DRINKAWARE - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Director, Business Development and Partnerships
Adam joined Drinkaware in 2019 after previously running a successful family food business.
Adam joined Drinkaware in 2019 after previously running a successful family food business.
Adam's early career was in marketing and previous roles include Commercial and Business Development Director at the National Housing Federation, and Senior Marketing and Commercial Business Unit Manager with CORGI Group. Adam is responsible for our funder and partner relationships and new business development.
Job Titles:
- Director, Evidence and Impact
An experienced social researcher with a record of applying behavioural science to policy problems, and running and designing robust randomised controlled trials.
Annabelle joined Drinkaware in 2020 and leads our research team.
She is an experienced social researcher with a track record of applying behavioural science to policy problems; and of running and designing robust randomised controlled trials.
She joins Drinkaware from Ofgem, where she led ground breaking trials to uncover what works in increasing engagement in the domestic energy market, and was part of a team awarded the 2019 Behavioural Exchange Award for Outstanding Research.
Before then, she worked in the Department of Health's Behavioural Insight Team, focussing on robust evaluations of innovative ways to improve health outcomes, including increasing attendance at NHS Health Checks, which won the UK Government's annual Social Research Award in 2014.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Director of Partnerships
- Director of Partnerships at the Disability Equality Charity Scope
Charles Allen is Director of Partnerships at the disability equality charity Scope and a trustee of The Lightbox, a purpose-driven charitable arts and heritage organisation. Having spent a career in commercial marketing roles, from 2010 - 2020, as Head of Marketing with Arsenal FC and formerly with Pepsico, Diageo and Coca-Cola & Schweppes Beverages, Charles is brings considerable expertise in consumer engagement, branding and digital marketing to the Drinkaware Board. Charles is a committed advocate for the rights of young people, social inequality and on mental health issues.
Job Titles:
- Independent Non - Executive Director
- Trustee
- Independent Non - Executive Director of Drinkaware Trading Ltd
Dominic McNeill is the independent non-executive director of Drinkaware's trading company. Dominic has been Global Marketing Director for Nando's Grocery International Ltd since 2012, a role from which he recently stepped down.
Dominic McNeill is the independent non-executive director of Drinkaware's trading company. Dominic has been Global Marketing Director for Nando's Grocery International Ltd since 2012, a role from which he recently stepped down.
Formerly, he worked in private equity, focusing on start-up businesses, and in senior marketing roles for Procter & Gamble in Eastern & Western Europe. He has also spent some time in Swaziland where he worked for the American NGO, Population Services International, delivering behavioural change campaigns and local interventions to help prevent the spread of HIV. In addition to his responsibilities on the trading company Board, Dominic is a co-opted member of Drinkaware's Marketing Advisory Group.
Dr Colin Hunter has recently retired from practice in Skene, Aberdeenshire where he had been a GP for 33 years. Colin was a member of the Council of the Royal College of General Practitioners for 23 years and concluded six years as the Chair of Trustees of the College in November 2018.
Dr Colin Hunter has recently retired from practice in Skene, Aberdeenshire where he had been a GP for 33 years. Colin was a member of the Council of the Royal College of General Practitioners for 23 years and concluded six years as the Chair of Trustees of the College in November 2018.
He is currently a Trustee for Leonard Cheshire Disability where he chairs the People Committee and a Governor of Robert Gordons University in Aberdeen. His past roles include the National Coordinator for Primary Care in NHS Education Scotland and the Chair of the Independent Quality and Outcomes Advisory Committee for the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).
Dr Varuna Aluvihare has been the Consultant Transplant Hepatologist and Hepatology Transplant lead at one of the world's largest clinical-academic liver centres, The Institute of Liver Studies, Kings College Hospital since 2006.
Dr Varuna Aluvihare has been the Consultant Transplant Hepatologist and Hepatology Transplant lead at one of the world's largest clinical-academic liver centres, The Institute of Liver Studies, Kings College Hospital since 2006.
Dr Aluvihare's research focusses on liver regeneration, immune dysfunction and cancer biology. He was the recipient of Medical Research Council (MRC) Fellowships at the world renowned MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology at the University of Cambridge and has a body of academic publications to his name. He regularly appears on national and local media discussing public health issues relating to liver disease.
Job Titles:
- Retired Lead Alcohol Liaison Nurse, and Has Worked Extensively in Alcohol Harm
Helene Leslie Is a Retired Lead Alcohol Liaison Nurse, and has worked extensively in alcohol harm.
Helene Leslie has worked extensively in alcohol harm. She is a Retired Lead Alcohol Liaison Nurse, Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh, Lothian NHS Trust and Chair of Scottish Alcohol Liaison Nurse Forum.
Job Titles:
- Associate Director of Public Health - Royal Borough of Kingston
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Leader
- Member of the Senior Management Team
- Vice Chair of Trustees at the Avalon Group
Karen is Drinkaware's Chief Executive Officer and joined the organisation in October 2022.
Karen brings over 20 years of experience across health and social care, most recently in the national alcohol and drug treatment charity Humankind where she was Executive Director of Strategy, Culture and External Affairs.
Prior to Humankind Karen worked at Addaction (now called With You), a charity that gives free confidential support to people with drugs, alcohol and mental health issues.
Karen is also Vice Chair of Trustees at the Avalon Group, a social care charity.
