while, I decided this was not the career for me and joined the BBC on a work placement scheme. I am now a community researcher for the BBC's community websites for North West Wales (one Welsh, one English) and greatly enjoy my work.
My other interests are singing (member of choir), travelling, reading, socialising with friends and live music.

I was very happy to become a trustee of CHECT as I am keen to represent the views of younger Rb survivors (and those who have gone on to be diagnosed with further tumours) and share any advice/knowledge I have to further the interests of the charity.

Dr Rowan Miller

I was treated for unilateral retinoblastoma aged three with enucleation. I am delighted to be a trustee again having served on the committee from 2001 to 2004.

I studied medicine at Oxford University and Guy's and St Thomas' hospitals. I am training in oncology and I work as a specialist registrar at University College Hospital, London.

I enjoy travelling and have previously worked in Tanzania and Bangladesh. I am training for a half marathon and I am an enthusiastic, if untalented skier.

Lisa Neilson

My name is Lisa Neilson and I am a mother of two girls, Emily and Charlotte, and I live in Edinburgh with my husband Adam. I work full time in financial services as a portfolio manager in the IT sector. I was diagnosed with an eye tumour at the age of 18 months and lost my left eye.

Until I was in my teens my family were not aware that this was retinoblastoma. After this revelation I became involved with CHECT and have been volunteering/providing family support since my early twenties. My children are now undergoing regular eye checks but thankfully are clear.

On a personal note I love spending time with my family, music/new bands, taking walks and more recently, enjoying caravanning holidays in the UK as well as the all important breaks in the sunshine.

I am delighted to be able to contribute to CHECT as a trustee and I hope to bring my professional management and IT skills in addition to my life experiences of Rb.

Brian Thorogood

I am semi retired, at 64, although my wife, Brenda, would hotly contest that statement.

I am the chairman of a group of companies in the Electronic Security Industry and a director of another small company working with the charity sector. I have held various CEO and chair positions throughout my working life. Previously I spent many years managing companies in Ethiopia and Sudan.

I have an HND in Mechanical Engineering and an MSc in Industrial Management from Cranfield.

My involvement with CHECT began after my grandson was diagnosed with bilateral retinoblastoma. He had his right eye enucleated in 2009 and has partial sight in his left eye. It seems to bother him not one jot! I was very pleased to be invited to be a trustee and am very proud to have been asked to chair the new fundraising team.

My hobbies are studying international politics and current affairs, cycling, endurance swimming and, above all, spending time with our family. I love being a granddad.

Meryl Hobbs

Brought up in London, I gained an MA from Trinity College Dublin. After a variety of jobs I married a businessman, who decided at the age of 35 to become a dairy farmer! We farmed successfully for 30 years and are now retired.

I had monocular Rb as a child, but have tried not to let it affect my life in any way.

I have had a variety of careers: personal assistant, infant teacher, farmer's wife, peripatetic violin teacher and, most importantly, mother of four children and grandmother to nine. One interesting assignment was serving on the Citizens Council for NICE. I have always been interested in science and this combined my interest with some really tough ethical questions.

I am particularly interested in research into Rb, and the psychological and practical difficulties which children with this condition may experience. I hope I will be able to help CHECT in these fields.

Benjamin Revill

Ben is a charity professional with personal links to the Childhood Eye Cancer Trust. Educated at Goldsmiths College (University of London) he became an IT sector professional 12 years ago and has specialised in providing business solutions to the charity and not for profit sector for the last 6 years. At IRIS Group (the UK’s largest software supplier to the sector) he is CARE Business Manager where he is responsible for providing the company’s flagship solution to over 50 of the UK’s top 100 charities including Guide Dogs, CLIC Sargent and Save the Children UK. He spends most of his time developing solutions in partnership with such charities to improve almost all aspects of business processes in the modern charity - Fundraising, Finance, Reporting, Service Delivery, Web integration and online strategies.

Ben is married to professional violinist Caroline, with two sons Hector and William. In August 2009 William (then aged 4) was diagnosed with unilateral Rb and was treated at the Royal London. During this life changing event Ben and Caroline became aware that there are many families in less fortunate positions than themselves due to Rb, that CHECT has a vital role to play in tackling the disease and that involvement with the charity is one way they could help.

Ayesha Awan

Ayesha has a Bachelor Degree in Business Management from University of HULL, where she also completed her MBA. Ayesha has recently changed jobs after 9 years with one company and is now working for Hult International Business School which is recognized by the economist as being one of the top 27 Business Schools in World. Her role there is Immigration & Compliance Manger, ensuring the School and its international student's are always compliant with UK immigration legislation and compiling procedures and strategies to meet changing UK immigration requirements. In previous roles and her current role Ayesha has dealt with many government bodies and University's on a daily basis.

Ayesha joined the board of trustees in 2011. She feels she brings a wealth of experience in a subject that is very personal and close to her heart as well as a background and experience which brings other skills which maybe beneficial to CHECT.

Ian Ellington

I have worked for my whole career in the food industry in a variety of commercial roles spanning sales, marketing, strategy and general management. I have worked for 2 (American) blue chip organisations : Mars Incorporated and Pepsico. I have lived and worked in the UK and France and had roles at both domestic market level and also with international / global responsibilities. I have extensive experience and a good network of contacts in communications and PR, design / printing and UK retail sectors. I have also had lots of exposure to general management issues, finance and budget management and strategic planning. I’m currently the MD of Walkers Snacks Ltd.

I am married with 4 children. My youngest, Tom, was diagnosed with unilateral RB in November 2008 and had an enucleation, losing his right eye....which was the beginning of my association with CHECT. I became a trustee in 2011.

Rachel Broquard

Rachel Broquard is a principle associate in the corporate group at Eversheds and is based in London. Rachel advises on and project manages a variety of corporate transactions. Her experience covers a wide range of corporate transactions including M&A, equity capital markets, re-organisations and joint ventures. Rachel joined Eversheds from Slaughter and May in 2007, during which time she also gained some in-house experience on secondment to Unilever.

She is a French speaker, having attended school in France and taken the Diplome d'Etudes Juridiques Francaises as part of her Law with French degree. As part of her training contract, she spent six months on secondment to Hong Kong.

Rachel has been involved in a number of the firm’s pro bono initiatives, including fundraising activities for Barnardo’s and leading a Give and Gain day project each year at the Link secondary school in Surrey, a school that specialises in meeting the needs of children with speech, language and communication difficulties. She also has experience advising a healthcare charity on corporate matters.

Rachel joined the board of trustees in 2012

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