Skip over main navigation
  • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
National Kidney Federation
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
Helpline 0800 169 09 36
Accessibility
    Shop Donate
Menu
  • About us
    • Who we are
    • Contact us
    • Who's Who
    • NKF Strategy
    • Our Impact
    • NKF Job Vacancies
    • Kidney Patient Associations
    • Who we work with
    • Our Industry Partners
    • Policy Statements
    • Ambassadors
  • About kidney disease
    • What is kidney disease?
    • About the kidneys
    • Types of kidney disease
      • Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
      • Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD)
      • Acute Kidney Injury (AKI)
      • Diabetes
      • Anaemia
      • Kidney Pain or Urine Diseases
      • Other Kidney Conditions
    • Treatment for kidney disease
      • Kidney Transplant
      • Haemodialysis
      • Peritoneal Dialysis
      • Drugs
    • Kidney biopsy
    • FAQs
    • Glossary
  • Living with kidney disease
    • Exercise
    • Kidney Beam
    • Home Dialysis Resource Centre
    • Sex and relationships
    • Dental care
    • Diet and food
    • Benefits and financial support
    • Travel insurance
    • Your Stories
  • Help and support
    • Helpline
    • Helpline Information and leaflets
    • Coronavirus (Covid-19)
    • Questions to ask your GP or Renal Consultant
    • Organ Donation and Transplantation
    • Transplant medication
    • Mental Health
    • Help with Financial Support
    • Benefits Guide
    • Holiday Information
    • Support for children and young people
  • Get involved & Events
    • Events
    • Best Foot Forward
    • NKF Patients' Event
      • NKF VIRTUAL PATIENTS' EVENT 2022
      • NKF Virtual Patients' Event 2021
      • NKF Patients' Event 2020
      • NKF Patients' Event 2019
    • NKF Webinar series
    • Create a fundraising page
    • NKF Fundraising Heroes
    • Your Kidney Anniversary
    • KPA DAY
      • KPA Day 2022 (On Line Event)
      • KPA Day 2021 (On Line Event)
    • Volunteering opportunities
    • Other ways to help
    • Shop
    • Donate
  • News
    • News and Stories
    • Covid-19 and home dialysis webinar
    • Kidney Life magazine
    • In Touch newsletter
    • Press releases
    • Covid-19 Research and Studies
    • Organ Donation: One Year On Webinar
  • Campaigning
    • All-Party Parliamentary Kidney Group
    • NKF Manifestos
    • Home Dialysis Webinar
    • Home Dialysis Campaign
    • Meeting the Cost of Home Dialysis Treatment
    • Campaign For Us
  • Admin
    • Log in
  • Basket: (0 items)
  1. About us
  2. Who's Who

Who's Who

Elected Officers

Chairman - Jim Higgins - Northamptonshire KPA

Born and raised in central London just after the war, Jim married Marion in 1967 and moved to Northampton in 1975. Marion was told her kidneys were not well and she started dialysis in 2000. Together, they went through all forms of dialysis available. This sparked his interest in chronic kidney disease (CKD) and along with a few other patients and carers, he formed the Northamptonshire KPA in 2003.

He then became aware of the NKF and how important it was for all kidney patients at a national level, helping to form pathways with the NHS and parliament.

Jim's working life was spent in the transport industry and he retired aged 56 to care for Marion, who sadly passed away in 2015. He has remained committed to the NKF since as he believes the charity is important to kidney patients.


Vice-Chairman - Brian Child - North East KPA (NEKPA)

Brian worked in the chemical and telecommunications industries for over 40 years before taking early retirement in 2006 to become full-time carer for his wife when she elected for home haemodialysis. At that point she had been a renal patient for over 30 years, including 14 years as a transplant recipient.

A member of Addenbrooke's, North Tyne and North East KPAs, Brian joined the committee of the NEKPA in 2014 and became chairman following the sudden death of its then-chairman in 2017. Brian joined the executive committee of NKF in 2018 and became vice-chairman in 2019.


Treasurer - Michael Sinfield - Six Counties KPA

Michael received a kidney transplant in August 1995. He had PTLD (post-transplant lymphoproliferative disorder) in 2001 but had a course of chemotherapy which sorted out the lymphoma. With a change of medication all has been well since.

Michael has PKD and was fortunate enough to receive a transplant before needing dialysis.

He works as a chartered accountant.


Secretary - George Palmer - Exeter & District KPA

George was first diagnosed with end-stage renal failure at 43 years old after having no previous problems with his kidneys. Prior to his diagnosis, George was a qualified solicitor and partner at a firm in Exeter.

Within a few months he was on dialysis - initially peritoneal and then haemodialysis. By 2015 he was receiving in-centre haemodialysis, six days per week and had retired from work.

