Leading diabetes charity strengthens Board of Trustees

Renowned diabetes research scientist Dr Shivani Misra, Consultant in Diabetes and Metabolic Medicine at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, and Hampshire businessman Steve Jones, who has developed an award-winning motivation, leadership and employee engagement programme, have been appointed to the UK Board of Trustees by the Diabetes Research and Wellness Foundation (DRWF).

“Dr Misra is one of the country’s leading research scientists and consultants in her speciality and Mr Jones has a unique understanding of leadership and management, team building and motivation in business,” stated DRWF Chief Executive Sarah Tutton. “I am confident their exceptional expertise will be a valuable addition to our UK Board of Trustees.”

DRWF was established in the USA in 1993 and subsequently launched in the UK five years later. The US founders committed to finding a cure after their children were both diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. In addition to research the charity provides support and advice to help people living with all types of diabetes to stay well until a cure is found.

Dr Misra graduated from medical school in 2005 and has actively pursued a research career in diabetes over the last decade. She set up the MY DIABETES study as a PhD student, to examine types of diabetes in different ethnic groups and received the Sutherland-Earl Clinical Research Fellowship from the DRWF to fund this.

Her current clinical activity focuses on people with diabetes diagnosed at a young age with unusual types of diabetes and on young-onset type 2 diabetes. Dr Misra was a recipient of the prestigious European Federation for the Study of Diabetes Future Leaders Mentorship Award in 2017 and continues to balance clinical and research activity in diabetes.

She said: “I am immensely proud to be appointed a Trustee. I first encountered members of the DRWF research team during my interview for the Sutherland-Earl Fellowship in 2012. Since that memorable day, we have maintained a friendship and camaraderie that brings great pleasure to me in my current role as a diabetes researcher and physician at Imperial College London.

“After the initial funding from the DRWF that kick-started my research career, it is a pleasure and privilege to be able to support them in this new role. I very much look forward to working with the fantastic team at the DRWF, which continues to provide important and diverse support to people living with diabetes,” added Dr Misra.

The other new trustee is businessman Steve Jones who is a well-known Hampshire-based executive coach, public speaker, trainer and consultant who is an expert at creating ideas and strategies that build businesses, drive revenue and improve positioning and performance. He has a successful track record for making organisations the best in their category.

“It’s an absolute pleasure to be appointed to DRWF’s UK Board of Trustees,” commented Steve Jones. “It’s a worthy charity that clearly 'punches' above its weight and is a clear trailblazer when it comes to its relationship with its clients and the work it supports. I'm so very proud to become a trustee.”

Mr Jones and Dr Misra will join 3 existing American trustees, including DRWF’s two co-founders and a former British diabetes nurse, on the UK Board of Trustees. It is an engaged and committed group of individuals who bring a significant level of expertise to the governance of the charity in the fields of law, business strategy and management, international fundraising, psychology, healthcare and education.

Dr Shivani Misra and Mr Steve Jones join the following trustees:

Michael Gretschel (US)
Co-Founder
Chairman of the Board
Volunteer fundraiser for diabetes research for over 30 years

John Alahouzos (US)
Co-Founder
Volunteer fundraiser for diabetes research since 1978

Jeffrey Harab (US)
Bachelor of Arts, Juris Doctor. Attorney-at-Law, 1979

Valerie Hussey (UK)
Retired Nurse, Musgrove Park Hospital, Taunton

DRWF aims to support people with diabetes through the provision of information and guidance. The researchers it funds continue to work towards finding a cure.

The charity undertakes national awareness campaigns to ensure the public are aware of all types of diabetes, risk factors, symptoms and potential complications.

It provides resources to diabetes and related healthcare professionals in support of their patients through the provision of educational events and advisory literature.

DRWF marked its 20th anniversary in the UK in 2018 by winning a Quality in Care award for its Diabetes Wellness event programme aimed at people living with the condition.

The organisation has developed an international network of Diabetes Research & Wellness charities to ensure a global approach to awareness, educational support and research funding.

More background information at www.DRWF.org.uk