Our people

APF is a people-driven organisation, it is vital to us that our community is a safe space for all, regardless of background, sexuality, gender, disability, or race. We gain strength from the wide variety of backgrounds that people come with. We value your unique experience and want your voice to be heard.

Dr Michael Stubbins

Chair

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Mike’s career has focused on research and development of new medicines and the application of genetics and genomics to healthcare in his current role for Genomics England, while doing his PhD and whilst working 20+ years with GlaxoSmithKline.

Mike lost his Mum, Anne, to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) in late 2017, after a brave 10 year battle with both the original diagnosis and subsequently the disease itself. Mike is honoured to serve as an APF trustee in memory of Anne and is driven to utilise the skills and experience he has gained throughout his career to help to increase APF’s links with the Pharma/Biotech/healthcare industry and to work towards the acceleration of PF research and education more broadly.

Dr Helen Parfrey

Trustee

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Dr Helen Parfrey is a consultant respiratory physician at Royal Papworth Hospital. She is actively involved in research on pulmonary fibrosis and undertakes clinical and translational research on the role of innate immunity and infection.

She also has an interest in the genetics of familial and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Dr Parfrey is a strong supporter of patient advocacy having established the pulmonary fibrosis patient support group at Papworth Hospital. She was a founding trustee of APF.

Matt Kemp

Trustee

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Matt has worked in scientific research for most of his career, first in the lab and now as the CEO of a global company developing scientific research equipment.

Matt was diagnosed with PF after a sharp-eyed consultant identified it during treatment for, what was believed to be, Pneumonia. In 2019 Matt received a double lung transplant at Harefield Hospital and returned to work just 9 months later.

Matt feels honored to be a trustee for APF and aims to use his skills to help the charity develop to further support those living with pulmonary fibrosis.

Emma Goodes

Trustee

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Emma joined the APF Board as Treasurer in November 2024

She brings over 30 years of experience in finance, including a decade within the charity sector. Emma currently serves as Director of Finance & IT at a drug and alcohol rehabilitation charity, where she plays a key role in strengthening governance and optimising operational models. Her work ensures the organisation remains effective and efficient, supported by are resilient IT infrastructure.

Emma is passionate about using financial and technological strategies to improve outcomes for people who rely on the charity’s services. By driving continuous improvement and fostering collaboration across teams, she helps ensure that resources are used effectively to make a real difference on the frontline.

Outside of work, Emma enjoys spending time with her children, walking her two dogs, photography, and reading.

Matthew Suddart

Trustee

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Matthew works in the Public Sector and is passionate about raising awareness amongst policymakers and those who have the ability to lever change that will improve outcomes for pulmonary fibrosis patients.

Matthew was elected as a Local Councillor at the age of 18, inspired to try and make his community a better place for all. He brings a knowledge of local and national government that will be valuable for the charity.

Matthew lost his Grandad Des to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis at the age of 18. Des, a former steelworker was an inspiration to Matthew and taught him so many life lessons and values that will remain for the rest of his life. Matthew is honoured to serve as a trustee at APF in his Grandads memory.

In particular, Matthew wants APF to help support young carers in the future and is passionate that patients and families are better supported when receiving the news of a pulmonary fibrosis diagnosis.

Matthew is a keen runner and ran his first ever marathon for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis in 2017.

Stephen Morgan-Hyland

Trustee

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Stephen has over 20 years’ experience as a planning and property consultant and is a recognised expert in commercial development and regeneration.

He is a Director of a leading planning and economics consultancy in Manchester, having previously been Commercial Planning Director at an internationally renowned property agency. He is involved with some of the largest commercial development projects in the UK.

Stephen lost his dad, Tony, to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis in 2017. Tony had suffered with the condition for five years, but he was not diagnosed until it was too late for any long-term treatment.

Stephen is honoured to serve at a trustee for Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis in his dad’s memory. He is driven to raise awareness of pulmonary fibrosis in the interests of both ensuring that clinical advances continue to be achieved and that early diagnosis is made in as many cases as is possible.

Stephen is a keen runner and often competes in races flying the Action for Pulmonary Fibrosis flag.

Dr Simon Hart

Trustee

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Dr Simon Hart is Reader in Respiratory Medicine at Hull York Medical School and a consultant respiratory physician at Hull University Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, where he is the lead clinician for the Interstitial Lung Disease Service.

His research interests include inflammation and the immune system in pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis.

Wendy Dickinson

Trustee

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Wendy Dickinson is one of APF’s founding trustees. Her father, football manager Peter Taylor, died from IPF in 1990 at the age of sixty-two. She is working to improve the lives and outcomes for PF patients and their families in memory of her dad.

Wendy was a newspaper and radio journalist for many years before moving to the BBC as a drama publicist. She then worked for a leading UK family support charity as Communications Manager. She has published several factual books, including a biography of her late father. Based on her personal experience, Wendy believes that whilst the patient should always be at the heart of everything APF does, support for the whole family is also hugely important. She is passionate about investment in research and enjoys visiting support groups to learn about the real experiences of patients and families.

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