After graduating in physiology and medicine, Phil practised family medicine as a GP in Sheffield for thirty-four years. A growing interest in plant-based holistic care resulted in an honours degree in Herbal Medicine at Lincoln College. Expecting to emerge as a doctor with additional skills in herbal medicine, he is now proud to realise that he is a herbalist with previous experience of general practice.Phil practices an integrated approach to herbal medicine and is particularly interested in helping those who need to combine a herbal approach with their conventional medical treatment.

Phil has been on Council since 2017, and has been heavily involved in developing the relationships between herbalists and conventional practitioners, as well as using his creative skills to publicise and promote the Institute. He was elected as President in 2019.

Term ends: 2021

James joined the Institute in 2018. His background is in business consultancy, having spent over 15 years working as part of senior teams within the banking and insurance sectors.

James has overall responsibility for both the strategic leadership and operational management of the organisation, and running our head office team in Exeter. He brings valuable experience of commercial decision making and corporate governance, as well as a strong advocacy of herbal medicine.

Alongside ensuring the Institute's sustainability and developing the support it offers its members, he also works extensively with other organisations to promote herbal medicine and improve patient uptake.

Emma graduated from the University of Lincoln with a Bsc(Hons) Herbal Medicine and joined the institute in the autumn of 2015.  Since 1992, she has been a practicing multidisciplinary therapist and now works predominantly with herbal medicine, homeopathy, biodynamic craniosacral therapy and functional medicine.  She has a full time practice in Suffolk working from a busy Osteopathy and physiotherapy clinic as well as her own independent clinic. She has a PGCE teaching qualification and lectures on a variety on subjects around the UK and Ireland.

Emma has been on the Parliamentary Committee since 2016, and became a member of Council in 2017. With a background in business and finance within the agricultural industry, and as an experienced financial director, she became Honorary Treasurer in 2018.

Term ends: 2021

Before finding herbalism, Emma had worked in the horticultural sector for number of years. After having her son she took the opportunity to retrain as a medical herbalist and graduated from an honours degree in Herbal Medicine at Lincoln in 2016. Emma is passionate about promoting natural health and wellbeing and is very much a community herbalist at heart.

Since graduating she has collaborated with other herbalists in her local area to set-up a monthly group that invites the public to come and learn more about herbal medicine and teach how it can help improve and support people’s health. Part of her work with this group includes presenting talks, workshops and guided medicinal plant walks in and around the South Lincolnshire area. Emma also runs a herbal clinic treating patients for a range of health conditions.

Emma has been on Council since November 2018 and focusses on member support and how the Institute can promote itself in new ways to reach a larger audience. She is also Secretary to the Accreditation Board.

Term ends: 2021

Hananja has practiced herbal medicine extensively both in the UK and in Switzerland, working in private practice, in clinics and in hospitals for over 20 years. She qualified as a Naturopath in 1982 and then as a Medical Herbalist in 1990. In 1995, Hananja helped pioneer Britain’s first BSc degree in Herbal Medicine in partnership with Middlesex University, where she practiced at the Middlesex University training clinic.

She has lectured widely throughout the UK for her specialist experience in gynaecology and paediatrics, and at present is Clinical Director and teaches Plant Sciences, Herbal Therapeutics at Heartwood (Professional course for herbal medicine), and has co-written a book with Adrian McDermot  'Herbal Medicine in Treating Gynaecological Conditions: Herbs, Hormones, Pre-Menstrual Syndrome and Menopause.' Hananja has also contributed to the BBC series and accompanying books 'Grow your own drugs', and co-edited the book 'Herbal Exchanges’.

Hananja has been a Council member since 2011.

Term ends: 2021

Nick holds a First Class Honours degree in Herbal Medicine from the University of Central Lancashire, and received the 2008 Trillium Award for best final year student.

He is a Registered General Nurse who has worked in health and health research for over 20 years. He also holds Bachelors, Masters and Doctoral degrees in Computer Science, with over 25 years experience of theoretical and applied research in Health Informatics, with a particular focus on Health Records and Terminologies. He regularly provides advice to organisations such as the UK Department of Health on informatics issues.

Term ends: 2021

Melinda holds a first-class Master of Science degree from Middlesex University and received two national awards during her studies.

Melinda has a particular passion for women’s health and supporting women through the menopause. Originally from Australia, her previous career as a journalist and documentary-maker has given her the great skill of listening deeply, knowing the right questions to ask and the ability to get to the heart of complex conditions.

Melinda was elected to the Institute's Council in 2020

Martin has been in practice since graduating from The University of Lincoln in 2010 with a BSc (Hons) in Herbal Medicine, and has been a member of the Institute throughout that time.

He utilises a variety of therapeutics including herbal medicine and nutritional advice, as well as dietary and lifestyle counselling.

Whilst at the University of Lincoln, Martin conducted pioneering research using natural therapies into treating diabetic foot ulcers, and his work was recognised by being awarded a 1st for his dissertation. He firmly believes that continuing this path provides a balance between orthodox “evidence based” treatment strategies, and connecting this to the ancient wisdom of plant medicines - which has been used by man for thousands of years.

Martin has a special interest in Type 2 diabetes, and metabolic syndrome leading to him being a Cambridge Weight Plan™ Consultant for 9 years, over which time he has helped many hundreds of happy clients.

Martin is a clinical training tutor for the Heartwood Professional Program and has been delighted to take on students for their clinical practice hours in his busy Garden Clinic in Lincoln.

Martin was elected to serve on the Institute’s Council in 2020, and is looking forward to working with his colleagues in helping to continue to modernise and re-invigorate the Institute for the benefit of members, continuing with the excellent work started by previous Council members.