Our people

Meet our team

The EHE Rare Cancer Charity (UK) is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) with Charity Registration No. 1162472. The Charity is run by a Board of  Trustees, shown below, as stated in its Foundation Constitution.

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Hugh Leonard

Hugh Leonard

Chair of Trustees

Hugh is a senior executive of a small independent oil and gas company based in London. Hugh is an ardent supporter of the EHE cause and brings significant drive and organisational skills to the charity, backed up by more than 30 years of corporate experience and operations, including governance and statutory reporting requirements. He is married with three children.

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Jeff Collins

Jeff Collins

Trustee

Jeff is a Canadian Chartered Accountant and CFO of an oil and gas company. Jeff has previously served as Treasurer for a Canadian national environmental charity based in Ottawa. He brings a detailed knowledge of accounting, reporting and financial governance to the Board of Trustees, coupled with his natural drive and enthusiasm. He is married with three children.

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Kate Hooper

Kate Hooper

Trustee

Kate has a doctorate in Developmental Genetics. She has extensive experience in academic publishing, as an editor of biomedical journals. Kate brings a strong understanding of biomedical research, as well as experience of the peer-review, funding and grant application process. She is married with two children and is based in London.

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Dr Oliver Pearce

Dr Oliver Pearce

Trustee

Dr Oliver Pearce is Group Leader at the Barts Cancer Institute in London. Oliver's lab at Bart's is focused on the tumour microenvironment (TME), where they are particularly interested in understanding the composition and function of the tumour extracellular matrix in immunosuppression.

While Oliver's lab is not working on EHE, Oliver brings real, up-to-date, cancer research expertise into the Board of Trustees. Oliver is also a member of our Research and Medical Advisory Board.

There is also a personal connection for Oliver as his cousin was diagnosed with EHE in 2005. We know that Oliver will be able to play an important part in our activities as we continue to strive to fund EHE research and seek new treatments and hopefully find a cure for EHE. Oliver is married with two children.

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Sally Baker

Sally Baker

Trustee

Sally is closely involved with EHE and the implications of dealing with an EHE diagnosis. She is actively involved in the Charity’s patient support and engagement process. Sally is married, has three children and a labradoodle.  She lives in Kingston-upon Thames.

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Mike Rich

Mike Rich

Executive Director

Mike Rich is a highly-experienced member of the charity sector. He has joined the management structure of our charity in the role of Executive Director, on a voluntary part-time basis. Mike has a wonderful reputation in the sector and brings years of experience in so many areas. Mike won't be working full time, as he has a full time role with another organisation in London, but the hours he can spare out of his personal time are going to be invaluable. Mike is married with two children.

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Mariana Coutinho

Mariana Coutinho

European Coordinator

Mariana is a Clinical and Health Psychologist. After her EHE diagnosis, in 2016, she became a patient advocate and joined several patient groups and organisations who work to improve the lives of those living with cancer. She has a special interest in the topic of cross-border healthcare and has contributed with her perspective on a political level, by attending meetings with decision makers and a public hearing at the European Parliament where she brought attention to the importance of making cross-border healthcare more accessible to cancer patients, especially those living with a rare cancer. She was part Rare 2030 Project (lead by EURORDIS) where together with other young patient advocates, she worked on the development of policy recommendations around rare disease policy in Europe. She is a member of the Steering Committee of Youth Cancer Europe where she also works as a researcher. She recently joined the EORTC Quality of Life Group as a Patient Expert. Mariana was born in Portugal, where she currently lives, and has received cancer treatment in the UK.