Who We Are

Our People

Our Team

Jill Douglas, CEO

About

Jill Douglas is CEO of My Name’5 Doddie Foundation and manages the day to day activity of the charity, working closely with trustees. Jill is also a respected sports broadcaster.

Why I work for the Foundation

I've been involved with the Foundation since its inception in 2017. As a close friend of Doddie, Kathy and their family, I saw the impact of his diagnosis with motor neuron disease.

But I was also inspired by Doddie's determination to make a difference and give people with MND some hope. We try to use his positivity and energy while staying true to our vision, never forgetting to approach all we do with fun, love and hope.

Nicola Roseman, Financial Director

About

Nicola Roseman is the Foundation’s CFO. She is ACCA and CIPD qualified with extensive global experience.  Nicola is responsible for all matters financial relating to the Foundation as well as liaising with Auditors, Bankers, Investment Managers and HMRC.

Why I work for the Foundation

It’s an organisation that strives to make a difference in MND research to find effective treatments and Doddie is part of the fabric of the Scottish Rugby community that I admire.

Jessica Lee, Director of Research

About

Jess is the Foundation's Research Director. She is responsible for driving the Foundation’s research activities forward. Jess has previously established and led international research programmes, working with patients, academia, industry and clinical teams to accelerate medicines discovery in areas of patient need.

Why I work for the Foundation

I've had the pleasure of working with the Foundation and the wider MND community for a number of years. There is currently an incredible momentum in MND research. I look forward to working with experts in the field and building on this progress through the delivery of high quality research programmes, to accelerate our vision of a world free from MND.

Paul Thompson, Director of Fundraising and Communications

About

Paul Thompson is the Foundation’s Director of  Fundraising and Communications. He is responsible for delivering the income needed to continue and grow our research and support programmes. Paul has twenty years’ experience in a range of fundraising roles at National UK health charities.

Why I work for the Foundation

I came to work for My Name'5 Doddie Foundation because I think this is absolutely winnable. MND can be overcome with sustained focus, and I want to be part of that.

Sean McGrath, Medical Strategy Lead

About

Sean McGrath is the Foundation’s Medical Strategy Lead. He is a management consultant with a background in healthcare and general management. Sean has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the cancer and rare diseases environment, built over almost thirty years.

Why I work for the Foundation

It’s an honour and a privilege to work for such a worthy cause. Since being asked by Doddie 5 years ago, it’s been a passionate endeavour and one that is very close to my heart. We will prevail.

Olivia Bird, Research Programme Manager

About

Olivia is the Foundation’s Research Programme Manager. She manages applications for funding, peer review and monitors the progress of our research projects. Olivia is knowledgeable about medical research having gained her PhD in pharmacology and has a wealth of experience in clinical trial coordination and medical communications.

Why I work for the Foundation

I work for My Name’5 Doddie Foundation because every day is a new opportunity to move closer to a breakthrough in MND.

Rachel Sharp, Fundraising Manager

About

Rachel is the Foundation's Fundraising Manager. She looks after all the wonderful supporters and fundraisers who get in touch to help raise vital awareness and funds towards fighting MND. Rachel has previous experience working with national charities and delivering fundraising and knowledge sharing events across the UK.

Why I work for the Foundation

My dad lost his father to MND in 1977, since then nothing has really changed. Doddie and the foundation have given MND patients hope, and I am proud to be part of the team working to achieve a world free of MND.

Mia Noquet, Community and Volunteer Fundraiser

About

Mia is the Foundation's Community and Volunteer Fundraiser. She works closely with those looking to fundraise and support the Foundation as well as managing our new volunteer program. Mia has a degree in Government, Policy and Society, and has built fundraising experience through various volunteer placements.

Why I work for the Foundation

I work for the Foundation because I recognise that the charity’s unique focus on MND research is what will take us each step closer towards, one day, finding a cure. I am passionate about what we do and the family feel Doddie created amongst the team and community we have around us is something quite special. 

