Michelle McDermott
Co-Chairperson
Michelle McDermott is Co-Chairperson of the Thera Trust board, alongside Sally Warren.
Meet the board
Thera Trust has an equal executive team made up of five directors each with equal responsibility for decision making. Four of the roles are held by appropriately qualified and experienced leaders with the fifth role being held by someone who brings their experience of having a learning disability, along with their previous work experience, to the role.
Sakina Khan
Non-Executive Director
Sakina Khan is the Founder and Managing Director of Health Fitness Academy Ltd and an Innovation Manager at NCFE. She joins the Thera Trust board bringing lived experience of neurodivergence, having navigated dyslexia, dyspraxia and ADHD throughout her personal and professional life.
Phil Benton
Phil is a Partner in a global consultancy, advising large organisations and governments on using technology to achieve their goals. He brings extensive experience of leading organisations through complex change, together with charity governance experience and a strong belief that organisations work best when they put people at the centre.
Sally Warren
Co-Chairperson
Sally Warren is Co-Chairperson of the Thera Trust board, alongside Michelle McDermott.
Matthew Smith
Group Executive Director - Lived Experience and Engagement
In his role, Matthew supports people with a lived experience to have a voice to ensure we lead the future together. Matthew brings both his personal and professional experience of a learning disability to the role.
Ceri Lennon
Group Executive Director - People and Culture
In her role as Group Executive Director - People and Culture at Thera, Ceri focuses on empowering people we employ and support through leadership development, ensuring we have the right culture and live by our values.
Elizabeth Lichten
Non-Executive Director
Elizabeth is founder of Pink Mingo marketing.
Katie Winn
Group Executive Director - Development, Lived Experience and Engagement
In her role as Group Executive Director – Development, Lived Experience and Engagement, Katie co-works with Matthew Smith and leads development opportunities to support more people to live and lead a great life.
Lorna Weston
Chief Executive
As Chief Executive, Lorna leads Thera’s strategy and overall performance, working alongside people with lived experience, the Group Executive Team, senior leaders and colleagues to achieve Thera’s vision of an inclusive society where people with learning disabilities are empowered to lead and live great lives.
Marc Berryman
Non-Executive Director
Marc is a non-executive director at Thera Trust. Marc is a Fellow Chartered Accountant, Business Financial Professional and Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment.
Nicola Coote
Non-Executive Director
Nicola is founder and Deputy CEO of PHSC plc which specialises in safety, management systems and security. She has a background in occupational safety and risk, environmental management, and is a Registered Expert Witness.
Sarah Cast
Group Operations Director
In her role as Group Operations Director, Sarah leads on managing group resources and developing operational strategies to manage risk and improve quality through person first support.
Steve Folkard
Non-Executive Director
Steve is a non-executive director at Thera Trust. Steve brings 38 years of Financial Sector experience to the Thera Trust Board and is a member of the Audit and Risk Committee.
Steven Whalley
Non-Executive Director
Steven is a non-executive director at Thera Trust. Steven worked in Financial Services for over 40 years, mainly for large life, pensions and investments companies like AEGON, Prudential and Standards Life. In these companies he has worked in Marketing and Risk roles.