CEO Today United Kingdom Awards

www.ceotodaymagazine.com 28 CEO Today United Kingdom Awards 2018 CHARITY CLARE PELHAM CEO of Epilepsy Society CHARITY PROFILE The Epilepsy Society is home to a world-class research centre where scientists are pushing forward ground-breaking genetic and other research to provide better treatments for people with epilepsy and ultimately to deliver our vision that their epilepsy will become irrelevant to their daily lives. It is estimated that about 1% of the population has epilepsy, and for some people uncontrolled seizures can seriously affect their quality of life leading in severe cases to the need for constant medical support. Other people with epilepsy say that the stigma and discrimination they experience from employers and in social situations is worse than the condition. The charity is working hard to improve understanding of epilepsy and to combat discrimination against people with this hidden disability. For over 125 years the Epilepsy Society has been supporting people with epilepsy to live better lives. If you would like to support our amazing work with a donation, please click here: www.epilepsysociety.org.uk/donate ABOUT CLARE PELHAM Clare Pelham was appointed as Chief Executive of the Epilepsy Society in 2016, leading an organisation that focuses on pioneering genetic research, advocacy and support for people with epilepsy. Clare was previously Chief Executive of Leonard Cheshire Disability for five years where she campaigned successfully for Government action against 15 minute “flying visits” for personal care of disabled people. Before joining the charity she was a senior civil servant in the Cabinet Office, and at the Home Office where she was a member of the Board of HM Prison Service and responsible for the successful delivery of their first integrated IT infrastructure and business change programme. Clare returned to the public sector after working as Director of Active Lifestyles at Coca-Cola GB & Ireland where she was responsible among other things for partnerships that enabled thousands of young people to participate in sports and physical activities. As the inaugural Chief Executive of the Judicial Appointments Commission, Clare had the challenge to establish an independent judicial selection system that commanded the confidence of the legal profession and the wider world; and she is very proud of the continued high standing of the Judiciary. Clare sees working for the charity as a seamless part of her commitment to a better world and this year as an advocate in the field of epilepsy, she has spearheaded a successful national campaign to ensure that any woman of childbearing age with epilepsy who is prescribed the medication sodium valproate, should be made aware of the risks associated with the drug during pregnancy for her unborn child. She says that the best part of her work is to be able to support brilliant staff and volunteers who make a difference every single day to the lives of real people. “Clare sees working for the charity as a seamless part of her commitment to a better world and this year as an advocate in the field of epilepsy, she has spearheaded a successful national campaign to ensure that any woman of childbearing age with epilepsy who is prescribed the medication sodium valproate, should be made aware of the risks associated with the drug during pregnancy for her unborn child.”