Trustees

Scott HastingsScott is Scotland’s most capped rugby centre three quarter with 65 caps. He played in 51 Internationals with his brother Gavin and they are the only brothers to have played on two British Lions Tours to Australia in 1989 and to New Zealand in 1993. In 2015 he commentated at his 5th Rugby World Cup with ITV having played in the first three RWC tournaments in 1987, 1991 & 1995. Scott continues to commentate for BBC Alba, Sky Sports and with ITV during the Six Nations.. He is married to Jenny. They have two children, Corey and Kerry-Anne. When his is not commentating on rugby he likes running, golf and bog snorkeling!

John Jeffrey played 40 times for Scotland as an industrious and robust flanker in an international career that spanned eight seasons from 1984 until 1991. In that time, the Kelso farmer scored 11 tries for his country and was part of the Grand Slam-winning team of 1990 as well as the 1989 British and Irish Lions squad. Since retiring from playing the game, Jeffrey has remained involved in the game, first as a coach and radio commentator and then in administration where he has held committee positions at club, country and latterly at World Rugby level. He is currently chairman of the Rugby Committee as well as chairman of the Laws Review Group and is also a representative of the Scottish Rugby Union on World Rugby Council. John continues to run the family farm near Kelso where he lives with his wife and two daughters and regularly makes it down to Poynder Park to support his old club.

Kathy WeirKathy and Doddie were married in 1997 after he popped the question when they stopped at the Carter Bar, the Borders crossing, after a night out. They have three sons, Hamish, Angus and Ben, and live in the Borders on their farm between Lauder and Melrose. Kathy manages to balance looking after the livestock, her horses, the boys, working with an outside catering company while trying to keep Doddie on the straight and narrow! Kathy hails from Bellingham near Hexham where her family has built a successful drainage company…and while Doddie may say it was the lure of professional rugby that led to his move into North Northumberland, we know better!

Stewart WeirStewart Weir is a media and PR consultant, who as an award-winning journalist, was a staff writer with the Evening Times, former chief sportswriter with the Scottish Mirror, and formerly head of sport for the Herald & Times group. A trustee of the Foundation from the outset, in May 2018, Stewart embarked on co-writing Doddie’s best-selling autobiography ‘My Name’5 Doddie,’ completing the book, from the first interview to release, in just five months. Asked at a book festival how difficult writing the book with Doddie was, Stewart replied; “I’d place it just behind bomb disposal and juggling chainsaws.”

Dr Annabel HowellAnnabel trained at the Royal Free Hospital and has enjoyed a variety of medical roles including director level appointments in primary and secondary care as well as clinical governance. As a palliative care specialist and previously as a GP, she has looked after many people with MND, ensuring they receive high quality person-centred care and was involved in the successful fundraising for the purpose-built palliative care unit in the Borders. Annabel also is Chair of the Scottish Partnership for Palliative Care. Her sport was rowing and she still sits on the British Rowing Medical Advisory Panel and supported the GB Rowing Team in training and competition prior to the Beijing Olympics. She lives in the Scottish Borders with her husband Julian and family.

Matt CooperMatt has been involved in clinical research for over 20 years in industry, academia and the NHS, including time at AstraZeneca, Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the National Cancer Research Network and as an Exec Director of the NIHR Clinical Research Network. He is currently Therapeutic Strategy Lead at Worldwide Clinical Trials. He lives in North Yorkshire, enjoys running in the countryside with his English Pointer and coaches U18 girls rugby at West Park Leeds. 

Stuart is a Chartered Accountant who spent more than 20 years in investment management.  He has served on the boards of several companies and charities.  Stuart played schoolboy rugby with Doddie and they toured New Zealand together with the Scottish Schools team in 1988.

Ian WattIan is CEO of Fosroc International Ltd the sponsors of Fosroc super 6 and the Scottish under 20s rugby academies which he was instrumental in setting up, with a vision to helping young players contribute to Scotland’s rugby.  He has a passion for rugby where he was introduced to Doddie and they became firm friends. He is married and enjoys time with family, skiing and fitness.

Sign up to our email newsletters

Follow us on