Action Duchenne is governed by a dedicated Board of Trustees, all of whom are volunteers passionately committed to our vision of a world no longer limited by Duchenne muscular dystrophy
Vicky Pleydell
Vicky Pleydell
Vicky Pleydell is a retired GP with 35 years experience in the NHS, including 20 years combining general practice with NHS leadership and university educational roles. As a GP, she set up and developed a practice built around the health needs of service dependents at Catterick in North Yorkshire. Alongside this, Vicky worked in a succession of health service management organisations embedding clinical leadership to drive forward system-wide service innovation. As Chief Officer of Hambleton Richmondshire and Whitby Clinical Commissioning Group, she was responsible for commissioning health care for 150,000 people with an annual budget of £175m. Her experience with involving patients, carers, clinicians and the public in service development, and her commitment to compassionate care, aligns perfectly with our values.
“I am a mother of four and grandmother of four beautiful boys. One of my grandsons was diagnosed with Duchenne in 2016 aged just over 2. During my working life I was a GP for over 30 years and also worked in education and NHS management and leadership. As a doctor I was passionate about trying to design care that kept the individual, and their family at the centre and was not fragmented by rigid organisational structures and budgets. There is still much to do. As a grandmother to Sebastian I want to try to make a difference to the life he has, both personally but also if possible help to influence the world he inhabits in a wider sense, so he and others living with Duchenne have the best life possible.”
Emma Simmonds
Emma Simmonds
Emma is a highly organised, results orientated, effective senior executive within an outstanding specialist educational establishment supporting young people with complex medical needs. Emma has an excellent track record of both leading and managing teams to deliver strategic outcomes. She has supported families to navigate the complex and daunting process of EHCPs, SEN Appeals and Tribunals, attending the latter as an expert witness. Emma has extensive knowledge and experience of the legislation that underpins these frameworks, and strives to provide this information to young people and their families in the relevant format, ultimately ensuring that they have access to the right education and their health and care needs are met appropriately. Emma has supported Action Duchenne, and attended the international conferences for many years through her work, and is looking forward to what the future holds.
Greg Hill
Greg Hill
Greg is a Chartered Manager with over ten years’ experience in operations and people management across public services. He currently works as a Transactional Services Supervisor at Cafcass (Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service), where he supports large teams to deliver consistent, high-quality services. His background includes leading operational changes, improving compliance, and supporting staff development through apprenticeship programmes. Greg brings practical insight and a calm, structured approach to his role as trustee.
“Since Arthur’s Duchenne diagnosis, Action Duchenne has been an incredible source of support for our family. Their guidance has helped us navigate a challenging time, and it continues to be invaluable. Now, I’m honoured to join the board and use my professional experience in the public sector to do what I can to support this amazing charity and the Duchenne community.”
Anna Mabile
Anna Mabile
Anna Mabile is an experienced finance professional with over 15 years’ experience across a range of sectors. She brings a strong track record in financial leadership, operational delivery, and strategic planning. Over the course of her career, Anna has led on all aspects of financial management — including regulatory compliance, audits, ERP system implementations, and financial reporting — while supporting organisational change and growth.
She began her career through an apprenticeship at OPEL, later completing an MSc in Business Studies and achieving professional chartership with CIMA. Her work focuses on optimising financial performance and building effective communication between finance and non-financial stakeholders.
“I’m proud to join Action Duchenne as a Trustee. This cause resonates with me on a deeply personal level, and I’m committed to supporting the charity’s mission through strong financial stewardship and meaningful collaboration.”
Marion Main
Marion Main
Marion is a highly experienced neuromuscular physiotherapist previously with the Dubowitz Neuromuscular Centre at Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) in London, having retired from the NHS in 2024. She currently has an associate contract with UCL to continue teaching and advising on clinical research. Marion studied physiotherapy in Newcastle but has spent most of her career working in London. She worked in neuromuscular disorders for 35 years and was involved in the development of standards of care in SMA, Congenital Muscular Dystrophy and Congenital Myopathies. Marion has considerable experience in research and studied “Design for disability” for her Masters Degree getting two national awards for her work. She has a special interest in the use of orthotics and believes children should be stood from as young as possible. Marion has a love of teaching, having taught all over the world and has been very active during Covid doing regular on-line webinars for parents and children.
She was awarded the honour of a Fellowship of the Association of Paediatric Chartered Physiotherapists in 2021 in recognition of her work.
Marion has previously been a trustee of The Jennifer Trust for Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Now SMAUK) and a school governor when her children were at primary school. She currently works with REMAP. She loves walking especially on coastal paths, keeping fit (she has a Labrador which takes her for walks), has run the occasional 10k and still plays netball!
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