Faculty

Oscar Lyons is a medical doctor, researcher, and educator with expertise in healthcare leadership development. He began his clinical career in New Zealand, working in both rural and urban hospital settings before being awarded a Rhodes Scholarship to Oxford. He holds a DPhil in Evaluating Medical Leadership Development Programmes from the University of Oxford. Oscar has designed and delivered leadership development across a wide range of contexts, including Oxford master’s programmes, NHS trusts, international consultancies, and academic summer schools. He has led national research projects, including a UK-wide review of medical leadership development in the Royal Colleges, and multi-site evaluations of conflict resolution programmes. He is also Associate Editor of BMJ Leader, the UK’s leading journal on healthcare leadership.

At Thrum, Oscar serves as Academic Director. He leads on co-designing evidence-based curricula, ensuring all programmes are grounded in the latest research and aligned with real-world impact. Oscar oversees Thrum’s approach to evaluation and continuous improvement, drawing on mixed-methods research to demonstrate and enhance the effectiveness of every programme. He also contributes as a facilitator, bringing a rigorous, reflective, and compassionate approach to leadership learning.

Mary Fenwick is a qualified executive coach with a professional background spanning journalism, corporate public affairs, educational fundraising, and strategic networking. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Coaching and an external examiner for Henley Business School’s coaching programmes. Mary has a particular interest in the intersection of leadership and identity, with experience addressing issues related to gender, ethnicity, bullying, and neurodiversity. She is trained in Mindful Self-Compassion Core Skills, Mental Health First Aid, and is actively developing a trauma-informed coaching practice.

At Thrum, Mary is a Programme Director for the Emerging Leaders Programme at OUH and facilitator. She brings a strong focus on the relational and reflective aspects of leadership, using coaching, facilitated dialogue, and narrative practices to support participants in developing greater self-awareness, confidence, and resilience.

Wendy Washbourn is an experienced administrator based at the Oxford Simulation, Teaching and Research Centre (OxSTaR). She brings deep expertise in coordinating complex education programmes within healthcare and academic settings, ensuring operational excellence and learner support throughout.

At Thrum, Wendy is the Programme Manager for the Emerging Leaders Programme, where she ensures the seamless delivery of all logistical and administrative elements. She is the primary point of contact for applicants, participants, and faculty, and is consistently recognised in programme evaluations as a standout contributor. Her attention to detail, responsiveness, and warm professionalism are integral to the participant experience and to maintaining Thrum’s high standards of delivery.

Juliette Phillipson is a medical doctor from Christchurch, New Zealand, with a strong interest in medical education, public health, and research. She is currently completing a Master’s in Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, supported by a prestigious New Zealand postgraduate scholarship. Her academic and clinical background informs her commitment to evidence-based practice and improving health systems through rigorous research.

At Thrum, Juliette supports programme evaluation and research design. She plays a key role in analysing participant outcomes, synthesising evaluation data, and aligning findings with both academic standards and practical decision-making needs. Her work helps ensure Thrum’s programmes remain high-impact, well-evidenced, and continuously improved based on real-world data.

Dr Anne Gordon is an experienced clinician, post-doctoral researcher, and strategic leader with a background in occupational therapy. She has held executive-level roles across the NHS and worked in regional and national policy environments, including the development of multi-professional clinical services. Anne has delivered education and training for clinicians and healthcare administrators across professional groups, and has significant experience in both operational and strategic leadership. Alongside her clinical and leadership work, Anne is a qualified executive coach and accredited mediator, with a strong focus on collaboration, quality improvement, and equity in healthcare.

At Thrum, Anne serves as an advisor, bringing her expertise in system-wide leadership, coaching, and inclusive practice to the development of bespoke leadership partnerships. Due to her experience across frontline care and national healthcare bodies, Anne has an interest in co-developing content that bridges strategic vision with day-to-day realities in healthcare, and is particularly involved in supporting allied health professionals and multidisciplinary teams.

Karandeep Nandra is a public health registrar and teaching fellow.

A graduate of the first Emerging Leaders Programme, Karandeep has been a programme director since.

He has been a full-time teaching fellow since 2018, and has delivered a wide range of sessions alongside the ELP.

He has received outstanding feedback for his teaching, facilitation, course direction and curriculum development.

Abbas Sardar is a doctor currently completing a clinical fellowship within the Ambulatory Assessment Unit at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Abbas graduated from the Emerging Leaders Programme in 2020 whilst completing his foundation training in the Oxford Deanery.

He has a particular interest in quality improvement and medical education, and is currently completing a Post Graduate Certificate in Medical Education.

Abbas joined the ELP as a faculty member in 2020 and is responsible for speaker recruitment and course delivery.

Avneet Gill is a Diagnostic Radiographer by trade and now works within imaging research, specifically relating to Artificial Intelligence algorithm testing. She has previously worked coordinating imaging teams within busy Accident and Emergency departments and now has a focus on project managing commercial/non-commercial research studies in her field.

Her personal interest in leadership, coaching and mentoring has led her to write, present and disseminate pieces of work on these topics to her peers, as forms of Continuing Professional Development (CPD).