Karen is a collaborative leader, with expertise in strategy and communications. She has spent time working in business development and started her career as a volunteer.
Job Titles:
- Company Secretary
- Finance Director
Katrina joined Drinkaware in September 2022 as Finance Director and Company Secretary.
She has been a finance and accounting professional for over 30 years, in a range of public sector organisations including local government and the NHS.
Most recently, Katrina was the Interim Director of Finance at Cats Protection
Job Titles:
- Chairman
- Trustee
- Chairman of the Board of Trustees
Lucy Armstrong is the Chair of the Board of Trustees. She has spent more than 30 years working with businesses to accelerate their development and success. She is currently Chair of the Port of Tyne Authority, Chair of the Cumbria based Holker Estate, and a Director of the Business Banking Resolution Service.
Lucy Armstrong brings a wealth of experience to Drinkaware. She has spent more than 30 years working with businesses to accelerate their development and success. Her experience ranges from funding start up and early-stage manufacturing businesses in the North East through to mergers and disposals of international operations. She is currently Chair of the Port of Tyne Authority, Chair of the Cumbria based Holker Estate, and a Director of the Business Banking Resolution Service.
Armstrong was educated at Oxford University and holds an MBA and an MSc in forensic psychology and criminology. Her early career was in private equity, corporate development and executive recruitment with 3i, Courtaulds Textiles and Tyzack.
Job Titles:
- Chief Financial Officer
- Trustee
Marc Dench has been Chief Financial Officer at the premium lifestyle clothing, homeware and accessories brand, Joules Group plc, since 2015. Prior to this he was Chief Financial Officer of Walgreen Boots Allliance's International Retail & Global Consumer Brands division.
Marc Dench has been Chief Financial Officer at the premium lifestyle clothing, homeware and accessories brand, Joules Group plc, since 2015. Prior to this he was Chief Financial Officer of Walgreen Boots Allliance's International Retail & Global Consumer Brands division.
Marc has also previously held several senior financial and corporate development positions at Alliance Boots, Homeserve, Experian and Freeserve plc. Marc is a chartered accountant and has an MBA from Sauder Business School.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Director and Chairman at Charles Wells Ltd
Paul Wells is a Director and Chairman at Charles Wells Ltd, the Bedford-based independent pub and brewing business.
Paul Wells is a Director and Chairman at Charles Wells Ltd, the Bedford-based independent pub and brewing business.
Paul joined the family-run company in the 1980's after training in hotel and catering and has worked in a wide variety of roles at the company spanning the brewing, retail and commercial operations. Paul has been a Council member of the British Beer & Pub Association (BBPA) since 1998 and is a Director of the Independent Family Brewers of Britain. He is currently a Warden of the Worshipful Company of Brewers in the City and non-executive chairman of Muntons Plc.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Finance & HR Committee
Penny has held a number of senior executive positions in the Social Enterprise sector. She is a former Chief Executive of Accession Social Enterprise CIC, Platform 51 (now the Young Women's Trust), the Jamie Oliver Foundation, and for 10 years, the fairtrade organisation Cafedirect.
Penny has held a number of senior executive positions in the Social Enterprise sector. She is a former Chief Executive of Accession Social Enterprise CIC, Platform 51 (now the Young Women's Trust), the Jamie Oliver Foundation, and for 10 years, the fairtrade organisation Cafedirect.
Penny was awarded the OBE for services to ethical business in 2008, and was appointed Social Enterprise Ambassador by the Cabinet Office in 2011. Currently, Penny is also a trustee of Producers Direct.
Penny is a member of Drinkaware's Finance & HR Committee.
Job Titles:
- Director, Marketing and Communications
A highly experienced senior marketing leader with expertise in brand strategy, communications, and customer experience in the consumer and charity sectors.
A highly experienced senior marketing leader with expertise in brand strategy, communications, and customer experience. Pru has worked for major consumer and charity brands including National Savings & Investments, Royal Mail, Comic Relief and Cancer Research UK.
She spent 10 years in award-winning London agencies before moving to the not-for-profit sector, most recently as Head of Marketing for the UK's largest charity dedicated to supporting people with arthritis, Versus Arthritis. Pru also has a Masters' degree in Marketing and Consumer Psychology from the University of Sussex and uses insight into why people make the decisions they do, to inform her career in social marketing.
Job Titles:
- Director, Digital, Data and Technology
An experienced digital director previously with charities, Relate and BeatBullying, and a number of digital agencies (including her own).
SDH joined Drinkaware in 2019. A designer by background, SDH is a very experienced digital director; previously with charities Relate and BeatBullying and a number of digital agencies (including her own).
SDH is responsible for our digital, data and tech workstreams, including the Drinkaware website, apps, tools, SEO and digital innovation. She has won a number of awards in digital marketing and innovation and has considerable experience in digital strategy including the development of impact frameworks.
Job Titles:
- Trustee
- Finance & HR Committee
Vicki held a number of senior corporate roles in the alcohol beverage industry in the UK and USA before her retirement from Diageo, where she had been Corporate Relations Director GB, in 2012.
Vicki held a number of senior corporate roles in the alcohol beverage industry in the UK and USA before her retirement from Diageo, where she had been Corporate Relations Director GB, in 2012.
Since then, Vicki has provided independent management consultancy services to a number of clients and serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Liberty Wines Limited.