Since then he has received a transplant and spends his time working with various charities and assisting in the renal department at his local hospital. He is now the chairman of the Exeter & District Kidney Patients' Association as well as secretary of the NKF. George's hobbies include trying to stay fit and healthy, playing bridge, reading and walking.


Executive Committee

The executive committee consists of the elected officers plus the following:

Ros Aird - Lister Area KPA

Ros was born in Rochdale, and made a career in public sector procurement. She was first aware of kidney disease when her widowed brother developed polycystic kidney disease and was on PD until he died. Then, her husband, Steve, a diabetic, was diagnosed with kidney failure. He started PD, but a bad infection meant this had to be abandoned. He then dialysed in unit, but soon moved to home HD, managed by Ros, and this improved life tremendously. They became involved in the local KPA but sadly, Steve died two years ago. Ros remains committed to Lister Area KPA (LAKPA) in his memory.



Peter Constable

Peter was a former Banker by profession having worked mostly in England but with experience in Europe, Canada and the USA. He was a Regional Director and General Manager, then a CEO for Black Horse Agencies and a Director of Lloyds Abbey Life before his retirement in 1992.

Post retirement, Peter has worked at a children’s hospice, been the chair of a district general hospital and the chair of an ombudsman company. Amongst other local activities, Peter chaired Addenbrookes Kidney Patients Association for five years until 2019. During his time the KPA re-established a joint annual Christmas Carol Service in Cambridge jointly with the NKF.

Peter was diagnosed with polycystic kidney disease in the early 1980’s and started dialysis in 2013 quickly progressing to home haemodialysis which he still carries out every other day. Peter has not been able to have a transplant, however, continues to want to help particularly patients on dialysis.

“I see transplantation as the gold standard which largely sets patients free from the constant restrictions associated with dialysis. I look forward to continuing to seek improvements for patients on a national basis particularly as further restrictions on European provision is now looming. I look forward to better lives for all kidney patients.”


Kevin Lim

Kevin’s dad was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure in December 2020 and sadly passed away in February 2022. During the COVID lockdown period, Kevin returned to Hong Kong to support his CAPD, APD and haemodialysis processes. He decided to join the NKF to help other kidney patients get access to better quality renal treatments and to empower young carers like himself by creating a social support group for them to share their experiences.

Kevin wishes to leverage his experience in the corporate sector to help bolster the NKF’s partnership and fundraising efforts with companies based in the city. Kevin currently works in London as a consultant for a US-based law firm.


Caryl Bryant - Royal Free KPA

Caryl became involved in renal issues when her son was diagnosed with Goodpasture's disease. Caryl helped him through haemodialysis, CAPD, APD and two transplants. His first, a gift from grieving family, saw home through school, university, several Transplant Games and an adventure sailing around the world in the Clipper Race. His second transplant was donated by his younger sister and is doing well.

Caryl has been an active member of the Royal Free Hospital KPA (RFHKPA) since 1990. She is a retired university programme leader and senior law lecturer. Caryl's subjects included Human Rights, Equality and Discrimination Law, Criminal Justice, Consumer Law and Jurisprudence.


David Coyle - Manchester Royal Infirmary KPA


Alan Wells

Alan had a kidney transplant in 2016 after being diagnosed with IgA. Although they were different blood groups, Alan’s wife was the donor and this allowed him to have a pre-emptive incompatible transplant. A difficult first year after the transplant included a nasty infection and two episodes of sepsis, but Alan’s health has settled down subsequently.

Alan spent almost thirty years as the Chief Executive of a government funded education agency. Since he stopped working full-time, he has had a number of part-time positions in education and the health service. These have kept him very busy. However, a number of his positions have just come to an end and he now wishes to devote time to areas of social concern that he has a particular interest in.


Tarsem Paul - Lister Area KPA

Tarsem has extensive experience as a kidney patient. He had been dialysing at the Bedford unit for many years and has recently undergone a second kidney transplant. He is a very active committee member of Lister Area KPA (LAKPA), with an additional role as the liaison officer for the Bedford renal unit. This involves regular visits to the unit to offer help to staff and support to dialysis patients, and to build good relations with the staff at the unit. Tarsem is also a member of the Lister hospital peer support service and has helped many patients, on a confidential basis, by sharing his experience and supporting them.

He is very passionate about supporting kidney patients and their families. Tarsem has established very good relationships with many staff and his contributions have been recognised by both the LAKPA committee and hospital staff.


Nii Plange - Royal Free KPA

Ghanaian born, Nii was diagnosed with end-stage renal failure in 2000, without any experience of any previous medical issues with his kidneys. He was surprised how this had happened as he had hardly visited the hospital prior. Nii later learned that it was due to high blood pressure.

Nii started on PD then CAPD and ended on haemodialysis from where he received a kidney transplant in December 2007; he calls this day his second birthday. Nii joined the Royal Free Hospital Kidney Patients' Association (RFHKPA) in 2008 with the aim of making the renal experience better and to assist kidney patients through the difficult journey that they go through. He is now the chairman of the KPA.