Avneet is a graduate of Next Generation Leaders Programme.

Joao Galante is a Clinical Oncology registrar at the London/KSS programme, and a MSc candidate at the Institute of Cancer Research.

Joao worked as an engineer in Poland, before studying medicine between there, the UK and the United States, and working at Oxford University Hospitals as a medical doctor.

Alongside his involvement in quality improvement, trainee representation, engagement and teaching, Joao has been a core faculty member, facilitator and tutor for the Emerging Leaders Programme since 2018, after graduating from the first edition of the ELP.

James Hong is a doctor and graduate student at the University of Oxford, pursuing a MSc and MBA thereafter.

James completed the Emerging Leaders Programme in 2020 as a FY2 doctor at Oxford University Hospitals. During this time, he implemented leadership and quality improvement skills learnt from the programme to spearhead multiple QIPs leading to Trust-wide prizes.

James joined the ELP as a faculty member in 2020 and is responsible for programme curriculum, speaker engagement, and coaching.

Harry is a Surgical Doctor interested in assessment and evaluation of leadership development programmes. He has worked in Oxford as an academic foundation doctor and at Imperial College as a surgical teaching fellow.
He is in the process of completing his MSc in Medical Education at the University of Oxford. He is grateful to the Horlock Trust for their financial support of his studies. His dissertation is based on evaluating the Next Generation Leaders Programme. Aside from his Leadership research, Harry is also a podcaster, founding the A to Easy podcast for medical students.

I am a paediatrician, with interests in Medical Education and Paediatric Palliative Care. These interests are strangely interwoven. In palliative medicine the focus is on holistic care and good communication. Within MedEd, I have developed and maintained ‘The Oxford Paediatrics Hub’, a single platform for communication, education and collaboration within the deanery. Using quality improvement/leadership principles learnt through the ELP course, the project has evolved, now developing a bespoke trainee portal as a Health Education England Trainee Improvement Fellow. And of course, I felt I had to come back and be a part of the fantastic ELP team!

Esse Menson is a consultant paediatrician, mediator, and educator. She holds a PhD in vaccine development and qualified in medicine from Bristol Medical School in 1994, later specialising in Paediatric Infectious Diseases and Immunology with training in Melbourne and South East England. Esse became a consultant in 2006 and an accredited mediator in 2014. While at Evelina London Children’s Hospital, she co-developed the Evelina Resolution Project to address conflict in paediatric care. She has been a course director for the MRCPCH Clinical Examination Course at Guy’s & St Thomas’ since 2012 and is a principal trainer with the Medical Mediation Foundation. Her work includes national and international delivery of training in conflict management for multidisciplinary professionals. She also holds certifications in Compassion Training (Stanford) and Mindful Self-Compassion (London).

At Thrum, Esse is a Programme Director for the Emerging Leaders Programme at OUH and facilitator, known for her compassionate, inclusive, and grounded style. She brings deep expertise in clinical team dynamics, psychological safety, and conflict resolution. As a facilitator, she helps participants reflect on their own leadership behaviours and supports them to develop relational, equitable, and resilient leadership practices.

Oscar Mathew is a qualified barrister and accredited mediator with a specialist background in regulatory and public law. He is a Director of the Medical Mediation Foundation and previously served as a senior legal adviser to the General Medical Council. In that role, he led high-profile judicial reviews and statutory appellate work, including conduct of the landmark Montgomery v Lanarkshire Health Board case — a Supreme Court decision that fundamentally reshaped informed consent in UK medical law. Oscar brings extensive expertise in legal ethics, clinical accountability, and the resolution of complex disputes in healthcare.

At Thrum, is a facilitator, known for his engaging and grounded style, and specialises in teaching on negotiation, high-performing teams, medical ethics, and managing conflict in clinical settings. He brings a unique medico-legal perspective to leadership development, helping healthcare professionals navigate complex interpersonal and organisational challenges with clarity and confidence.

Jordan is a medical doctor, World Economic Forum Global Shaper, and Schwarzman Scholar with over a decade of experience in the health technology and education sectors. Passionate about preventative health and systems improvement, Jordan has consistently applied entrepreneurial thinking to complex healthcare challenges. In 2013, he co-founded the London Forum of Science Policy to bridge the gap between academia and policy — publishing multiple papers and securing platforms at London City Hall, the European Commission, and the BBC within its first year. He went on to found pocketNurse, an award-winning clinical education company inspired by the limitations he observed in medical training.

Jordan has held a range of leadership roles, from representing the UK at the G20 Summit in Hangzhou to serving as Managing Director at Knightsbridge Tuition. His current focus is as CEO of U-Ploid Biotechnologies, developing leading reproductive health therapeutics.

At Thrum, Jordan contributes as an Industry Advisor, supporting our work to establish institutional partnerships and broaden our strategic horizon. He offers insight into emerging trends in health technology and education, helps us connect with influential networks, and challenges us to bring entrepreneurial approaches to our programme design and growth.

