ION Team Page quick-linksBoard of Trustees | Senior management | Academic faculty | Optimum Nutrition clinic Board of Trustees The board of trustees are responsible for the governance and strategic direction of ION and upholding its value and ethos. Rachel Hampson MA (Cantab) Medicine, MSc Personalised Nutrition, mBANT, CNHC Chair of the Board of Trustees Rachel is a Registered Nutritional Therapist with a practice called Rachel Hampson Nutrition based in London. She has a Masters degree in Personalised Nutrition and a background in Medicine. Prior to qualifying as a nutritional therapist, Rachel was a Business Strategy Consultant with Bain & Company, working both from London and from San Francisco, in a variety of business sectors from food retailing, venture capital to utilities. She has also been involved in the charitable sector for 20 years in various voluntary roles, originally for CHASE hospice care for children, which, following a successful merger, is now Shooting Star CHASE. She also set up and ran a successful restaurant in Central London for 11 years, which was sold in 2014. Rachel joined the ION Board as Trustee and Vice-Chair in July 2016 and was elevated to Chair in January 2022. Anita Wyles BA (Hons), FCMA Treasurer Anita is an Accountant with over 20 years experience working primarily within the media industry. She started her career at Channel 4 while it was still in its infancy and left BBC Worldwide 8 years ago to pursue a lifelong ambition to paint. During her time at BBC Worldwide, Anita worked within the finance function for 10 years before making the successful transition to general management becoming Commercial Director of Europe, Middle East, India & Africa. She managed a large team responsible for exploiting the commercial potential of cross media product produced both in house and by Independents. As well as painting and providing local accounting services, Anita is a regular coach and mentor in her neighbourhood schools & colleges. Anita joined the ION Board of Trustees in February 2014. Dian Shepperson Mills CertEd, BSc, BA, DipION, MA Health Education Trustee Dian is the Director of The Endometriosis and Fertility Clinic and author of the book "Endometriosis: a key to Healing and Fertility through Nutrition" published by Thorsons. She has lectured worldwide to health professionals and the public about the role of sound nutrition in the treatment of endometriosis and infertility. Dian is a Member of BANT (British Association of Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy); CNHC (Complementary and Natural Healthcare Council); Member of the Royal Society of Medicine; Member of the American Society for Reproductive Medicine and Chairs their Nutrition Special Interest Group; Member of ESHRE (European Society for Human Reproduction and Embryology); A Trustee of Endometriosis SHE Trust UK, the leading Charity working with Integrated Functional Medicine, encouraging hospitals to work towards the ESHRE guidelines for the specialist treatment of endometriosis, and is a Trsutee of ION. She authored the ION Home Study Course. Dian has spent her life teaching nutrition and researching the various aspects of endometriosis and the effects of nutrition on fertility and has presented research at world conferences. Dian joined the ION Board of Trustees in 1999. Sue Hillman BA (Hons), DipCG, DipHR Management Trustee Sue spent 18 years at the BBC in the HR function, starting as a trainee and leaving in 2008 as Head of HR for Production. She has extensive experience of working with senior managers and advising on the change processes for setting up new areas and reducing existing ones, as well as the effective management of large departments. She worked across many areas of the BBC from News to World Service to Post Production, working mostly with creative staff. Prior to this she worked in the Essex Careers Service which provided support for school leavers as an Adviser, Service Manager and latterly as the County Trainer. Currently she is working in tourism having set up her own company ‘It’s Your London’ which designs and organises tailor made tours of London for small private groups. She is also involved in charity work, abroad and in the UK. This includes building schools in the rural areas across a wide variety of countries in Africa and volunteering at Citizens Advice in Westminster. Sue joined the ION Board of Trustees in January 2012 to bring external expertise in the field of HR and an interest in the field of nutrition. Jo Bridger BSc (Hons), PgDip Marketing, DipION Trustee Before qualifying as a Nutritional Therapist, Jo spent 15 years as Head of Marketing, responsible for marketing and communications within a niche financial services company, a legal services firm and then latterly for an IT services provider to the Higher and Further Education sector. She came to marketing via international sales, graduating top of her year from the Chartered Instituted of Marketing with a post-graduate diploma in Marketing. This achievement was recognised by a medal award by the Worshipful Company of Marketers. Jo became interested in nutrition after successful breast cancer treatment aged 40. She studied at ION, graduating in 2018 and is now a Registered Nutritional Therapist running her own clinic in Bath, providing health and wellness training for corporates and developing nutrition content for a project at the Royal United Hospital in Bath. She also helps to run We Get It, the cancer support charity for Bath and has a special interest in cancer and nutrition. Jo joined the board of ION in February 2019. Laksh Ranganathan BEngg (Electronics), BTech (Computer Systems), MBA Trustee A technology professional with over 19 years specializing in the development of IT products, Laksh has supported global organizations in industries like financial services, retail, automotive, health and education. Laksh's particular focus has been to utilize insights from data to develop customer-centric products and regularly writes about and speaks at conferences on leveraging metrics to bridge the gap between IT and business. Currently, Laksh leads the product operations function within Tasktop facilitating decisions and operations around governance, compliance, product program