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Board of Trustees

Lyn Mynott, Chief Executive Officer

Lyn Mynott founded Thyroid UK and is Chief Executive Officer. Lyn has worked as a secretary to solicitors and probation officers in her early working life and after her first child was born, she became a bank manager’s secretary.  Prior to being diagnosed with hypothyroidism, she trained to become an English teacher, teaching both adults and children from all over the world and English grammar to UK adult students and their children in local schools.

Sara Parker, Chair

Sara Parker specialises in excellence in business leadership, behaviours and information. She is the UK Partner at CMi in London providing mentoring to business leaders, a consultant at BoardClic, the leading provider of digital Board evaluations, and at Board Intelligence, the leading specialist in enabling better decision-making in the Boardroom.

Prior to this Sara spent nine years at the CBI, the UK’s premier business lobbying organisation, where she held a number of roles, most latterly as the Chief Membership Director and member of the ExCo. In this role, she was responsible for all of the CBI’s relationships with member companies throughout the UK regions and devolved nations. She also had responsibility for engaging directly with leaders of businesses of all sectors and sizes throughout the UK, growing CBI’s membership into new sectors and speaking at major business events.

Sara studied History at Cambridge University and also holds a diploma in Economics from Birkbeck University.

“The treatment and information for people suffering from thyroid disorders is currently woefully inadequate. Thyroid UK is doing great work to try to improve this situation and I am passionate about using my background in lobbying and campaigning to help achieve real change on behalf of patients across the UK”.

Lydia Bailey

Lydia Bailey specialises in risk, regulation and governance, and runs her own advisory company Metidian Limited.

Lydia started her career at the Bank of England where she carried out a range of roles including working in the Bank of England dealing room.  She then became a risk specialist for the UK regulator (Bank of England / FSA) carrying out supervisory risk reviews at major firms.  Following a move to the private sector, she became Head of Compliance (UK and Europe) at BP, then Head of Regulatory Management / Internal Governance (EMEA) at JPMorgan.  She established an advisory company in 2017.

“Thyroid conditions are often under-diagnosed or treated over-simplistically.  I want to use my background in risk management and governance to help Thyroid UK achieve its objectives and to help others.”

Jo Coulson

.Jo Coulson has over 39 years of working in Audit, Operations and Technology governance in large Financial Services companies, with a primary focus on project management, data governance and change.

Jo worked at TSB, and then JPMorgan, for 28 years, in a number of roles including managing global teams.  As part of a large site management committee, she sponsored the networking groups that promoted a number of diversity initiatives, including well-woman clinics.

Jo also worked at Standard Chartered and Citigroup, living in Singapore and New York, where she experienced different medical approaches to the diagnosis and management of hypothyroid issues.  Jo’s final role was back in the UK, working as an Audit Director for Lloyds Banking Group.  At Lloyds, she continued to support employee networking groups and worked with charities.

Jo took early retirement in early 2019, with the intention of spending more time actively supporting charities and giving something back to the community.

“Having a family who experience a number of thyroid conditions, I know how difficult it is to get a diagnosis and appropriate medication.  In the past, I have benefitted from the support and guidance provided by Thyroid UK and want to use my experience in audit, governance and technology, to help further increase Thyroid UK’s ability to lobby for, and support, others.”

Carlo Castellana

Carlo Castellana specialises in finance, risk management and health care. Through his investment banking career at a first-class financial institution, Carlo has become familiar with capital markets, initially structuring transactions and advising clients, currently in his role as Controller where he is responsible for supervising revenues recognition and balance-sheet valuation across multiple global businesses. By managing a team across different jurisdictions he has contributed to the strategic development of the business both from a commercial and control perspective.

Carlo is also a medical doctor. Despite not currently practising, through his medical studies and his qualification for practising medicine and surgery in Italy, he has gained experience on health care delivery. He has authored various monographs and research articles in the fields of internal medicine and healthcare management.

He is a CFA charter holder and member of the UK CFA Society and the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments.  He graduated in Physics from Scuola Normale Superiore di Pisa (Italy), Engineering from the University of Trieste (Italy) and Medicine and Surgery from the University of Bari (Italy), magna cum laude.

“With a 2% prevalence of hypothyroidism in the UK and 0.5% of thyrotoxicosis , thyroid diseases are among the most prevalent of medical conditions. For such people with thyroid disorders, Thyroid UK provides invaluable information and resources to promote effective diagnosis and appropriate treatment and I am pleased to bring my financial and medical experience to advance its cause.”

Light Onyekachi

Light is a highly accomplished biomedical scientist with over 7 years of experience in the field. Throughout his career, Light has focused on the intersection between biology and technology, working to advance cutting-edge research and improve healthcare outcomes for patients. In addition to his work as a scientist, Light is also an experienced operational manager, having led teams of biomedical scientists and technicians in the design and execution of complex projects.
His leadership skills have been recognized by his peers, and he has been invited to serve on the board of trustees for several prominent organisations.
Currently, Light serves as the Vice Chair for Thyroid UK, a leading patient advocacy group dedicated to improving the lives of people living with thyroid conditions. In this role, he works closely with patients, healthcare providers, and policymakers to raise awareness of thyroid disorders and improve access to care. Light holds a Master's degree in Public Health, with a focus on epidemiology and biostatistics. He has also earned a Master of Business Administration, which has given him a deep understanding of the business side of healthcare and enabled him to develop effective strategies for managing resources and driving organisational growth. With his extensive experience, expertise, and passion for healthcare, Light is a highly respected leader in the biomedical community and a tireless advocate for patients everywhere.

Ania Swirski

Ania Swirski became a Trustee in February 2023. She is a strategic communications and public policy professional with a background in healthcare. Ania currently works in consulting and has over fifteen years’ experience in devising and leading communications and lobbying campaigns for a range of organisations including trade associations, charities, corporates, and research institutes. She has first-hand experience of thyroid related disorders and is particularly passionate about the power of influencing to improve treatment, care and support. Outside of work she is an accomplished musician and volunteers for CPRE London as a policy advisor. She lives in Surrey with her family and enjoys the many walks the Surrey Hills have to offer. Ania is excited to bring her patient and professional experience to the Board and to Thyroid UK and help achieve its vision.

Gaurika Kapoor

Having worked in the NHS for over 15 years, Gaurika has a good understanding of how important it is to receive a timely diagnosis and appropriate support. She is keen to use her experience and skills from a career in healthcare management and clinical research to support Thyroid UK's objectives.

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