About UKABIF

The United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum (UKABIF) is a membership organisation and charity which aims to promote the understanding of all aspects of acquired brain injury. The organisation was established in 1998 by a coalition of organisations working in the field of acquired brain injury who wished to improve awareness of ABI through education and information.

UKABIF is run by an executive committee of 10 individuals who are elected by the membership. The committee for 2009/10 are as follows:

Professor Mike Barnes (Chair), Professor of Neurological Rehabilitation, Hunters Moor Neurorehabilitation Ltd

Ava Easton (Vice Chair)
Development Manager, The Encephalitis Society

Dr Keith Jenkins (Treasurer)
Clinical Psychologist, St Andrews Hospital

Geeta Nayar (Secretary) currently on maternity leave
Associate Solicitor, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors

Alison Eddy (Acting Secretary)
Partner, Irwin Mitchell Solicitors

Keith Jenkins (Treasurer)                                
Consultant Clinical Neuro-Psychologist, St. Andrew’s Hospital
Patti Simonson                                               
Head of Social Work, Royal Hospital for Neuro-disability
Amanda Swain                                                
Independent Consultant 
Mike Hope                                                       
Case Management Co-ordinator, Optua UK
Stephen McAleese (Co-opted)                         
Northern ABI Forum
Mandy Hassall
Director of Services, Headway
Russell Hardy
Chair, MS Trust/Chair Hunters Moor/Chair RJAH Orthopaedic and General Hospital

The committee meets four times a year and is run between meetings by the Executive Director, Chloë Hayward. UKABIF holds an Annual General Meeting in November of each year to which all members are invited.