We are a talented, diverse and dedicated team. We all share a passion for delivering the very best training programmes that help transform people’s lives.
Our X-PERT team led by Dr Trudi Deakin are specialist educators, researchers, trainers, nurses, dietitians, personal trainers and customer service specialists.
'We believe that by
understanding their
condition people
can transform
their lives'
Trudi is Chief Executive of X-PERT Health and specialises in the research, development, implementation and audit of structured education for the public and healthcare professionals internationally. Trudi’s first degree in Nutrition and Dietetics was obtained in 1993, followed by a teaching qualification in 1998 and a doctorate in diabetes, behaviour change and self-management education in 2004.
As the founder of X-PERT Health and the author of the original portfolio of X-PERT programmes, Trudi has trained over 1,500 healthcare professionals to become X-PERT educators, which has resulted in the delivery of structured education to over 250,000 people at risk of, or diagnosed with diabetes. She has published widely and has demonstrated that implementation of the X-PERT programme is a cost saving strategy that not only results in statistically significant improvements in all clinical and quality of life indicators but also reduces the requirement for prescribed medication.
Her ambition is to further develop professional and patient education systems that increase competences to enable people to successfully prevent or manage long-term health conditions, improving health and well-being, and saving healthcare costs. A visiting fellow at the University of Hertfordshire and a founding member and trustee of the Public Health Collaboration enables, the continuation of research and development in nutritional education and the ability to raise awareness of evidence-based lifestyle approaches for optimal health.
helen.knight@xperthealth.org.uk
After spending many years in executive recruitment and later as an Office Manager within a private respite care company Helen returned to her home-town of Hebden Bridge and joined X-PERT Health as Operations Manager in January 2014. Helen is responsible for all new licensees, the audit database and supporting the “X-PERT Team” exceed customer expectations and have fun whilst doing it! Outside of work Helen is an avid gardener, loves to up-cycle old furniture, renovate properties and is a keen baker.
sean.wheatley@xperthealth.org.uk
Sean started working for X-PERT Health in 2016, and became the Science and Research Lead in June 2019. He was previously a part-time lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, where he also completed his PhD looking at cardiometabolic health in young people. Sean developed his keen interest in the prevention and management of chronic diseases whilst studying sports science at university (BSc and MSc). Outside of work he is a wannabe wildlife photographer and a semi-retired Saturday league footballer who loves a stroll out in the British countryside.
matthew.whitaker@xperthealth.org.uk
Matt knew he wanted to pursue a career helping others achieve their health goals at scale after he achieved his own- losing 6 ½ stone. Before joining X-PERT, Matt studied Nutrition (BSc), Exercise Nutrition (MSc) and worked in professional sport. Since joining the team he has led the development of X-PERT Weight and is actively digitising our X-PERT Diabetes Programme. Outside of work Matt loves a bit of powerlifting and when not at the gym enjoys binge watching box sets on his massive telly.
trudi.reeves@xperthealth.org.uk
Trudi is a Specialist Educator who has enjoyed a career in diabetes spanning more than 25 years. Her interest in diabetes began in primary care before becoming a Diabetes Specialist Nurse, later moving to NHS Diabetes as Regional Manager then Head of Commissioning & Primary Care, a national role working with commissioners, providers, diabetes leaders and DoH to improve both policy and delivery of services across England. Happiest when working with people and playing a round of golf.
Nina joined the team in April 2018 and is relatively new in her career in public health. Her passion developed following her studies in Psychology (BSc) and Nutrition (MSc). She gained experience working with community outreach programmes delivering cookery skills and educating the public about food and nutrition. She is a registered associate nutritionist and veggie obsessed! As an avid and seasoned traveller, Nina’s time away from work usually involves visiting another country or attempting a muddy trail run closer to home.
paul.hollinrake@xperthealth.org.uk
Paul has enjoyed a fulfilling career in the health and wellness industry spanning over 25 years. During this time, he has worked as a personal trainer alongside lecturing at various universities. In the classroom, you can sense his passion for health and wellbeing and believes that anyone can make positive changes to their lifestyle with the correct information, support and guidance. At home, he spends his time stopping his cat eating his fish and loves exploring the UK countryside by foot and cycle.
lisa.graham@xperthealth.org.uk
Lisa has been with X-PERT Health for 5 years, bringing with her over 20 years of executive assistant and secretarial experience in numerous NHS sectors including Urology and Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS). In her spare time Lisa loves Art & Culture and you will often find her seeking out galleries, museums and heritage hot spots. She is also an avid smiler, a people watcher and regularly practices kettlebell Turkish ‘Get-Ups’ to keep fit.
hannah.knight@xperthealth.org.uk
Hannah joined X-PERT Health as an Apprentice Administration Assistant in 2017 after finishing her A-Levels. In the past two years she has gained a new title and has taken on the responsibility of assisting our Finance Manager. Whilst Hannah has taken on her new role she is still a primary contact within the Customer Service Team. Hannah has an interest in interior design and loves to keep up with decorating her new home. She has also recently become the proud owner of a cockapoo puppy.
anna.simkin@xperthealth.org.uk
Anna started working for X-PERT Health as an Apprentice Administration Assistant in 2018 and enjoys being the Charity’s primary contact for customer enquiries. She studied Health and Social Care for three years at Huddersfield New College and gained knowledge on different long term health conditions. Anna also volunteered at a SEN school & a care home. In her spare time she loves going to events and festivals around Europe and enjoys visiting various countries and experiencing their cultures with friends & family.
Michelle joined the X-PERT team in January 2019 having previously managed a finance team in the security industry. Her organised, thorough and meticulous approach ensures the smooth running of the Company finances (so she says). She has successfully completed her Level 2, 3 & 4 AAT qualifications and commenced studies of her ACCA examinations. Out of work Michelle loves a bit of yoga, doing up her house and getting out socialising if she has any time and isn't running around after her little two year old son.
lyndon.roper@xperthealth.org.uk
Lyndon joined X-PERT in April 2019 after 20 years working for some leading creative marketing agencies. He's now putting his knowledge to use as our Business Development Manager to help extend the coverage and commissioning of our programmes. When he's not at work he hand screen prints his own range of sweatshirts on vintage garments and loves to upcycle random bits of furniture. Don't buy new he says. He also spends far too much money on craft ale and records. What a hipster.
David's accolades include Head of the Environment Department at Manchester Polytechnic/Metropolitan University for 18 years, as well as serving on many government committees and Quangos, including English Heritage, Countryside Commission, Rural Development Commission and Heritage lottery Fund.
Alan is a senior lecturer in digital marketing at Leeds Beckett University and a Director of Strategic Planet Ltd, a digital marketing agency. Alan has over 25 years’ experience of working in industry, much of this was in the health sector. He has a PhD in Social Marketing, which focused on the challenges of influencing positive health behaviours of those individuals living with diabetes.
Stephen graduated from Leeds University Medical School in 1987 and completed a BSc (Hons) degree in Chemical Pathology during his intercalated year. He has worked as a Medical Advisor for Prisons at the Department of Health, where he participated in an award-winning prison diabetes study. He is interested in critical appraisal of evidence-based medicine and diabetes commissioning.
Rt Hon David Shutt is a Liberal Democrat Life peer sitting in the House of Lords since 12 May 2000. David currently sits on the EU Financial Affairs Sub-Committee (since June 2015) and the Lords Audit Committee since December 2014.