John Roberts - Hope KPA

After seven years in the military and 27 years in the ambulance service, John retired early in 2011 due to CKD. He then started home dialysis, but spent six months in-centre because of another medical condition. John received a transplant from his daughter in 2019.

He became a member of the NKF through Hope KPA, who he has been working with for many years, along with other kidney-related charities.

A keen advocate for home dialysis, he monitors a Facebook page for UK patients who use the NxStage dialysis machine.


Honorary President

Kirit Modi

Kirit is a transplant recipient and has been past-chairman of the NKF. He is currently honorary president of the National BAME Transplant Alliance (NBTA), chair of the Lister Area KPA and chair of the Jain and Hindu Steering Group on organ donation (JHOD). Kirit has frequently spoken at the All-Party Parliamentary Kidney Group and written two manifestos for change; one on BAME issues and one on living kidney donation.

Kirit is a member of the project board for two NHSBT programmes, the Community Investment Scheme, and Living Transplant Initiative. Kirit received a Points of Light award in 2018 from the prime minister for his work on organ donation.


Patrons

Nina Wadia


Lawrence Keogh


Life Patron

Baroness Cumberlege CBE DL


Staff

Chief Executive - Andrea Brown


Head of Marketing and Fundraising - Pete Revell MInstF


Office Manager - Donna Blizard


Fundraising and Office Assistant - Fiona Broomhead


Accounts Administrator - Heather Mooney


Helpline Advisor - Linda Pickering



Helpline and Office Administrator - Stephen Emmerson


Communications and Marketing Officer - Sharney Warren




Social Media and Office Administrator - Catherine Morris


Kidney Life Magazine Editor - Lisa Moulsher



Designer - Chris Marsden
Printers - Ratcliff and Roper
Fulfillment - PR Fulfilment


Webmaster

Robert Hammond

All the above can be contacted through the National Kidney Federation's head office - 01909 544 999 or email [email protected] 

Published: 6th January, 2021

Updated: 11th April, 2022

Author: Chris Albas-Martin

Share this page
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Latest

  • Webinar: Patient Choice – Vascular Access

  • AFTER MY KIDNEY TRANSPLANT - WHAT TO EXPECT

    This is part three in the series and we now look at what to expect once the transplant procedure is over and you have a new kidney.

  • Holiday guide for kidney patients

    Dialysis away from base holiday guide for kidney patients information leaflet

  • County Councillor for Worksop North Callum Bailey Reveals Spring Draw Winners

    County Councillor for Worksop North Callum Bailey Reveals Spring Draw Winners

    The NKF raised an impressive total of £9,897 in their Spring draw raffle to continue their vital support for kidney patients.

Most read

  • Commonly  Prescribed  Drugs for Kidney Disease

    Commonly Prescribed Drugs for Kidney Disease

    Commonly Prescribed Drugs for Kidney Disease information leaflet

  • Sexual relationship in kidney failure for men

    Sexual relationship in kidney failure for men information leaflet

  • Pain in Kidney or Urine Diseases

    Pain in Kidney or Urine Diseases

    Pain is one of the more common reasons to go to a doctor.

  • Small or Single Kidney

    Small or Single Kidney

    The kidneys play an important role controlling the amount of water in the body.

  • Fistula Care

    Care of your fistula information leaflet

  • Can Kidney Patients eat fruit and vegetables

    Can Kidney Patients eat fruit and vegetables information leaflet

  • Acute kidney injury

    Acute kidney injury

    What is acute kidney injury? information leaflet

  • Let's Get Active! Exercise for Kidney Patients

  • Dialysis line insertion

    Dialysis line insertion information leaflet

  • In Touch Newsletter

    In Touch Newsletter

    The May In Touch is now out!

Tag cloud

Cholesterol kidney disease

Join our mailing list

If you would like to receive our Kidney life magazine or our monthly email newsletter, In Touch, please get in touch.

Please enter your first name
Please enter your last name
Please enter your email address Please enter a valid email address (e.g. [email protected])

Useful links

  • Contact us 
  • Careers
  • Terms & Conditions 
  • Privacy policy
  • Admin login
  • My details
  • Log out

Contact

Telephone: (01909) 544999
HELPLINE: 0800 169 09 36 (free from UK Landlines and mobiles)

.

.

.

.

     


Information on this website is intended for UK Residents only

Registered Office:                                                                                                                                                                                                                                     
The National Kidney Federation, The Point, Coach Road, Shireoaks, Worksop, Notts S81 8BW (c) 2021 
Registered in England and Wales as a Company limited by guarantee, Company No 5272349

and awarded charitable status, England and Wales Charity Number 1106735 Scottish Charity Number SC049431
Give as You Earn contributions No. CAF GY511