Our team
In order to keep its overheads to a minimum, the CGD Society does not employ any staff directly. Instead it collaborates with Genetic Disorders UK to ensure that the charity is run professionally and at a low cost base.
Caroline Harding, Chief Executive
Caroline became the Chief Executive of the CGD Society in 2010 and is also the co-founder and Chief Executive of Genetic Disorders UK, the charity that organises the annual Jeans for Genes Day fundraising event. She has a degree in business and an MBA from INSEAD. Before moving to the charity sector in 2007, Caroline had an international career in marketing and brand development leading areas of strategic and interactive marketing and working on global brands like Dove and Vaseline. Caroline is a grant holder and peer reviewer for The Wellcome Trust’s public engagement schemes. She is married with three children, two of whom have a genetic disorder.
Dr Susan Walsh, Head of Research and Specialist Services
Susan is Head of Research and Specialist Services at the CGD Society where she has worked since 2002. She has a degree in biochemistry and a PhD. During her research career in osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis and myasthenia gravis she held several research grants, published research papers and acted as an external reviewer for grant awarding bodies and scientific journals. At the CGD Society, Susan oversees the provision of the nursing and psychology services, and works with the Research Advisory Panel to identify key areas of research to fund. Susan is a member of the following boards: The UK Genetic Testing Network Clinical and Scientific Advisory Group, the Specialised Services Clinical Reference Group for Specialised Immunology and Allergy Services and is a member of the Executive Council of the Association of Medical Research Charities.
Helen Braggins, Paediatric CGD Clinical Nurse Specialist
Helen is a Registered Sick Children’s Nurse and a Registered General Nurse, and works full time as our Paediatric CGD Clinical Nurse Specialist based at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London. She has extensive nursing experience in haematology and oncology, child protection, care of children with complex needs, specialist adolescent care and transition to adult services. Helen worked previously at University College Hospital and at St Mary’s NHS Trust where she coordinated a multi-disciplinary nursing team. Helen provides nurse support for families affected by CGD throughout the UK, as well as on-site support for CGD patients under the care of Great Ormond Street Hospital. Her work includes coordination of clinics for CGD, working with patients undergoing transplant and giving intravenous home therapy. She also offers pre-natal genetic advice and ante-natal support for carrier mums.
TO BE APPOINTED, Adult CGD Clinical Specialist Nurse
We are currently recruiting an Adult CGD Clinic Nurse Specialist to run our adult CGD nursing service. This will be based at the Royal Free Hospital Hampstead NHS Trust in London.