management and product analytics. Laksh briefly worked at ION in 2010 through a partnership with the LSBU with specific responsibilities to drive ION's digital transformation. The tenure at ION made a significant impression on Laksh; she continued to follow ION's progress over the years and was thrilled at the opportunity to support ION's board in 2019. Laksh joined ION's board in Jan 2019 as an advisor and in Jan 2020 as a Trustee. Senior management The executive team are responsible for leading the operational and academic staff who are dedicated to the day to day running of the organisation. Chris Mansi BA (Hons) PGDip Chief Executive Officer Chris has over 25 years experience of working in the voluntary sector. Chris brings a wealth of experience of building and developing organisations. As an Ambassador for Excellence her goal is to improve organisational effectiveness. In her previous role as CEO of Community Options (mental health charity), Chris lead the organisation to achieve a number of awards for people involvement and development (IiP Silver, London Excellence), leadership (London Excellence) and Sunday Times 100 Best Not for Profit organisations to work for (33). Heather Rosa DipION fBANT fHEA Dean Heather Rosa became Dean of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in October 2014. She is passionate about standards of education in nutritional therapy. With her she brings 15 years of experience as a Course Leader and Principal Lecturer in higher education. At the University of Westminster lead the first degree in Nutritional Therapy. Key additional roles included research supervision, working to embed academic integrity, leading learning and teaching, and quality enhancement. Heather is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Heather has a thirty year association with ION as it is where she trained as a nutritional therapist. At that time the ION diploma was revolutionary… the first course of its kind in a Complementary Medicine approach to nutrition. Now this approach is quite familiar to the public, in newspapers, magazines and on television. Heather was involved in the setting of National Occupational Standards, the Nutritional Therapy Core Curriculum and its review. For services to nutritional therapy education and standards she was awarded Fellowship of the professional body BANT. Heather is also an external examiner, accreditation officer, and education advisor to the professional body and other education organisations. Rowena Wells BA (Hons) ACA Finance Manager Rowena is a Chartered Accountant with over 20 years experience of financial management within the not-for-profit sector. Having qualified in 1987, she worked as an auditor at Stoy Hayward before moving to the not-for-profit sector. She was Director of Finance and Administration at the Chartered Institute for Library and Information Professionals for 11 years. Rowena joined ION as Finance Manager in 2014. Academic faculty Our passionate, highly experienced academic team provide an exceptional student learning experience, and ongoing course support. Heather Rosa DipION, fBANT, fHEA Dean Heather Rosa became Dean of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in October 2014. She is passionate about standards of education in nutritional therapy. With her she brings 15 years of experience as a Course Leader and Principal Lecturer in higher education. At the University of Westminster, she led the first degree in Nutritional Therapy. Key additional roles included research supervision, working to embed academic integrity, leading learning and teaching, and quality enhancement. Heather is also a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. Heather has a 30-year association with ION as it is where she trained as a nutritional therapist. At that time the ION diploma was revolutionary… the first course of its kind in a Complementary Medicine approach to nutrition. Now this approach is quite familiar to the public, in newspapers, magazines and on television. Heather was involved in the setting of National Occupational Standards, the Nutritional Therapy Core Curriculum and its review. For services to nutritional therapy education and standards she was awarded Fellowship of the professional body BANT. Heather is also an external examiner, accreditation officer, and education advisor to the professional body and other education organisations. Paula Werrett MProf, BA Hons, DipION, mBANT, CNHC, Registered NT Head of Undergraduate Provision Paula has been working as part of the academic team at ION since 2005. Initially employed as a lecturer, tutor and clinical supervisor, she became Head of Diploma Courses in 2013 and is now Head of Undergraduate Provision. Paula is passionate about educating nutritional therapists and providing first class education. An ION trained Nutritional Therapist with over 10 years' clinical experience. Paula has a special interest in digestive health and autoimmunity and runs workshops and corporate sessions in addition to working one to one. Paula has previously worked as a BANT accredited clinical supervisor and is also an assessor for the Nutritional Therapy Education Commission ensuring that educational standards are upheld within the Nutritional Therapy sector. Dr Natascha Van Zyl Prof Doc, MSc, BA (Hons) PGCE, PGDip, rCNHC, CThA, RSM, MBPsS Assistant Head of Undergraduate Courses, level 6 leader; GDip Integrative Functional Nutrition lead; and Behaviour Change module coordinator Natascha has over 25 years of experience in academia, including course delivery and design, staff mentoring and supervision, leadership and management, and developing educational collaborations across the medical and education sectors. She is an active researcher with interests in integrative psychobiological medicine and health promotion and supervises research projects at ION. Natascha is passionate about supporting learners and helping them achieve their academic and career aspirations. Before joining ION, she worked in the medical sector and has experience working across the NHS and CAM. Outside academia, she is a health psychologist (registered in 2022) and naturopath, running her private practice, established in 1995. She also offers supervision for CAM, Medical and Allied