Team members
Meet our awesome team
AJ Brown
Behaviour Support Assistant
Alex Wigmore
Futures Administrator
Andrew Willshire
Andrew joined Autism Unlimited as a Trustee in December 2020. Andrew is keen to support the charity in all areas, with a particular focus on HR. Andrew wants to see the charity continue to be a force for good in supporting individuals and families across the region.
Anna Hewitt
Deputy Head Teacher at Portfield School, Portfield School
Bianca Moore
Occupational Therapist
Carly Bourton
Talent Partner
Carly Marchant
Dance Movement Psychotherapist
Carol Mccoll
Assistant Head Teacher
Charley Martin
Senior Talent Partner
Corné Van Deventer
Work Experience Coordinator
Dela Begum
Area Manager East
Donna Wearn
HR and Training Director
Emma Williams
Emma comes with both professional and personal experience of autism. She has a keen interest in enabling people to reach their full potential and develop skills in their local community, particularly in the area of employment and training. She is excited about the development of the Futures programme.
Erin Jones
Assistant Head Teacher
Fran Snell
Senior School Administrator, Portfield School
Gemma Cowley
Speech and Language Therapist
Gina Wagland
Head Teacher at Portfield School
Harry Redknapp
Ambassador - Football Manager and TV pundit Harry joined the charity as our first Ambassador in 2015. Committed to helping us to raise our profile, Harry launched the Interactive Room at Portfield School.
Hugh Dampney
Hugh's aspirations for Autism Unlimited are to support the staff to ensure that the people we support continue to be well looked-after, and develop their potential as far as they can.
Jacki Goldsmith
Head of Therapy
James Brazier - Interim Chair of Trustees
James is enthusiastic, empathetic and proactive in his approach, and his vision for Autism Unlimited is to support the charity externally and help Autism Unlimited to grow in both stature and size.
Jan Cresswell
Jan brings conviction and a commitment to compassionate practice to her role as a trustee. She aims to use her education leadership experience to support the charity in being ambitious for the flourishing of autistic individuals and their families. Jan is keen to see Autism Unlimited become a leading national voice in training employers and shaping inclusive, supportive communities where people living with autism will thrive.
Jan Thurgood
Jan joined Autism Unlimited as a Trustee in July 2022. She brings experience of autism though her career in children's and adult social services and her personal life. She is passionate about enabling children and adults to fulfil their potential and about providing the best possible support and development opportunities to staff.
Jessica Harris
Speech and Language Therapist
Julie Shield
Julie is determined, proactive and passionate about the potential for Autism Unlimited, and brings real-world experience and understanding of autism to her role. Julie’s vision is to represent the parent voice and help the charity fulfil its potential.
Kate Barrall
Futures Lead
Kirsten Readhead
Occupational Therapist, PCST
Leah Bran
School Counsellor, PCST
Lisa Margetts
Music Therapist, PCST
Matt Egan
Futures Coach
Megan Saunders
Behaviour Support Assistant
Meherzin Das
Living with Autism is hardly easy and takes a lifetime of strength and courage. Having joined AU as a Trustee in 2020, Meherzin is determined to support the excellent work being done to further the mental and physical health of both, people living with autism as well as their family and friends. In addition, she is keen to ensure that while staff working within the unlimited scope of AU give their best while caring for their clients, their own wellbeing is also looked after so that they have enriched working lives. As a Consultant Clinical Psychologist, Meherzin wears many hats: she is the Lead for Wellbeing and Psychological Professions for the Dorset Integrated Care System, Trustwide Lead for Psychology and Psychological Therapies for Dorset HealthCare and Clinical Lead for the Dorset Pain Management Service. She truly believes that being a psychologist is the best job in the world!
Melanie Foster
I am very much looking forward to contributing to the valuable work of Autism Unlimited and taking on the role of trustee. I began my career as a special educational needs teacher in Inner London and continued my passion in leading SEND within both Local Authorities and Charities. I have been part of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Autism as Eduction Development Lead with the National Autistic Society and a member of the The National Special Educational Needs and Disability Forum attended by the DfE. I have always been passionate about people and purpose and committed to social justice to enable all students to feel valued, safe and secure. I live in Hertfordshire, and although semi-retired, continue to work with schools and Local Authorities, particularly focusing on developing autistic provision. When I am not working, I love spending time with my family.
Nicky Edwards
Assistant Head Teacher
Paula Rufete
Futures Coach
Paul Thomas
Director of Adult Support
Pippa Muroe
Behaviour Support Assistant, PCST
Poonam Jina
Speech and Language Therapist
Professor Mark Brosnan
Mark has a thorough understanding of autism research and the implications for the lives of autistic people and their families/ advocates. Mark hopes his understanding of what constitutes good evidence can help support the charity to achieve the best possible outcomes for autistic people.
Sally Anne Coombs
Area Manger West
Siún Cranny
CEO
Sophia Grech
Ambassador - Internationally acclaimed mezzo-soprano opera singer Sophia is one of our Ambassadors. Diagnosed with autism at the age of 45, Sophia is passionate about raising understanding and awareness of autism.
Sue Hamilton-White
Art Psychotherapist
Tilly Larment
Futures Manager
Tim Bowden
Futures Coach
Tom Errington
Futures Coach
Tony Rudd
Ambassador - Impressionist and comedian, Tony Rudd, became one of our Ambassadors in 2020. Tony was diagnosed with Asperger’s aged 55 and is passionate about embracing autism and the creativeness it can bring. Tony manages a radio station for children with disabilities alongside his career in the public eye.
