I have diverse experience, having been involved in the voluntary sector since 1993. I have held the posts of coordinator of the Skin Care Campaign at the National Eczema Society, general manager at Teaching Aids at Low Cost, an international healthcare training and education NGO and Chief Executive of the Psoriasis Support Trust. I also co-founded, and jointly managed the Psoriatic Arthropathy Alliance (a charity) with my wife Julie, following my own diagnosis with psoriatic arthritis. During this time, I have been a patient advocate, and given presentations on the patient perspective in Europe and the US, written and published articles, developed awareness campaigns and been involved in the development of both quantitative and qualitative research. I am currently Chief Executive of PAPAA – The Psoriasis and Psoriatic Arthritis Alliance a UK patient charity. Prior to moving into healthcare advocacy, I worked in commercial business. I am also involved in a number of committees and agencies (including NICE and the MHRA) as a patient or lay member, combining my own personal experience of having both psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis with that of those the charity represents. I have a keen interest in social inclusion, equality issues and like to champion the ordinary person’s views, by encouraging individuals to engage and have a voice.