Our Board of Trustees
Shine is governed by a committed and experienced Board of Trustees who provide strategic leadership, oversight, and accountability. The Board ensures that Shine operates in line with charity and company law, upholds the highest standards of governance, and remains focused on delivering meaningful impact for people affected by spina bifida, hydrocephalus, and related conditions.
Our Trustees bring together professional expertise, lived experience, and a shared commitment to Shine’s mission. They challenge and support the organisation’s strategy, oversee risk and financial management, and ensure that decisions are made ethically, responsibly, and in the best interests of our community.
Meet our Trustees below.
Joanne Williams – Chair
Joanne joined Shine’s Board in 2017 and currently serves as Chair. Based in Northern Ireland, she was inspired to become involved with Shine through her nephew, who has spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
Joanne brings over 34 years’ experience in the Civil Service and is currently Acting Head of the Industrial and Fair Employment Tribunals in Northern Ireland, with responsibility for corporate governance, finance, and operational delivery. Her expertise on the Board includes corporate governance and organisational leadership.
Joanne is Shine’s Lead Trustee for Northern Ireland and one of two Lead Trustees for Safeguarding.
Michael Brown – Vice Chair
Michael comes from an educational background, most recently serving as Head of Mathematics and Science at a large sixth form college. Since retiring from teaching, he now works as an education consultant.
He is a passionate advocate for raising awareness of Shine and regularly represents the charity to external organisations to promote its work and support fundraising efforts. Michael brings strong communication, leadership, and educational insight to the Board.
Jenny Goy – Treasurer
Jenny joined the Board in December 2022. She is a parent of a Shine member with spina bifida and has been supported by Shine since receiving her son’s diagnosis during pregnancy.
Jenny lives in Lancashire and is currently Chief Financial Officer of LET Education Trust, overseeing financial governance across multiple schools. She has extensive experience in financial management, charity accounting compliance, and Department for Education requirements, providing vital financial oversight to Shine.
Roger Bayston
Professor Roger Bayston is a Clinical Microbiologist and Professor of Surgical Infection at Nottingham University School of Medicine. He is internationally recognised as a leading authority in his field and pioneered the development of the Bactiseal Shunt, significantly reducing infection rates in people with hydrocephalus.
With a career spanning over 50 years, Roger has worked at institutions including Sheffield Children’s Hospital, Great Ormond Street Hospital, and the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery. His research has contributed extensively to improving the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of shunt infections.
Roger has been involved with Shine for over 40 years and has served as a Trustee for more than a decade. He is also a committed campaigner for folic acid supplementation to prevent neural tube defects. His many honours include a Lifetime Contribution Award from Shine in 2013.
Sue Kukadia
Sue brings significant legal, business, and leadership expertise to the Board. She is currently Head of Immigration (Specialist Tax) and a Director at Mazars, a leading international audit, tax, and advisory firm.
With over 20 years’ experience in professional services, Sue has previously worked with Ernst & Young, Deloitte, and BDO. She has served on numerous leadership boards, contributed to policy discussions with the Home Office, and is a regular speaker at industry events.
Sue lives with spina bifida, giving her valuable lived experience and a deep understanding of the challenges faced by Shine members and their families.
Dr Richard Oakley
Richard joined the Board in July 2023 and is Associate Director of Research and Innovation at Alzheimer’s Society. He is the parent of a Shine member and found Shine’s support invaluable following his child’s diagnosis.
Richard holds a PhD in supramolecular chemistry and has held research roles in tissue engineering. He previously worked at Cancer Research UK, where he led research communications and strategy focused on maximising organisational impact.
He brings expertise in research, innovation, and strategic communications to the Board.
Joe Waggott
Joe was born with spina bifida and moved to the UK from Zimbabwe in 2005. He is a successful entrepreneur and founder of Metal Polishing Supplies UK Ltd, with products sold internationally.
Joe has received multiple business awards, including first prize in the eBay for Business Awards (2016) and the Stelios Award for Disabled Entrepreneurs (2022). He is an active Shine volunteer, providing peer support within the community, and joined the Board in December 2022.
Joe is deeply committed to supporting and empowering people with disabilities, informed by his own lived experience.
Jo Sedgwick
Jo lives in Lincoln and has over a decade of experience working as a Personal Assistant in local government. She currently works as a Virtual Assistant with a London-based sustainable innovation consultancy.
With a background in marketing, Jo brings strong communication skills, attention to detail, and high professional standards. Living with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, she is passionate about ensuring Shine members receive the support and opportunities they need to reach their full potential.
Roanne Woodward
Roanne is an experienced administrative leader and currently serves as Administration Team Leader and Personal Assistant to the Operations Director at the NIHR Leicester Clinical Research Facility.
Diagnosed with spina bifida at birth, Roanne brings valuable lived experience alongside professional expertise in business management, project coordination, and healthcare administration. She is pursuing a Chartered Manager Degree and studying British Sign Language, reflecting her commitment to inclusive and accessible communication.
Her resilience, leadership, and dedication strongly inform her contribution as a Trustee.
Professor John Douglas Pickard CBE
Professor John Pickard is Emeritus Professor of Neurosurgery at the University of Cambridge and Emeritus Professorial Fellow at St Catharine’s College, Cambridge.
His distinguished career focused on improving care for patients with acute brain injury, disorders of cerebrospinal fluid circulation, and prolonged disorders of consciousness. His work combined clinical research, ethics, and implementation science.
John has supported Shine for many years through clinical collaboration and strategic input and was recognised with Shine’s Professional Award in 2013.