The Thyroid Trust
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Our Trustees

Back to the rest of our team

Dr Paul Jenkins

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Dr Paul Jenkins, MA BChir MD FRCP, is a Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist at The London Endocrine Centre.

After qualifying with a degree in Medical Sciences at Cambridge University, Dr Jenkins undertook his clinical training at The Royal London Hospital. He worked at the internationally renowned Department of Endocrinology at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, where he gained unrivalled experience in clinical endocrinology. After completing his MD research degree he was appointed as Senior Lecturer and then Reader in Endocrinology and Honorary Consultant Endocrinologist.

For over 10 years he also led the Endocrine service at Homerton University Hospital. Within the Medical School, he was Dean for Pre-Registration Doctors and an enthusiastic teacher of undergraduate students across all years. Widely published he has been awarded numerous academic grants for his research and lectured extensively in the UK and abroad on his findings before establishing the London Endocrine Centre where he is the Senior Consultant.
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He has a particular interest in disorders of the thyroid, adrenal and pituitary glands, as well as diabetes. He has also developed considerable expertise in the diagnosis and management of chronic fatigue. He firmly believes in taking a holistic approach and involving patients in their care, for optimum treatment and joined the The Thyroid Trust board in order to provide expert support to the Trustees as we develop our work to help patients and work collaboratively with the medical profession.  

Shireen Khan

Wendy Sharpe - The Thyroid Trust
Shireen Khan is a non-practicing barrister with experience in clinical negligence, financial regulation, healthcare regulation, professional discipline and employment law. Shireen was called to the bar by the Honourable Society of the Inner Temple in 2016 and completed her law degree at the Universities of Kent and Copenhagen. She has advised charities on informed consent, patient and parental advocacy and forming alliances. Previously employed by the General Pharmaceutical Council and currently employed by one of the largest healthcare regulators in the UK. Shireen manages cases at the end of the professional discipline process ready for Substantive Review Hearings and Final Hearings and presents Interim Order Reviews to an independent Panel.  

A keen campaigner, supporter and volunteer of charities such as; Maternity Action, Pregnant Then Screwed and Pregnancy Sickness Support. Shireen is a member of the Association of Breastfeeding Mothers and the Bar Human Rights Committee. Shireen is a board member of the Society of Black Lawyers and a legal writer. She has also worked internationally on the refugee crisis and represented the UK at a legal scholars conference in Nanjing China. 

Shireen is a mum to a pre-schooler who experienced pregnancy related hypothyroidism  temporarily along with Hyperemesis Gravidarum and has family members with thyroid disease. Although her thyroid condition was merely present during pregnancy, only strong advocacy and private support allowed Shireen to have the treatment that was required. Having been part of many support groups, she decided to apply for a policy making government scheme to change the policy on thyroid treatment on the NHS.

Shireen enjoys playing netball, swimming and martial arts as a way to keep fit and has a keen interest in medical breakthroughs and legal research. Shireen joined the Board of Trustees in October 2022.

Ramesh Maruthai - ​Treasurer

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Treasurer, Ramesh Maruthai is a member of the ICAEW and is working as Finance Manager with Tullow Oil Plc, an independent oil and gas company listed in LSE. He has over 20 years of experience in the finance discipline and started his professional career in India with extensive experience of working with companies focussed on UK and Africa. He has diverse experience of being part of multinational corporations and start-ups with core expertise on financial controls, treasury operations, risk management and financial reporting.
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He is also a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India and holds professional qualification in Company Secretaryship discipline. He enjoys playing badminton and is an avid cricket enthusiast. He is closely associated with the cause of the trust as his wife is also living with the thyroid disease. He joined the Thyroid Trust, as Trustee Treasurer, in May 2023.

Valerie Dennis

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Valerie has over 30 years’ experience as a headteacher, senior leader and teacher with a commitment to inclusion and raising access and standards for all young people. She has a good working knowledge of governance, strategic leadership, sound financial management, leadership and management of change, curriculum development, teaching, professional development and improving education and well-being for all young people.

She has experience of the role of a trustee within a community organisation with charitable status and has contributed locally and nationally within education. Representing schools  and advising the government as a founder member of the General Teaching Council England between 2001 and 2006.
Following a busy career in schools, Valerie now works to support the education of children and young people excluded from, or not included in, schools. 

Following her diagnosis of hypothyroidism in 2005, she has, with the support of her GP, managed this condition with Levothyroxine alongside the challenges presented by its interrelationship with her epilepsy medication, cholesterol levels and more recently the menopause. 
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In becoming a trustee of The Thyroid Trust in January 2024, Valerie supports the aim to increase the reassurance, awareness and advocacy available for people finding their way through their own implications of thyroid conditions.

