About Us
At UKCPO, we believe that real change starts with listening — and that’s why our patient community will play a vital role in shaping how we grow and operate as an organisation. From guiding our priorities to informing the support we offer, the voices of people living with obesity will always be at the centre of our work.
This isn’t just part of what we do, it’s our unique strength. Unlike many organisations, UKCPO is built with the community, for the community, and by the community. Our lived experience network gives us insight, authenticity, and credibility that can’t be replicated. It ensures our work is not only relevant, but deeply rooted in the real experiences of those we serve.
Together, we’re building something different, an organisation that listens first, leads with empathy, and never leaves the patient voice behind.
Our mission is to advance public education on obesity by providing comprehensive, accessible, and up-to-date information on a wide range of treatment methods available, with a focus on empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health.
We aim to raise awareness and promote understanding of obesity, including but not limited to surgical interventions for weight loss, medical treatments, lifestyle changes, and support systems. Through the publication and maintenance of a dedicated website, we will offer reliable resources, expert advice, and educational materials to help individuals and healthcare professionals better understand obesity and its impact.
Additionally, we will organise and host regular meetings, conferences, and community outreach events to engage with the public, facilitate knowledge exchange, and encourage open discussions on obesity and its treatments. Our goal is to ensure that people have access to the tools, information, and support they need to take control of their health, reduce the stigma around obesity, and explore all available options for effective treatment. By fostering an inclusive, supportive community, we aim to create a positive and lasting impact on the health and well-being of individuals affected by obesity.
Our Management Team
Our management team is made up of individuals who bring not only professional insight but also invaluable lived experience to everything we do. Each member of the team has a personal connection to the challenges and realities faced by people living with obesity. This shared experience fuels our commitment to compassionate leadership, informed decision-making, and meaningful change.
By drawing on their own journeys, our team ensures that the voices of those with lived experience are at the heart of every conversation, strategy, and service we deliver.
Ken Clare
Executive Director
Ken has been living with obesity all his life. Starting in childhood he watched his mums struggles. He was bullied at school and put on weight at a steady rate through adolescence and into adulthood.
He had tried every treatment available until starting in weight management in 1999 and Bariatric surgery 2002.
Alison Lake
Director of Operations
Alison has had a varied career in nursing and mental health. She is an experienced project manager and is passionate about PPIE and hearing the unheard voices.
She has lived experience of Obesity and mental health challenges. She also works as a PPIE coordinator and for other charities.
Andrew Healing
Director of Compliance & Communications
Andrew has lived with obesity his entire adult life after struggling with weight in high school. He had weight-loss surgery in 2014, losing 14 stone, but later regained weight. Now, he is losing weight with medication.
He is passionate about helping others—obesity is a disease, and setbacks are not personal failures.
Our Operations Team
Our operations team are the people who keep things running day to day. What makes this team truly special is that every member brings their own lived experience of obesity to the role.
They understand the realities, the challenges, and the triumphs that come with living with obesity, and they use that insight to shape how we deliver support, create resources, and engage with our community. Their experience isn’t just valued, it’s vital to ensuring that everything we do is grounded in empathy, relevance, and authenticity.
Helen Atkinson
Administrative Assistant
Bianca Scollen
Knowledge coordinator
Our Board of Trustees
Our trustees have been carefully selected for the unique lived experiences they bring to the leadership of UKCPO. Each trustee offers a distinct perspective shaped by their own journey with obesity, ensuring that the voices of those directly affected are guiding the organisation at the highest level.
Their collective insight strengthens our mission, grounds our governance in real-world understanding, and helps shape a future that truly reflects the needs and aspirations of the community we serve.
S J
Trustee
Rhys Courtney-Tucker
Trustee
J T
Trustee
Jacky Nesbitt
Trustee
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UKCPO (CIC) - 16335799
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