Trustees
Kay Purnell – Chair
BA (Hons) Business Studies
Kay has extensive experience of business development and general management with leading providers in the Orthotic device & clinical services sector and continues to be a representative of the BHTA at trustee meetings.
Working alongside clinicians and technicians, Kay has promoted the profile of orthotics within the health service via contributions to industry papers and was involved in the development of the O & P Technician Training course in recent years.
Faye Dearden – Trustee
Faye qualified from Salford University in 1997 with a BSc (Hons) in Prosthetics and Orthotics. She started working in Norwich, then moved to the Midlands where she became specialised in paediatrics. In 2007 she completed an MSc in Rehabilitation with the University of Strathclyde, which included a thesis on comparison of stock and bespoke functional foot orthoses in adolescents with symptomatic flat feet. She has published articles on Lycra socks and ankle contracture correction devices for Duchene muscular dystrophy. In recent years Faye has become interested in functional electrical stimulation (FES). Faye provides an orthotics service for Opcare in Hereford.
Martin Matthews – Trustee
M.Phil, Dip OPTEC; MBAPO
Orthotic Clinical Specialist
Martin Matthews qualified in 1981 as an orthotist from Salford Polytechnic College, before moving to Norwich in 1991. He developed his speciality in paediatrics and scoliosis management, working closely with other allied health professions in combined therapy / orthotics clinics at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital NHS Trust.
He has always encompassed innovation in the field of orthotics and has developed the use and design options of dynamic elastomeric fabric orthoses (DEFOs) over the last 20 years. In 2008 he gained research Master of Philosophy Degree (University of East Anglia) investigating the effects of DEFOs on the child with diplegia and has presented internationally at numerous orthotic and physiotherapy conferences on scoliosis orthotic intervention in children with neuropathic onset scoliosis. Along with fellow researchers he has published a number of paper on scoliosis management using DEFOs to slow or reverse scoliosis in children with cerebral palsy without the need for rigid bracing. He has published numerous papers in international peer reviewed journals and presented at many international conferences in orthotics and physiotherapy, including AACPDM, SOSORT, ISPO, BAPO and AAOP academic meetings. He was the orthotic external examiner for the University of Salford Orthotic and Prosthetic degree course for 6 years and is currently Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Plymouth, Faculty of Health, School of Health Professions.
He is responsible for the research and development at DM Orthotics Ltd, developing further the uses and functions of DEFOs in the field of sports, neurological dysfunction and musculo- skeletal rehabilitation in corroboration with several universities around the world. The latest research has been on incorporation of functional electrical stimulation within the Dynamic Movement Orthoses (DMO) dorsiflex open backed socks, utilising a patented membrane that removes the need for gel electrodes requiring direct skin contact to be effective.
Andrew Lodge – Trustee
Andrew qualified as an orthotist in 1983 from Salford College of Technology. Initially employed by HW Poole and Son, from 1993 part of the Remploy Healthcare Group. He worked across the North of England over the following years with a spell in the East of Scotland from 1991-94 working in both Edinburgh and Fife.
After being made redundant from a management position in 2005 he set up as an independent clinician and has since provided both NHS and commercial services as a locum in addition to building his own private practice.
He currently treats patients in his own private clinical practice, prepares medico legal reports, is the UK importer and distributor for the Blount’s KAFO and is Clinical Director for a Nottingham company producing support garments.
Throughout his career he has maintained an interest in continuing clinical development with a specialist interest in the treatment of neurologically impaired children.
Andy Dewsbury – Trustee
Andy Dewsbury started work at R Taylor & Sons in 1979 and after 2 years, went to run their satellite workshop at RJAH Orthopaedic Hospital, with Remploy Healthcare taking over the Contract in 1985 until 1992.
Andy was employed by the NHS to set up a new workshop for the NHS which developed gradually over a number of years. In 2009, Andy left the NHS to begin a new challenge with Beagle Orthopaedic Ltd to develop the Custom Fabrication Facility within the company.
Andy was one of the co-founders of the BAPO Technician Committee and was chair of the Committee for 2 years. He also sat on the BAPO Conference Committee with the Technical Programme as his remit. Andy is also trained as a Limited Orthotic Practitioner.
Barry Campbell – Trustee
Barry qualified from Strathclyde University in 1999 with a BSc (Hons) in Prosthetics and Orthotics. He started working in Essex as an Orthotist for Steeper group before moving to the North East in 2004. Barry held the position of External Examiner for Strathclyde University between 2020 and 2024 and is currently an examiner for the Orthotics exams. Barry has held the position of Orthotic Training Manager for Steeper Group since 2014 and Senior Clinical Service Manager for Orthotics since 2019. He also specialises in Paediatric Orthotics.
Beth Pitcairn – Trustee
Beth qualified as a Prosthetist Orthotist from Strathclyde University in 1997 and has extensive experience leading transformation and quality improvement across orthotic services. She has delivered large‑scale service change and mobilisation across the UK, with a focus on patient pathways, MDT collaboration and practical education that helps the orthotic workforce translate evidence into everyday care. Beth is passionate about widening access to CPD and supporting early‑career professionals to build confidence and capability. As an OETT Trustee, she champions fair, transparent funding that prioritises postgraduate learning and skills development ensuring education drives improvements in orthotic services and patient outcomes.
Brewin Dolphin
James and Julian are the dedicated investment managers from Brewin Dolphin who manage the investment portfolio to meet the needs of the charity. They apply their investment expertise and are supported by Brewin Dolphin’s expert research team.
Their role is to select and monitor the most suitable blend of asset classes within the charity’s portfolio, in line with the charity’s objectives. They continually monitor and amend the portfolio to ensure it retains an optimum mix of assets for the prevailing economic conditions and specified risk requirement.
James Hayley Bell, Director, Wealth Manager – Charities
James joined Brewin Dolphin in 2008 as a founding member of the London Charities Team and offers a breadth of experience from managing multi-asset class portfolios for a variety of charities and institutions. He is a Fellow of The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment and holds the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment Diploma. Away from the office, and when not spending time with his family, he can often be found watching rugby or playing golf.