Our Trustees and Expert Advisory Panel
Albert Ferro, Chair
Is a Consultant Physician at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals in London where Albert runs a hypertension clinic, and is Professor of Cardiovascular Clinical Pharmacology at King’s College London. Albert’s research and clinical practice have focussed on both the prevention and treatment of heart disease. He is also currently Associate Medical Director of Written Examinations for MRCP(UK) and Chair of the South East London Integrated Medicines Optimisation Committee. In January 2023 Albert was appointed Chair of the Healthy Heart Charity. He is on the Editorial Boards of several medical and cardiovascular scientific journals, is Editorial Board Chair of Medicine, and Editor in Chief of JRSM Cardiovascular Disease.
Mehul Nathwani
Is Chief Transformation Officer in the Financial Services Technology industry, and is a Non Executive Director in Social Enterprise and the Third Sector. Mehul is experienced in leading Business and Technology transformations in highly regulated environments, and in introducing innovation into traditional businesses. Mehul is particularly interested in bringing together medical professionals and the general public in conversations around the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Bernard Cheung
Is the Biotechnology Director of the Innovation and Technology Commission, Hong Kong SAR. Previously, Bernard was the Sun Chieh Yeh Heart Foundation Professor in Cardiovascular Therapeutics at the University of Hong Kong. He graduated from the University of Cambridge and was a British Heart Foundation Junior Research Fellow at Cambridge before taking up lectureships in Sheffield and Hong Kong. In 2007-2009, he held the chair in Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics in Birmingham. Bernard heads the Division of Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics in the Department of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong. He is an Honorary Consultant Physician of Queen Mary Hospital and the Medical Director of the Phase 1 Clinical Trials Centre. Bernard is the Editor-in-Chief of Postgraduate Medical Journal.
Jas Sethi
Is a digital transformation and innovation leader with 20 years experience in the Energy and Financial Services sectors. Jas has led large scale and complex technology, data and business change and transformation programmes. She is an enthusiastic mentor with a passion for personal and professional development. Jas has a particular interest in the relationship between stress and heart health and ways in which this can be managed for a healthier, more balanced life.
Dr Kritika Kalia
Is a medical doctor with a keen interest in medical education and cardiovascular disease. Kritika is experienced in simulation teaching, in a recent role as Clinical Teaching Fellow at Great Ormond Street and through her work as an instructor with the Resuscitation Council UK (RCUK) Advanced Life Support (ALS). Kritika has been active in cardiovascular research, conducting a pilot study aiming to improve early detection of atrial fibrillation using handheld cardiac monitoring in at risk-populations.
Naomi Stetson
Trained as a nurse at UCLH, with training at the Universities of Glasgow and Hertfordshire. Naomi developed an interest in cardiovascular disease over 25 years ago while setting up a new Hypertension Service at the Royal Free Hospital. She has recently retired as Lead Nurse at Peart Rose Clinic, part of Imperial College Healthcare Trust, and continues to take an active part in the Nurses and Allied Professionals Working Party of the British and Irish Hypertension Society. Naomi has been a Trustee for the British and Irish Hypertension Society and POTS UK.
Parv Gidday
Is a seasoned financial executive, and fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and member of the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants (CIMA), serving as the senior finance leader at prominent multinationals in a corporate setting. With a background in accounting practices, strategic financial planning, and optimising fiscal performance, Parv holds the role of Chief Financial Officer Emeritus for the Healthy Heart Trust. Parv has a passion for supporting the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Verity Algar
Is a civil servant at the Department of Health and Social Care where Verity has led policy development and communications in a range of high-profile areas. Verity has an MBA and is studying for an MSc in Health Policy at Imperial College London. Before becoming a civil servant, Verity taught English in secondary schools in Birmingham and London, and is a former trustee of a special school. Verity is interested in how urban planning can aid the prevention of cardiovascular disease.
Carlo Digrandi
Spent over 25 years as a sell side financial analyst and portfolio manager. In 2021, Carlo founded an asset management boutique managing family offices and private individual assets. Carlo spent over 17 years at HSBC as a Global Head of Financial Research directly covering European banks and industry themes as well as managing a team of 25 analysts world-wide. He advised ECM, senior bankers, senior management, companies and central banks on restructuring opportunities, M&A, balance sheet restructuring and various industry themes. He was later responsible for coordinating marketing and new business development across various regions including Europe and the US.
Professor James Clark
Is a research scientist who has investigated the mechanisms which underpin heart disease for almost 30 years. As a young research scientist James was introduced to undergraduate teaching, which has now become the driving force of his personal and professional development. James contributes to multiple research programmes in the UK and abroad, and his current role at King’s College London allows him to focus on making a positive contribution to the student journey and leading on education initiatives, outreach projects and communicating science to a wide audience.
David Goldsmith
Is Chief Medical Officer of a MedTech startup in the UK. Previously David was a Consultant Nephrologist (1998-2017) at Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals, and occupied a number of honorary academic positions (including Cardio-Renal medicine) in London between 2010 and 2020. David is also Trustee of the Anglo-Swedish Society. His interests include digital photography, classical music, 17th to 21st century, history, peoples and culture of the Nordic region, malt whisky, and Artificial Intelligence.
Sarah Morecombe
Is an award-winning marketing communications specialist, with over 20 years’ multi-channel experience. Sarah is experienced in managing campaigns and strategic PR activity for a range of stakeholder groups. These include strategic campaign development, in conjunction with the Department of Health and for the NHS England Strategy Team, managing and developing communications to support the NHS Long Term Plan objectives relating to environmental sustainability.
Kieran Seale (Advisory Panel)
Is an independent management consultant specialising in investigations, governance and strategy. Kieran has worked in governance roles in the NHS and in the transport sector. He is the author of many in-depth investigation reports, policies and strategies for public sector and private sector organisations. Kieran is Company Secretary of the Transport Planning Society (the professional body for transport planners) and is particularly interested in the interface between transport policy and health.
Rachita Mallya (Advisory Panel)
Is a Registrar in General Surgery. Rachita is winner of the Darzi Clinical Research Fellowship and doctoral candidate at Imperial College London’s Institute of Global Health Innovation, exploring the role of Artificial Intelligence in Mammography and Surgery.
Nicola Pateman (Advisory Panel)
A qualified journalist, Nicky has spent the bulk of her career working in executive search helping FTSE 350 and private businesses to identify and appoint their senior leadership teams, focusing in particular on main board C-suite and non-executive appointments. Nicky is also studying for an MSc in International Relations at Birkbeck. Nicky is a firm believer in the health benefits of diet and exercise and is keen to help demonstrate that healthy heart habits can be fun rather than a chore.
Arshan Soonawalla (Advisory P.)
Is an Executive Director and Head of Private Equity and Real Estate Sales within the Investment Banking Division at Goldman Sachs. Prior this Arshan was with J.P. Morgan in their Treasury Sales division.
