Meet the team
The BPA is largely run by a committee of dedicated volunteers who have porphyria, or are relatives of people with porphyria. The short bios below tell you a little about each of our committee members.
Our committee is separated into a board of trustees, a broader volunteer team, and a management team, facilitating the day-to-day running of the charity. The flowchart below shows you the structure of the organisation.
Together the BPA team and trustees are responsible for ensuring that the aims and objectives of the charity are fulfilled to the best potential and that the charity operates efficiently and according to the constitution. They are collectively responsible for the overall management and organisation of the BPA, and must do their best to ensure the financial stability of the charity.
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Liz Gill
Severely affected by acute porphyria since her late teens, Liz has developed an in depth understanding of all types of porphyria and the needs of those living with them through…...
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Sue Burrell
Sue first became aware of the BPA in her late teens, when her sister became ill. Even though she wasn’t actively involved in the charity’s workings at this stage, she would help…...
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Dr Vicky McGuire
Vicky is a Clinical Scientist and the scientific lead for the Scottish Cutaneous Porphyria Service based in Dundee. She is an active part of the porphyria scientific community with roles…...
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John Chamberlayne
Around 15 years ago, John and his wife, Kirstine, attended some of the early BPA meetings after their daughter suffered from a severe attack of variegate porphyria, which was eventually…...
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Anne Newton
Anne has been involved with the BPA since just after it’s inception in 1999. She came across an early invitation to one of the first support group meetings while searching…...
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Antony Fearn
Antony became a committee member following becoming increasingly active in the search for effective treatments and means of preventing outbreaks of EPP. With a lifelong passion for sport and adventure…...
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Richard Bennett
Richard Bennett has been a committee member for three years. He is not a porphyria sufferer, but became aware of the condition when he joined the pharmaceutical company, Orphan Europe.…...
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Karen Harris
Karen was diagnosed with variegate porphyria (VP) in 1982 (aged 26). It is assumed she inherited it from her father, as it is thought he probably suffered with many undiagnosed…...
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Alan Molyneux
Alan has AIP and suffered a very severe attack in his younger years. His daughter has also been affected by severe attacks. Alan has been involved with the charity for…...
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Kirstine Chamberlayne
Kirstine has been involved with the BPA, alongside John Chamberlayne, for around 15 years. They both came to a BPA meeting after their daughter had suffered an attack of VP.…...
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Victoria Harrold
Victoria was first diagnosed with erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) at the age of 24, after several years of fighting for a diagnosis with GPs, during which time she experienced severe episodes…...
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Georgia Newman
Georgia joined the BPA as an administrative assistant in 2023 and has recently focused more of her efforts on fundraising and communications, becoming a valued Fundraising and Coomunications Officer in…...
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Claire Jarvis
After volunteering with the BPA for around a year, Claire took on the very important role of Treasurer for the BPA. Claire is responsible for the financial aspects of the…...