Matthew Bryon has a background in healthcare education and programme development. He began his career within the NHS, supporting clinical and patient pathways, particularly for young adults receiving cranio-facial care. He later joined the University of Oxford, where he played a pivotal role in establishing the MSc in Global Healthcare Leadership - a flagship interdisciplinary programme delivered jointly by Saïd Business School and the Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences. With a significant annual budget, this MSc was the first successful collaboration between two Oxford divisions, designed to prepare healthcare leaders for complex, global systems. Matthew also has a keen interest in digital learning, with a particular focus on the power of asynchronous tools to improve learner engagement and accessibility.

At Thrum, Matthew is Managing Director and leads on operational delivery and development of institutional partnerships. As part of this, he oversees programme planning, stakeholder coordination, budget management, and quality assurance. Drawing on his academic and NHS experience, he ensures that Thrum’s programmes are not only well-managed but strategically aligned to healthcare priorities and designed to deliver lasting, measurable impact.

Claire Pulford is the Director of Medical Education for Oxford University Hospitals.

Jaason Geerts, PhD, is an accomplished leader in the field of healthcare and education. He currently holds the position of Vice-President of Research and Leadership Development at the Canadian College of Health Leaders. With a PhD in Leadership Development for Professionals from the University of Cambridge, his career spans roles in leadership speaking, training, consulting, and academic teaching. Jaason is recognized for his expertise in public speaking and teaching, and he has contributed significantly to research and graduate-level teaching on leadership and expertise.

Vasiliki is Chief Operating Officer of the NIHR Oxford BRC with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital & health care industry.

Vasiliki has a Master's level Diploma in Organisational Leadership focused in Leadership and an Executive MBA from the University of Oxford - Said Business School.

Vasiliki commissioned the Next Generation Leaders Programme and contributes to oversight, workshop delivery and guest speakers

Aimee is a senior anaesthetic trainee at Oxford University Hospitals. She graduated from the Emerging Leaders Programme in 2020 while completing a Trainee Improvement Fellowship at HEE Thames Valley.

Her fellowship focussed on providing support for doctors who have taken time out of medical training for a variety of reasons. She has an interest in medical education, mentoring and quality improvement.

Aimee joined the ELP faculty in 2020 and is responsible for coaching and speaker engagement.

Alex is currently undergoing GP training, following a 2 year fellowship in the Ambulatory Care Unit at Oxford University Hospitals.

Alex has attended several courses including; Emerging Leaders Programme, Value Based Healthcare (Harvard University Business School), Edward Jenner Programme (NHS Leadership Academy), OUH QI Hub and a Module in Professional Practice (Bucks New University).

Alex is currently a RCP Chief Registrar, undergoing the flagship leadership programme to develop into a future clinical leader. He is training to become a GP, after previously completing a dynamic two-year fellowship at the Ambulatory Care Unit within Oxford University Hospitals. Along this journey, Alex has been a continuous learner, seizing opportunities to expand their knowledge and skills through various courses and programmes.

Among these enriching experiences, Alex has delved into the Management in Medicine programme (Green Templeton College), as well as the Emerging Leaders Programme (Thrum Leadership) and Edward Jenner Programme (NHS Leadership Academy). In addition, he has completed a PGCert in Professional Practice (Bucks New University), as well as a 'Value-Based Healthcare' course at the renowned Harvard University Business School, refining their understanding of delivering high-quality care efficiently.

Alex has actively engaged in enhancing quality and innovation within healthcare through his participation in Quality improvement at several stages throughout his career, and continues to provide hands-on mentoring experience in driving quality improvement initiatives and fostering a culture of continuous enhancement.

These diverse experiences have ignited Alex's passion for Quality Improvement and Leadership within Healthcare. With a robust foundation built upon these experiences, Alex is poised to make significant contributions to the advancement of healthcare delivery, driving positive change and improving outcomes for patients and staff alike.

Lorna is a member of the senior management team at the NIHR Oxford Biomedical Research Centre, a partnership between the University of Oxford and Oxford University Hospitals, funded by the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR). She has an academic background in health services research with a particular focus on NHS patient experiences. She has held a number of leadership roles in academia, NIHR research operations and within the voluntary sector as a Junior Rowing Coach. She is an NHS Leadership Academy Mentor, and graduate of the NHS Leadership Academy Mary Seacole training programme . She is also a graduate of the University of Oxford Said Business School Executive Diploma in Organisational Leadership where she was awarded an International scholarship for outstanding female candidates. She is a visiting academic at the Radcliffe Department of Medicine and member of Kellogg College and Pembroke College University of Oxford. She is still active in research and currently leading some initiatives on equality and diversity at the NIHR Oxford BRC.

Kerri’s career as a Clinical Scientist has migrated into facilitating clinical research and digital projects at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Currently SUWON Divisional Research and Development Manager, Kerri has a strong interest in project management and quality improvement.

Kerri graduated from the Emerging Leaders Programme in 2020 receiving the Chief Medical Officers award at the QIP symposium.

Karen is the Training and Education Project Manager for the NIHR Oxford BRC.

Karen has a DPhil in Zoology and a Postgraduate Certificate in Education. She has extensive experience in teaching and in programme management.

Karen is the Programme Manager for the Next Generation Leaders Programme, and supports the faculty in organisation, development, delivery and evaluation.