Meet the team

The executive leadership team is responsible for the day-to-day management of the organisation. Dragonfly Cancer Trust is governed by a board of trustees. They ensure that as an organisation we are effective in working towards achieving our vision, using our resources to maximum effect and upholding our core ethos and values.

Our Trustees

Neil Sewell,
Co- Chair of Trustees

Neil was born and bred in Newcastle upon Tyne, he’s married to Jill, has two daughters and a wonderful granddaughter. He has been a Trustee for Dragonfly Cancer Trust for five years, having been involved with the charity for a couple of years prior to this. Neil has enjoyed seeing our growth from a small, local charity to where we are now, supporting a UK network of hospices and hospitals. 

For Neil, being a Trustee has allowed him to be a part of creating those special moments with families who are going through one of their toughest moments anyone is ever likely to face. Neil enjoys meeting with hospices and groups to promote our Dragonfly strategy, raising the profile of the Trust and the great work it does to help young people.

Sam Lock,
Co-Chair of Trustees

Sam is a healthcare Executive with nearly 15 years’ experience spanning the public and private sectors. Currently a Regional Chief Operating Officer for HCA Healthcare UK, Sam’s roles have covered operational, commercial and financial remits; including distressed hospital recovery programmes whilst with PwC.

As a Trustee, Sam is passionate about supporting the charity with accessing prospective beneficiaries; aiming to help those who may not have otherwise had the opportunity

He lives with his family, including two energetic sons and a one-eyed French bulldog, in the West Midlands.

David Harker, Treasurer / Trustee

David is an accountant and former partner with Deloitte having worked with clients across government and public services in the UK and internationally. 

David now runs his own management consulting business and is a non-executive director at several companies in the UK and abroad.

Claire Pickersgill, Trustee

Claire is the founder and managing director of House of Hype & Co. a PR, Social Media and Personal Branding agency based in Sunderland and operating across the UK.

With 15 years plus experience in the communications arena Claire has a wealth of experience in communications strategy, specifically in the field of PR, social media and forging B2B collaborations and partnerships. 

Her background at the Sunderland Empire theatre saw her manage regional communications campaigns for some of the biggest touring theatre productions.

When she is not working Claire is a keen fitness fan and can usually be found at bootcamps, running or boxing!

Claire will work with the board and bring her expertise to further strategize and elevate the charities communications strategy further through the role, to support with further profile raising and opportunities.

Matthew Cook,
Trustee

Our Ambassadors

Ben Dawson, Ambassador

Ben is currently First Team Development Coach at Newcastle United Football Club where he has been a coach for over 15 years spanned over two periods at the club. In between his two stints at NUFC he worked for The Football Association as a coach developer in the professional game.
He originally began his coaching career with Newcastle City Council’s Football Development Scheme and moved across to Newcastle United Foundation when the club’s charity was created.
 
His involvement with Dragonfly Cancer Trust began when the charity made Newcastle its central base at the same time as the loss of his mother to cancer. He has since utilised his sporting connections to help a number of young cancer patients fulfil some of their sporting-related dreams and create memories for those young people and their families.

Dan Buckley, Running Ambassador

Dan is a coach in running fitness who is delighted to be assisting Dragonfly cancer Trust as our Running Ambassador. He has experience in all running disciplines to include, 5k, 10k, half marathon, marathon and ultra marathons.

Dan’s role is to coach, encourage, mentor and make sure that you are the best runner you can be, whether you are faster or slower, his focus is “the finish line, not finish time.”

Dan’s focus is not only on running itself but nutrition, strength and conditioning, and having a positive mental attitude so you can complete your running goals.

Dan lives in Heaton, Newcastle upon Tyne with his partner (and dog, Ollie) and fills his time with running (obviously) whilst also being a keen part of the coaching team at Tyne Bridge Harriers and spends most of his Saturdays at one of the many parkruns in the Newcastle area.

Dan is very much looking forward to working with Dragonfly Cancer Trust to support and enhance the incredible work we do.