Trustees
Andrew
Andrew Parsons is a Systems Engineer and currently a Chief Technology Officer in the Financial Services sector. Andy joined the Board of Trustees at DEMAND in 2022.
He has worked in a variety of commercial sectors and technology disciplines, with a background in Electrical & Mechanical Engineering earlier in his career in the Armed Forces working in precision engineering areas before moving into the Financial Services sector with responsibility for designing, building and running investment banking and retail payment systems across the globe.
His first ever role in the charity sector was as a Board advisor to a Homeless charity in Manchester helping the Board establish a transformational strategy to scale up and modernise, he has, like many people these days spent many hours volunteering and helping to raise funding and profiles for the charity sector, in particular mud runs, carrying people up mountains as well as local fun runs. His first experience of DEMAND was working with ’The Collett School’ who use the Sensory Shell Chair.
Andrew lives in Berkhamsted, is married and a parent to twins. An avid outdoors sportsmen, he is happiest out running in the rain.
“I’m thrilled to be part of DEMAND, I’ve seen for myself the huge difference they make and the positive impact they have to help disabled people get more out of life.”
John
Katherine
Katherine joined DEMAND as a Trustee in January 2012. An engineer by training, Katherine has an undergraduate degree from the University of Cambridge, and completed the Advanced Course in Design Manufacturing and Management (University of Cambridge).
Katherine is currently Chief Talent Officer at global executive search consulting firm Spencer Stuart. She moved into HR from management consulting focused primarily on R&D in health care, working with big pharma, biotech and the international nonprofit drug development industry.
Throughout her career Katherine has lived and worked all over the world and brings a wealth of international business experience to the table, helping DEMAND plan effectively for the future.
Neil
Neil is the senior leader of Bethany Community Church, Harpenden where he has been working full-time since 2005. Born with a form of muscular dystrophy, Neil is passionate advocate for disability rights and inclusion on every level of society. He loves the work of DEMAND and has experienced first-hand its ability to help those who need specialist equipment as they have adapted his walking frame to become more efficient and robust.
Neil is married to Sonya and has a son and a daughter, both in their late teens. He loves to go to concerts, watch movies, do pub quizzes and tell terrible Dad jokes!
Tom
Tom re-joined our team of Trustees in 2011. With precision engineering close to his heart Tom can often be found casting an experienced eye over our projects and processes. An accomplished cook with his own catering business he makes sure Board meetings are fuelled on home-baked treats.
‘My first experience of DEMAND was at an open day, when DEMAND was based in 2 porta-cabins. I was impressed with the quality and variation of equipment they were designing and producing for their clients.’
‘My life in engineering was extremely stimulating, and after 20-odd years as a Trustee, I am still very excited by what we create, the new technologies that we are using, and where we are now heading. I will always be keeping an eye on the quality of design and build of all our products.’
Vic
Victoria Lyons; Senior Consultant Admiral Nurse, RMN, MSc, joined the Board of Trustees at DEMAND in 2021.
Holding a Masters in Health Care leadership and a Clore Social Leadership Fellowship. Victoria has worked in the Dementia field for over 20 years and is passionate about the rights and needs of carers, and people living with dementia. She has represented both via her role at Dementia UK, through influencing and writing policy at parliamentary level, and at many national and international conferences.
A recognised innovator, Victoria has, for the past 18 years, been setting up and developing Admiral Nurse Teams across the UK as well as constantly looking for new ways to reach and support people in need. In 2021 she was one of the first to realise the potential of Twitter Spaces in the Charity Sector, and now hosts a monthly live social audio space on Twitter discussing Dementia.
Her first ever role in the charity sector was as a volunteer for Mencap (a charity her Father dedicated his life to) and she maintains a special interest in learning disability alongside dementia care, pain identification and reduction, reaching underserved people, and carers rights.
A mother and dog owner, Victoria is happiest out walking her dog and children, and thinking.