Robyn is a highly experienced herbal practitioner and herbal educator. She has been in practice as a medical herbalist in Sheffield since 1998. Her particular interest is in the use of herbs to treat hormone problems, especially thyroid imbalance.

Robyn was, until 2020, programme leader for the Open University BSc(Hons) Herbal Medicine course at Lincoln College.

Robyn joined the Institute's Council in summer 2021, and was elected President in September that year

 

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 public interest and engagement.

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, and became Vice President in September 2021.

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 became Honorary Treasurer in September 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

Katie works as a herbal practitioner as well as being a clinic supervisor and senior lecturer for the Clinical Herbal Medicine Degree at Lincoln College. She graduated in herbal medicine from Westminster University in 2002 and started practising as a herbalist in London before moving to Lincolnshire in 2007 to teach, where she has now settled.

Katie also has a busy practice in Lincolnshire and sees a wide range of patients.  She was elected to the Institute’s Council in September 2021.