Heather Cook has spent the past 15 years working in digital health, developing evidence-based programmes that help people make meaningful, lasting changes to their health and wellbeing.

She has held CEO and Managing Director roles in organisations focused on improving outcomes for people living with neurodiverse conditions, mental health challenges and addiction.

Heather has worked extensively with health systems in the UK and has spent time in the United States exploring innovative recovery models, including personalised behavioural health and recovery ecosystems that support long-term change.

She is passionate about combining technology, community support and lived experience to help people build healthier, more hopeful futures.

Heather says: “What matters most to me is creating systems that genuinely help people turn their lives around. I’m honoured to support Via and the extraordinary work they do every day.”

Jennifer began her career working in the hotel industry before moving into operational and commercial management working across a number of business streams from healthcare, defence to business and industry.

After completing a MA in Human Resource Management, she now brings over two decades of executive leadership experience, specialising in people strategy, culture, and ethical governance.

She has worked extensively in the healthcare sector and led large, diverse workforces through major organisational change, cultural transformation, and complex governance programmes.

Her exposure to services supporting individuals affected by substance dependency has deepened her understanding of the realities surrounding stigma, wellbeing, and recovery, reinforcing her commitment to person‑centred, values‑led support.

Jennifer is proud to serve Via and champion its mission of positive, lasting change.

She says: “What matters most to me is that every person feels valued, listened to, and treated with dignity. Recovery is a human journey, and dignity must sit at its heart.”

Claire is currently the Chief General Counsel and Company Secretary of Capita – a major strategic supplier to the UK Government. She further acts as Chair of the Capita AI, Data and Cloud Council.

Having commenced her legal career in private practice, Claire has over 25 years of both corporate/commercial private and in-house legal experience; in UK listed and internationally quoted organisations. She has worked in the business sectors of financial services, telecoms/technology and business outsourcing.

Claire says: “I am incredibly honoured to be joining Via as one of their trustees and giving my support to the vital work the charity provides to the people who use its services, their families and the wider communities. I hope to share the knowledge and experience I have gained throughout my legal career, particularly in relation to the fundamental cornerstones of governance and responsible business.”

Pedro is currently the Commercial Director at one of the leading private providers of short-term accommodation and support services in the public sector. 

He has worked in the non-for-profit sector for a number of years, primarily in housing associations, across a range of finance roles. More recently he has focused on engaging with local authorities to explore and consider new opportunities to improve services in their communities whilst providing value-for-money in the delivery of these services. 

These roles have helped develop a strong sense of social purpose where the success of a business is not simply measured in the profits generated but rather by the difference made to people’s lives.  

Pedro says: “I’m delighted to join Via as a trustee to support the organisation as it seeks to expand its reach and continue to provide support to its service users on their own journeys around alcohol dependency and drug use.” 

Magda is a chartered accountant with several years of experience working with charities and membership organisations in the education and museum sectors. She is currently the Finance and Operations Director at MyBnk, a charity which creates and delivers innovative, high-impact and high-energy financial education programmes across the UK.  

Previously, she worked as Finance and Operations at the British Institute of Radiology, an international membership organisation for professionals in imaging, radiation oncology, and the underlying sciences. She was also governor for a primary school.  

Magda lives in Billericay, Essex with her family. She looks forward to assisting Via to support people to transform their lives for the better. 

Lloyd is Managing Director of Cogniss, a no-code ecosystem for creating digital health solutions without the need for developers.  

He is a clinical psychologist by background with an MBA from the European School of Management and Technology Berlin. Lloyd began his career in psychological research before working in the NHS and then going on to found and create Breaking Free Online, the world’s first digital therapeutic for addiction.  

Lloyd has since helped scale multiple healthcare innovations spanning digital therapeutics, personal health records, and digital health infrastructure. He is an NHS Innovation Accelerator alumnus and advises startups, international accelerators, and global bodies including the World Health Organisation.  

Lloyd says: “I’m excited to join such a progressive and forward thinking organisation, the energy and passion for helping people on their road to recovery shone through and matches my desire to drive as much impact as possible for the most people. Innovation and challenging the status quo has been at the heart of what I have done for the past few decades and so and it’s great to be a part of Via, which shares this vision.” 

James brings over a decade of experience in fostering, policy, and service innovation to his role as a trustee of Via.

Currently an Assistant Director at The Fostering Network, James leads programmes focused on recruitment, retention, and sector improvement. He has previously worked across charity and local government settings to champion the voices of care-experienced children and young people, strengthen support for foster carers, and influence national policy.  

James says: “As a former foster carer I have seen up close the impact drugs and alcohol have on children and families and the devastation that ensues. I would love to see greater rates of recovery so families can be re-united and supported to thrive.” 

Don is currently the Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (Ciarb) He is former CEO of the Personal Finance Society and boasts a highly successful career marked by his exceptional leadership and transformative contributions across various sectors.

Before assuming his role at the PFS, Don played a pivotal role as Interim CEO of the UK Cyber Security Council, a newly established self-regulating body.  Under his guidance, the council successfully navigated its critical ‘start-up’ phase, evolving from a transitional team into a fully operational entity.

Prior to that, Don served as the Global Director of Business Development for one of the largest global health care NGOs.  

Known for his outstanding communication skills, collaborative spirit, and strategic acumen, Don has consistently demonstrated his ability to build successful teams and drive positive change. His career, characterised by excellence in economic development, international development, and membership and association industries, stands as a testament to his leadership prowess and dedication to driving meaningful transformation. 

Jamie is a senior leader in the addiction and mental health sector. He has led services supporting individuals in both custodial and community settings, including serving as CEO of Steps2Recovery. He is currently Director of Outpatient Services at Castle Health, overseeing the development and delivery of outpatient and continuing care services across the UK and Europe.  

In addition, Jamie also serves as a Trustee at StandOut, a charity supporting people leaving prison to find employment, and is actively involved in campaigning for ethical practice in the addiction treatment sector, advocating for transparency and accountability to protect those seeking help. 

Jamie says: “I’m passionate about delivering services that are not only ethical and evidence-based but also genuinely responsive to the needs of those we support. Effective delivery means ensuring that care is accessible, transparent, and truly person-centred. It also means supporting the staff who deliver that care: valuing their work, listening to their experience, and enabling them to do their jobs well. I’m proud to serve Via, whose values and practices align so closely with these principles.” 

Charles is a widely recognised leader and expert in the health and social care sector, with a particular interest and focus on mental health. He brings a strong track record of strategic leadership, effective governance, and measurable community impact. 

He is currently a Non-Executive Director for North London NHS Foundation Trust which provides mental health services and has chaired the Finance and Investment Committee for 10 years. In addition, he is also Chair of CHKS Advisory Board and the Friends of the National Archives. 

Working in a number of high-level roles across multiple NHS Trusts has meant Charles has overseen large-scale development projects as well as managing complex stakeholder environments with CCGs, local government and funding organisations. Charles has also worked as a special advisor to inspections at the Care Quality Commission (CQC), supporting the important work it does around quality, culture and governance. 

As our Chair, he will play a pivotal role in guiding our vision and long-term strategy. 

Charles says: “I am thrilled and delighted to be Chair of Via. The organisation embodies my values and provides effective support to some of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged groups in society. I hope, during my tenure, to lead the Board and build on the success of recent years.”