MS-UK is a national charity formed in 1993. We are here for people affected by multiple sclerosis (MS) – that’s around *150,000 people in the UK or one in 500, with about 135 people diagnosed every week on average. It is estimated that there are 2.3 million people living with MS worldwide. MS-UK is here for anyone affected by multiple sclerosis, to empower them to live healthier and happier lives by improving the understanding of MS and providing support where it is needed most.
The role of a Trustee is one of the most important. Our dedicated Board of Trustees work closely with the MS-UK management team to develop and ensure the effective implementation of our Strategic Plan.
* ‘MS Society Multiple Sclerosis Incidence, and Prevalence in the UK’. 2024. The Health Improvement Network (THIN) Database (A Cegedim Proprietary Database). This work uses data provided by patients and collected by the NHS as part of their care and support.
Matthew has been an invaluable member of the MS-UK Board since 2017, currently serving as the Chair of the Board. His extensive experience in supporting charitable organisations is evident through his previous roles as Treasurer for Attend, a national brain injury charity and Deputy Chair for the Colchester Mercury Theatre. In 2020, Matthew was awarded a British Empire Medal for services to charity.
In his professional life, Matthew is a Commercial Manager in the banking sector. He manages a diverse portfolio of 40-50 local and regional businesses with turnovers ranging from £2 million to £50 million. His career in banking began at 16 and he has since amassed considerable expertise and a vast network within the business community.
Michael has been a dedicated member of MS-UK since 2010, bringing a wealth of corporate sector experience to the charity. As a corporate lawyer at Baker McKenzie, Michael led a team of cross-border lawyers in London, specialising in mergers and acquisitions.
Michael’s connection to MS-UK is deeply personal. His wife was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis while they were living in Chicago, a challenging period that left them feeling overwhelmed. Joining the MS-UK Board allowed Michael to leverage his personal and professional experiences to support others facing similar challenges.
Laura joined the MS-UK Board of Trustees in 2019. Laura is a registered Occupational Therapist. In her previous role, Laura served as the Head of Clinical Operations at St Helena, a hospice charity in Essex. More recently, Laura has taken on the role of Adult Community Services Lead at Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation NHS Trust.
Laura’s sister-in-law lives with MS, and Laura has been an active supporter of her journey, gaining valuable insights into the experiences and needs of those affected by the condition.
In 2019, Charlie became our youngest member of the board, being 25 years old when appointed. Originally working for a headhunting and consultancy firm specialising in sports, media, and entertainment, Charlie is now the Co-founder of two companies. The first is Reset, an organisation providing marketing services, leadership advice, commercial strategy and investment to the gaming industry. The second a podcast ‘The Business of Sport’.
Charlie’s commitment to MS-UK comes from having witnessed the challenges of MS first-hand, as his mother was diagnosed with relapsing-remitting MS. This experience has fuelled his passion for supporting those affected by the condition.
Having joined the board in 2022, Suzie brings over 14 years of expertise in marketing and communications to the MS-UK Board of Trustees. As an alumna of Google and former Head of Performance for a leading global advertising agency,
Suzie is a highly respected leader in performance marketing with a proven track record of driving growth for organisations. She currently serves as a trusted advisor to some of the world’s leading companies, working as a consultant for a media and marketing consultancy firm.
Suzie is enthusiastic about leveraging her knowledge of online media, data, and technology to support MS-UK in better reaching and engaging their community in the digital age.
Rebecca is the founder of her own consultancy, which specialises in supporting organisations with various aspects of human resources, including creating inclusive cultures, leadership development, and implementing robust people policies. Following her own diagnosis of MS, Rebecca founded the Facebook community MS & Work, dedicated to helping individuals manage workplace challenges related to multiple sclerosis.
Her extensive experience in the charity sector includes working with numerous national and local charities through her business, as well as serving on the boards of the County Durham Community Foundation and Creative Youth Opportunities.
Rebecca began her journey with MS-UK as a regular column writer for our magazine New Pathways in which she writes about MS and work. Rebecca joined the board in 2022.
Laura’s journey with MS began in 2017 when, at the age of 27, she was hospitalised during a relapse and subsequently diagnosed. This unexpected diagnosis was a shock, but Laura found invaluable support and understanding through MS-UK. Inspired by the support she received, Laura discovered a passion for running and has completed many fundraising challenges. Motivated to give even more, Laura became a trustee for MS-UK in 2022.
Professionally, Laura works in human resources within the manufacturing industry and is a Chartered Member of the CIPD. Laura’s blend of personal experience with MS and her professional expertise in human resources makes her a dedicated and empathetic member of the board.
Jack is the newest member of our board, joining us in August 2025. Jack is an Executive Director in the fresh produce industry, working with private equity-owned businesses where strong governance, compliance and leadership are essential. His role requires him to operate with integrity, transparency, and accountability, regularly engaging with both executive colleagues and board members. As Commercial Director, he represents his organisation to external stakeholders, building trust and managing relationships across clients, investors, suppliers and consumers.
Jack was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis in October 2023 and has since been dedicated to living as healthy and positive a life as possible, adjusting his lifestyle to support his wellbeing. Having benefitted personally from MS-UK’s services, he has already given back by fundraising for the charity through the Boston UK Half Marathon. This experience inspired him to explore how he could contribute further, both personally and professionally, by joining the MS-UK Board of Trustees.
