About us

Garry has been Director of the Institute for Health and Care Improvement since it was launched in 2023. He leads the Research Pillar and is a Professor of Clinical Exercise Science.

Spencer has recently joined the Institute for Health and Care Improvement as Deputy Director. He works part time for the institute and part-time as a Senior Manager for the Humber and North Yorkshire Cancer Alliance.

As manager of the institute, Vicki facilitates opportunities for researchers and projects that aim to improve health, wellbeing and care in the community.

Sophie is the Research Administrator for SPACES - an NIHR funded programme of research to develop and evaluate a coproduced physical activity intervention for people with serious mental illness. Sophie also supports the work of the Institute.

Vanessa leads the Health and Care Research & Evaluation Service which undertakes project evaluation and primary research that is commissioned by health organisations, local authorities, charities and third sector organisations. She has previously undertaken a wide variety of research and evaluation projects while working for Essex County Council and the School of Health and Social Care at the University of Essex.

Divine leads our partnership with Tees Esk and Wear Valley NHS Foundation Trust. He is Programme Director for the Doctorate of Counselling Psychology at York St John University and is a Professor of Counselling Psychology.

Amie joined the Institute in 2023. Amie delivers research on the impact of physical activity and exercise on cardiovascular disease risk. She is currently leading on a community-based research programme to improve cardiovascular health in menopause.

Garcia joined the Institute in 2024 as a University Research Fellow. Her research focuses on physical activity, mental health, weight stigma and body image.

Alex joined the Institute in 2023. Her main priority is delivering research in the field of bereavement support for children and families. Alex is very interested in participatory research and is currently working on projects supporting families following brain injury and supporting bereaved children in a forest setting. Alex also works as a Matron for end-of-life at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust.

Philip Hodgson is a Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust and a part-time PhD candidate at York St John University. His clinical background is in adult mental health, with his research investigating the interplay between physical and psychological health.

Frances joined the Institute in 2023. Her main priority is delivering research in the field of pulmonary rehabilitation and chronic respiratory disease. Frances also works as Advanced Clinical Specialist Physiotherapist in Pulmonary Rehabilitation and Respiratory Outpatients at York and Scarborough Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

David is a Professor of Emotional Intelligence in Care. His work focuses on the education of health and social care professionals and the application of theories of person centredness towards self, drawing from the field of emotional intelligence.

Matthew is the programme manager for SPACES -an NIHR funded programme of research to develop and evaluate a coproduced physical activity intervention for people with serious mental illness.