Our Trustees & Advisors

Our First Trustees

Our launch event on Tuesday 6 October 2015 held at the Middlesbrough Hotel and our First Trustees, Jan Rock (Founder), Ann Dale and Dr Maeve O'Sullivan.

Jan Rock - FOUNDER TRUSTEE & CEO

Jan worked in local government for 22 years, mainly in European and domestic funding programmes aimed at physical, social and economic regeneration, Her skills include: Strategic Planning, Public Sector Administration, Problem Solving, Project Management, Business Case Authoring, Fundraising and Bid Writing. Jan has a degree in Public Service Management, an ILM Post Grad Certificate in Leadership and Management; and is trained to Prince2 Practitioner level.

In 2010 her son had a terrible accident, which opened her eyes to a world of inequality she didn't know existed for children and young people with brain injuries. Post discharge her family experienced first-hand the lack of knowledge, help and support that is available to child brain injury families; so Jan and her husband undertook lots of research and developed an innovative approach to neuro-rehabilitation therapy that delivered significant positive outcomes for their son. This later drove her to found MATRIX Neurological as a registered charity.

She said: "In founding this charity my passion now is to share our experiences to help improve the provision of services for children and young people who have sustained an acquired brain injury (ABI) and support their families to ensure they are able to access the help and support they are entitled to. We are also working to deliver significant improvements to the long term outcomes for these forgotten children and young people; than is currently happening. We are making a significant contribution to that process."

Since founding MATRIX Neurological, Jan has spoken at many conferences and influential people about childhood acquired brain injury. She delivers brain injury awareness training from the 'lived-experience' perspective to a range of professionals and agencies. She also regularly undertakes Continuous Professional Development Training with professionals to keep abreast of new developments and current practice in paediatric neuro-rehabilitation.

In February 2020, Jan was appointed into the Chief Executive role following written approval from the Charity Commission. Jan has remained a Founder Trustee on our Unitary Board and represents operational aspects.

Sara Tweddle - CHAIR

Sara is a highly experienced Project and Programme Manager with a proven track record of success in leading, planning and implementing operational reform and other complex projects, programmes and strategic plans. She has worked at a senior level in high profile roles within the health, social housing and independent sectors. Until recently Sara worked as a key member of the NHS North of England Commissioning Support, New Business Team, where she was Programme Manager for the Cumbria Success Regime and worked with regional Health and Justice Teams. She also delivered special projects for the national Health and Justice Service for Children & Young People.

Sara’s qualifications include: a BA (Honours) Degree in Housing Studies; a CMI Management and Leadership Post Graduate Diploma; PRINCE2 Practitioner; APM Managing Successful Programmes – Practitioner; and achieved The Board Development Agency's Governance Award.

Sara is highly organised, skilled in customer focussed services and has advanced analytical and problem-solving skills. She also has excellent communication skills and she is a skilled influencer and negotiator. Her experience includes stakeholder management and writing and presenting briefings for government ministers.

Sara said about becoming a Trustee,
“I am excited about becoming a Trustee for Matrix Neurological and am looking forward to using my extensive skills and experience, gained while working at a senior level in high profile roles within the health, social housing and independent sectors, for the benefit of the charity.”

We are delighted that Sara has decided to join us with such a highly valuable skillset.

Sarah Jones - TRUSTEE

Sarah is an experienced manager and relationship builder with a strong commitment and integrity to use her extensive skills in developing, coordinating, and implementing services within the VCSE and public sector. Her skills include conflict resolution, negotiation skills and business development initiatives in target-based environments, and enhancing performance though the use of relevant legislation, data analysis and assessing outcomes.

I first met Matrix when I started working again within the VCSE and thought the opportunities and support they provide are brilliant. I hadn’t heard of them beforehand, but I wished this service was available to me and my family, when my nephew had an acquired brain injury many years ago.

When the role of trustee became available, I was excited to be able to apply and be accepted into the role. The ability to offer support any way I can to provide better outcomes for children and young people with acquired brain injuries and their families makes me feel a part of something that makes a real difference. In her spare time, Sarah loves to be beside the sea, watching the sunset and paddling with her family.

Abi Murtala - TRUSTEE

Abi has a communications background in both in house and agency before moving into the NHS. She has an interest in acquired brain injuries and brings a broad experience of health communications, marketing strategy and team development.

Abi applied to be a Trustee with us because she wishes to use her skills, knowledge and experience to support the continued development and success of Matrix Neurological.

Andrew Buchanan - TRUSTEE

Originally from Glasgow, Andrew moved to Teesside in 1999 to start his career as a geologist and has made the area his home ever since. He is married with three sons and works for 6 Engineering, a safety engineering consultancy based in Stockton-on-Tees.

Andrew has always loved sport and although more often found watching these days, he still plays golf and has been know to take to the cricket field when his local team Skelton Castle are in need of players.

In his early 20’s Andrew suffered a serious head injury while playing rugby and experienced first-hand, the effects and the challenges faced by people with acquired brain injuries as they attempt to recover and continue with their lives.

It is through a combination of this lived experience and through meeting Jan and the team that has inspired Andrew to support Matrix Neurological achieve their vision that all children with acquired brain injuries are able to access rehabilitation support that will maximise individual potential.

Dr Stanley Higgins OBE FRSC - TRUSTEE

After a prize winning apprenticeship in the Nuclear Industry, Stan gained a degree in Chemistry, Technology and Economics from the University of York; where he also achieved a PhD in Organic Chemistry. In industry Stan went on to become Managing Director in Pharmaceutical Fine and Speciality Chemicals. Organisations he helped to lead won 3 Queens Award for Industry for Exporting and Innovative Technology.

Latterly he founded and established the well known industrial collaborative cluster NEPIC across NE England. Helping over 300 companies to identify opportunities across supply chains, attract investment and international trade. For this work he was awarded a European accolade as Europe's best Cluster Manager in 2014, in addition to several accolades from Industry and ultimately achieving National recognition with the award of an OBE.

Stan has held several Executive and Non-Executive Board positions in a number of companies and now brings this organisational experience to help guide Matrix Neurological.