We are pleased to announce that we have welcomed two new trustees to the board of The Migraine Trust.

Dr Gina Kennedy

Gina has been in the post of Neurology Consultant with specialist interest in Headache, at South Tyneside and Sunderland NHS Trust, since April 2013, and Clinical Lead since 2019. She completed a PhD research degree at Cambridge University in 1993 and then graduated in Medicine at Oxford University in 2001. She completed Neurology Specialist Registrar Training in Neurology in the South West in March 2013 before settling in the North-East.

On a national level, Gina has been a member of the British Association for the Study of Headache (BASH) since 2021 and is the current Scientific Officer. On a regional level, she is Chair of the Northern Regional Headache Multidisciplinary group. She is involved in developing local, regional and national pathways of care for patients with headache. She has an active role in headache clinical trials and up to date headache treatments with a keen interest in app technology to improve headache management.

Gina said:

“I am honoured to be part of a national charity which has such a significant presence in the lives of migraine sufferers and in my own professional life. I am hoping to help drive migraine awareness and treatment provision to reach the patients in the community via local pharmacies and help support fair advanced treatment access on a regional ICS level. I also have the unique perspective of being a BASH Council member to strengthen alliances towards the shared goal of improving lives of migraine sufferers.”

Iain Pelling

Ian trained as a Chartered Accounted and brings audit and audit oversight experience combined with significant financial stewardship expertise and understanding of charity governance. He is a successful organisation builder who has worked at board level with a number of organisations and is committed to using his financial and management skills for societal improvement. Ian has worked with a wide range of organisations including KPMG, the BBC and numerous media and production companies.

Ian said:

“The Migraine Trust is an amazing organistion that helps so many people. As a business founder and Chartered Accountant, I want to use some of my time to help create improvements in our health and wellbeing and I hope my skills will be useful to The Migraine Trust.”

Chair of The Migraine Trust and CEO of TXG Ltd Michelle Walder said:

“Gina and Iain bring a wealth of experience to The Migraine Trust and I’m delighted to welcome them to our board. Iain brings financial and strategic expertise that will be invaluable to support our growth as we continue to increase our impact over the coming years. Gina’s background in neurology and her deep understanding of the challenges faced by people living with migraine will further strengthen our focus on evidence-led support and campaigns. Their combined experience will be a tremendous asset to The Migraine Trust as we work to improve the lives of those affected by this complex and often misunderstood condition.”