Anthony Salandy

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A.R. Arthur is a poet, author and sociologist who has spent most of his life in Kuwait jostling between the UK and the Netherlands.

Anthony’s writing and reviews have been published over 410 times internationally. Anthony’s Flash Fiction was shortlisted and received an honorable mention in the 2022 The Dillydoun Flash Fiction Prize Competition. Anthony has 3 published chapbooks titled ‘The Great Northern Journey’ 2020 (Lazy Adventurer Publishing) & ‘Vultures’ 2021 (Roaring Junior Press), a novel ‘The Sands of Change’ 2021 (Alien Buddha Press) and a collection of Sociology Essays titled ‘Ideology, Spontaneity & Meaning in Hyper Reality: Collected Essays on Globalisation & Postmodernity’. Anthony’s Chapbook ‘Half Bred’ was the Winner of the 2021 ‘The Poetry Question’ Chapbook contest.

​Anthony is the founder and Editor in Chief of Fahmidan Publishing & Company Limited and a Senior Poetry Editor at Harbor Review.

Gizem Koksal

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Gizem Koksal joined The Thyroid Trust as a Trustee in March 2025. Gizem brings over a decade of experience in programme and project management across the charity, public, and private sectors.

Gizem’s career has included leading strategic initiatives in local government to address systemic community health challenges and working directly with patients and healthcare professionals – giving her a grounded understanding of the health and care landscape. 

Gizem offers valuable insight into public health, community engagement, strategic planning, service design, and health innovation. 

​Passionate about raising awareness and advocating for better thyroid health, Gizem is committed to contributing to the charity’s mission and driving positive change for individuals living with thyroid conditions.
Outside of her professional life, Gizem also volunteers at a local homeless shelter and loves the outdoors; walking, cycling, swimming and paddleboarding.
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If you would like to join our team of volunteers, please email [email protected]

for everyone affected by thyroid disease


Meetings

We organise regular information and support meetings online and in person.
Click here for upcoming dates.    ​

We are a small independent charity. We receive no government funding and are reliant on donations for our income. Please support us. 

PlEASE CONSIDER SUPPORTING OUR VITAL WORK

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The donate button above takes you to a secure donation processing platform, JustGiving. Please contact us if you would prefer to make a direct bank transfer to donate via any other means, or if you are interested in volunteering. 
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Proud members of the following organisations
Thyroid Federation International logo on The Thyroid Trust website
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NCVO logo on The Thyroid Trust website
The Thyroid Trust is a member of National Voices  membership logo
Proud to be in a charity partnership with:
With thanks to all  our supporters, including: 
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National Lottery Community Fund logo
Funded By Garfield Weston Foundation

Correspondence ADDRESS

15 Great College Street, London, SW1P 3RX

The Thyroid Trust is also known as TTT and Thyroid Friends Network,
Registered Charity Number 1183292
Registered Address: 15 GREAT COLLEGE STREET, LONDON, SW1P 3RX
Copyright asserted 2019 - Our consititution and all policy documents can be viewed on request. 
Read our Privacy Policy updated 23/5/18, .
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  • Home
  • About
    • Our Team
    • Our Trustees
    • Our Ambassadors
    • Annual Report
    • Awareness Videos
    • What people say about us
    • Work for us
  • Events
    • Previous events and recordings
    • Thyroid Cancer Awareness Month
    • Events by other organisations
    • Meeting reports
  • Information
    • Graves Disease - Resource List
    • Fitness & Wellbeing Q&A
    • News >
      • Press Releases
      • Media Coverage
      • MHRA news
      • Women's Health Strategy
      • Funding News >
        • November 2019 Funding News
        • Summer 2020
    • T3 News and Resources >
      • Liothyronine Dossier 2018
      • A GP writes
      • Scottish Parliament
    • Information Videos
    • Expert Insight
    • Research >
      • Research Participation
      • Research References
    • NICE Guidelines >
      • NICE Guideline Thyroid Cancer
    • Mother Baby Iodine
    • Patient Stories >
      • 24 Questions Videos
      • Molly Holland
      • Michael Rosen
      • Vroni
      • Vicky
      • Karen
      • Michelle
      • Kelly
      • Pamela
      • Helga
      • Mary
      • Submit Your Story
  • Blog
  • Volunteer
  • Support Us
    • Share our Corporate Pack
    • Run or swim for the Thyroid Trust
    • Order a T-Shirt
    • Donate when shopping
  • Donate
  • Contact