healthcare professionals and has a thriving professional life. Sally Lawson MSc, MSc, BSc Hons, PGCert HE Academic Support Tutor Sally joined ION in 2017 after a varied career within government, charity, business and education sectors. The consistent theme across careers in business psychology, mental health and as a Senior University Lecturer is facilitating adults to learn and grow. Sally’s role with ION draws on her academic and research experience, both as a student at Masters level in three London Universities, and as a Senior Lecturer supervising Masters students. Supporting students and staff also draws on her counselling and coaching experience and qualifications. Sally is keen to ensure students maximise their learning, combining academic and research rigour with discovering a joy for learning. Sally completed a Post Graduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education in 2017 and now enjoys mentoring ION staff pursuing Higher Education qualifications. Emma Ellenn MProf, BA Hons, FdSc, DipION, mBANT, CNHCreg, Registered NT Assistant Head of Undergraduate Provision Emma is a qualified nutritional therapist with more than 10 years clinical and teaching experience. She also has a Master's degree in reflective practice. As well as overseeing level five of the BSc program, she currently leads Training Clinic and the associated clinical practice module. Emma runs a private practice for clients with a wide range of health conditions, and most commonly works with weight loss and digestive issues. Emma served as a Profession Specific Board Member of the CNHC for six years and currently is an accreditation assessor for NTEC. Katie Clare BSc Hons, DipCNM, mBANT CNHCreg Module Coordinator Katie Clare has been a Registered Nutrition Practitioner since 2012. She is currently completing an MSc in Nutritional Medicine at the University of Surrey. At ION, Katie carefully attends to two of the ‘matrix’ modules structured into level 4, providing students with the required underpinning knowledge in physiology, biochemistry and nutritional compounds. The module ‘Modulation of detoxification and gastrointestinal function (Detox & GI)’ covers digestion, microbiota, mucosal immunity, gut-brain axis and more, whereas ‘Modulation of neuroendocrine function (Neuroendocrine)’ covers endocrinology, neurology, cell communication and signalling, stress and sleep. Katie’s two modules accompany students right through their first year and she works closely with academic support and academic administration to tend to the induction process. Prior to working at ION, Katie ran her own practice and worked for a health foods start-up, ‘inSpiral’, the original UK manufacturer of organic air-dried kale crisps, raw chocolate avocado mousse and raw nut & seed crackers. She also supported them to launch their London plant-based café, back in 2007 before the healthy fast-food scene had really kicked off in the city. Before ‘live’ fermented vegetables were easily available to purchase, Katie ran workshops on food fermentation and digestive health for the College of Naturopathic Medicine (CNM). another nutritional therapy education provider. While studying nutrition, she worked for the NHS: Blood and Transport in the clinical role of a Blood Donor Carer and appreciates the insights into the NHS that role provided. Optimum Nutrition Clinic Our fully qualified, registered nutritional therapy practitioners offer consultations and appointments to the public. They are supported by the Clinic Administration team and Head of Clinics. Meet our clinic team here. Emma Ellenn BA Hons, FdSc, DipION, mBANT, CNHCreg, Registered NT Training Clinic Lead Registered Nutritional Therapist Emma Rees is a qualified Nutritional Therapist with just under 10 years clinical experience. Emma graduated from ION with distinction and a Foundation Science degree in Nutritional Therapy. Combining this with her teaching qualification, she currently leads the Clinical Practice One and Clinical Practice Two modules. She specialises in clinical skills and reflective practice. Emma is also the Year Two Course Leader. Emma provides consultations in the North Essex/Suffolk area for clients with a wide range of health conditions, and gives talks in her local area. Emma serves as a Profession Specific Board Member of the CNHC. She is currently studying at Master’s level, with focus on research and reflective practice. Ania Mason DipION, mBANT, regCNHC, mIFM Registered Nutritional Therapist Ania helps her clients feel the best they have felt in years by incorporating her scientific knowledge of human body and nutrition, up-to-date research and her coaching skills. Ania graduated from ION in 2018 with a distinction, set up her private on-line clinic, Nutrified in West London, and is also working at our clinic in ION. Ania works with clients with an array of health issues including gastrointestinal and hormonal health as well as with autoimmune conditions. Her special interest in autoimmunity was sparked by her own health journey in her twenties, when diet and lifestyle changes helped her to reverse endometriosis and thyroid disease. Anis is a mum of three teenage girls, and she understands what it’s like to be busy and put your own needs at the bottom of the list. She’s there for each client to make them a priority. Lorraine Perretta Since graduating from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition in 1995, Lorraine has focused her work on supporting people with mental health conditions, using a nutritional approach. The wealth of experience she has accumulated over the years has also led to her being invited to lecture widely on this topic. Lorraine has also written a book entitled Food for Thought (Pyramid) and is also a Fellow of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, as well as a member of BANT and the CNHC. Olga Preston A graduate of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, Olga Preston has over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare industry. She developed an interest in mental health after the effect that good nutrition had on family and friends affected by mental health conditions. She now focuses on using her passion for nutrition to support people with their mental wellbeing.