Academic and Clinical Advisory Group
The UKCPO Academic and Clinical Advisory Group is made up of leading professionals from across healthcare, research, and policy. Each member brings invaluable expertise to our organisation, offering guidance grounded in years of experience across obesity care, public health, psychology, nutrition, surgery, and lived experience research.
This diverse and highly skilled group helps ensure that our work is evidence-based, ethically sound, and aligned with best practice. Their insights strengthen our ability to advocate effectively, support our community responsibly, and contribute meaningfully to national conversations on obesity.
By combining professional knowledge with our lived experience leadership, UKCPO bridges the gap between science, care, and real-world impact.
Obesity Specialists
Obesity specialists play key roles across a range of disciplines. Bariatric surgeons perform weight-loss surgeries and are crucial in guiding patients through pre- and post-operative care. Endocrinologists manage the hormonal and metabolic aspects of obesity, often addressing related conditions like diabetes or thyroid disorders. Dietitians provide tailored nutritional advice and behaviour change support to help individuals make sustainable lifestyle adjustments.
Meanwhile, professors of obesity lead research, educate healthcare professionals, and contribute to evidence-based policy and clinical guidelines, advancing understanding and treatment of obesity as a complex, chronic disease.
Toni Russo
Bariatric Nurse Specialist
Toni qualified as a nurse in 1987. She underwent weight-loss surgery in 2000 (band) then had revision to BPDDS in 2024.
She has been working as a specialist nurse in bariatric surgery since 2001 and has worked for a variety of NHS and private bariatric providers. She has trained many teams and undertakes medicolegal reports as an expert witness and is frequently interviewed by the media (LBC, BBC, TalkTV)
She has maintained 100% of her weight-loss and actively promotes bariatric treatments and the needs of people living with obesity. She relates to them due to the shared experiences. She has a particular interest in ADHD and lipoedema having been diagnosed with both
She is a member of the faculty of the London International Bariatric Surgery Symposium (LIBSS) and recently wrote a chapter explaining the patient’s perspective in Obesity, Bariatric and Metabolic Surgery: A Comprehensive Guide 2nd ed
Mary O'Kane
Honorary Consultant Dietitian
Mary O'Kane is an Honorary Consultant Dietitian in Adult Obesity, Leeds Teaching Hospitals and Fellow of the British Dietetic Association. She is the Chair of the Association for the Study of Obesity Board of Trustees, and the Past President of the International Federation for the Surgery of Obesity and Metabolic Diseases (IFSO) Integrated Health Section.
She is a British Dietetic Association Obesity Specialist Group committee member. She has led three working groups developing national bariatric surgery guidelines to improve patient care. The most recent is the "British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society Guidelines on perioperative and postoperative biochemical monitoring and micronutrient replacement for patients undergoing bariatric surgery—2020 update.”
Jonathan Hazlehurst
Consultant Endocrinologist
Dr Hazlehurst runs a large medical specialist weight management service within the NHS. His interests span both academia and healthcare policy as well as service delivery. He is very familiar with the challenges in trying to improve access to effective person-centred treatment in a resource limited environment and this reflects both his clinical work in service delivery as well as his research examining service delivery across England.
He is a passionate advocate for person first language and regularly speaks on a number of obesity related topics nationally.
Catherine Homer
Professor of Obesity
Dr Catherine Homer is an Associate Professor of Obesity and Public Health in the Physical Activity, Wellness and Public Health research group based in the School of Sport and Physical Activity. Catherine is the Healthy and Active 100 research theme lead in the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre (AWRC), Deputy Editor of the Journal Perspectives in Public Health and the Yorkshire and Humber and the Public Health Specialist Research Lead for the NIHR Research Delivery Network. Catherine has worked at Sheffield Hallam University for 15 years in both Health and Social Care and Sport and Physical Activity Research Centres. She is an expert in public health and obesity with 20+ years' research and practice experience as a Public Health Specialist in a NHS Trust and Local Authority.
Catherine has strong collaborations with external partners and academic institutions and is currently PI on a £1.5m NIHR HS&DR funded (2024-26) project 'ENHANCE - Evaluating the NHS England12 Complications of Excess weight clinics for children and young people' led by academics from five universities and two hospital trusts. Catherine is also Co-I on a £5m NIHR PHR project Doncaster Health Determinants Research Collaboration (2022-2027). She is keen on using coproduction and person-centred approaches to research and service evaluation and co-led the development of the ‘Public Involvement in Research Group’ and is a member of the steering group for the Obesity Voices PPIE steering committee at Leeds Beckett University.
Kamal Mahawar
Bariatric Surgeon
Kamal Mahawar is a consultant bariatric surgeon and lead for Upper GI Surgery at South Tyneside & Sunderland NHS Foundation Trust. He is also a Visiting Professor at University of Sunderland. He is an executive council member, treasurer and trustee of British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society.
He has over 260 peer-reviewed publications with an H index of 45. He is an Associate Editor of “Obesity Surgery” and “Annals of Royal College of Surgeons England”and is on the editorial board of SOARD and Clinical Obesity. The journal “Obesity Surgery” published his biography in 2018 recognising his contribution in the field.
Louisa Ells
Professor of Obesity & Co-director of the Obesity Institute
Louisa Ells is Professor of Obesity, Co-Director of the Obesity Institute at Leeds Beckett University, and a proud co founder of Obesity Voices our National lived experience hub.
She is a registered public health nutritionist and Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health, with a specialist interest in multi-disciplinary, cross-sector applied obesity research that is founded in the voice of lived experience.
Her research focuses on addressing real world obesity priorities using, mixed methods, coproduction and person-centred approaches.
Kath Williamson
Clinical Nurse Specialist
Dr Kath Williamson has over 25 years' experience clinical experience as a district nurse and manual handling advisor in health and social care. She currently has a clinical academic role as a research fellow with the University of Glasgow & NHS Lothian, funded by the Chief Scientist Office of Scotland. This allows her to combine research with an innovative role as a Clinical Nurse Specialist for Bariatric Care in the Community.
Kath's aim is to work in close collaboration with staff, people living with obesity and their families to develop safe, effective and equitable obesity care services, particularly for those who are housebound. Kath chairs an inter-disciplinary, cross-sector Bariatric Care Forum, bringing together professionals across health & social care, to highlight wider care needs related to living with obesity, such as equipment, and strive for improved practice around bariatric care needs
Kath's research interests stem directly from her clinical work. Her PhD focussed on documenting the service usage and lived experience of people with severe obesity living at home or in care homes. Kath's current research explores access to weight management for housebound people living with obesity, who are an underserved group.
Senthil Senniappan
Paediatric Endocrinologist
Dr Senthil Senniappan is the Consultant Paediatric Endocrinologist at Alder Hey Children’s Hospital, Liverpool, UK, and an honorary Associate Professor at University of Liverpool. Dr Senniappan leads the nationally commissioned Tier 3 MDT CEW (Complications from Excess Weight) service for children and adolescents.
Dr Senniappan is passionate about improving the health and well-being of children and adolescents living with overweight and obesity and is supported by a team of dedicated multidisciplinary professionals including dieticians, psychologists, clinical and research fellows, physiotherapists, social worker, and specialist nurses as part of the CEW service.
Dr Senniappan is research active and has published more than 80 peer reviewed PubMed index articles and several book chapters. Dr Senniappan is the principal investigator for various clinical trials in childhood obesity and supervises research students/fellows. Dr Senniappan has established links with the various services/researchers in the city through the Liverpool Obesity Research Network (LORN).
Dr Senniappan is the secretary for BSPED (British Society for Paediatric Endocrinology & Diabetes). He has active international roles as ESPE (European Society for Paediatric Endocrinology) webinar convenor and Chair of the ESPE clinical fellowship committee.
Physiotherapy
Jennifer James
Physiotherapist
Dr Jennifer James AKA The Obesity Physio
Jennifer is a chartered physiotherapist with 19 years experience. Jennifer specialised in obesity care and has completed both a Masters degree and PhD at the University of Liverpool. The focus of the PhD was the development of a complex behaviour change intervention targeting physical activity and sedentary behaviour following bariatric surgery.
Jennifer has published in peer reviewed journals, The Conversation, and has been a specialist committee member for NICE and appeared on a number of different podcasts and online learning platforms with Physio Matters, Trust me Ed, and Physio Explained.
Physiotherapists play a vital role in supporting people living with obesity by helping them improve movement, mobility, and overall physical function. They provide personalised activity plans that are safe, achievable, and tailored to individual needs and limitations.
Beyond physical activity, physiotherapists also help manage pain, reduce the risk of injury, and build confidence in everyday movement. Their support is especially important in improving quality of life and helping individuals stay active before and after treatments like bariatric surgery.
Primary Care
Helen Parretti
Primary Care Physician
Dr Parretti is a clinical associate professor in primary care at the University of East Anglia. In addition to carrying out health care research, she works once a week as a GP. She has also worked in several specialist weight management services based in hospital and the community. She has a research interest in obesity and has been involved in several studies in this area. She has particular interests in patients’ healthcare experiences and post-bariatric surgery care. She also has an interest in patient and public involvement (PPI) and was recently appointed as Director of Citizens Academy, a PPI hub for health research and teaching at UEA.
Dr Parretti was a member of the NICE obesity management clinical guidelines committee and is a member of the NICE quality standards for obesity committee. She was an expert advisor for the NICE early value assessment on technologies for delivering multidisciplinary weight management services to adults. She is the GP representative and an elected member of the British Obesity and Metabolic Surgery Society Council.
Primary care plays a crucial role in supporting people living with obesity. Often the first point of contact, GPs and practice teams are in a unique position to identify weight-related health concerns early, provide non-judgemental support, and start conversations about treatment options.
They can offer ongoing monitoring, referrals to specialist services, and guidance on lifestyle changes. With a focus on whole-person care, primary care professionals help ensure obesity is recognised and managed as a long-term health condition—not just a matter of willpower.
Psychology
Becky Richards
Psychologist
Dr Becky Richards (PhD CPsychol) is a Practitioner Psychologist specialising in building and scaling digital specialist weight management services.
She is currently serving as Specialist Obesity Service Lead and Lead Psychologist at Second Nature. With extensive experience across NHS, academic, and health tech settings,
Becky applies innovative psychological approaches, including third-wave cognitive behavioural therapies, to support weight management. She is part of the British Psychological Society Obesity Significant Interest Group and was previously trustee for the Association for the Study of Obesity.
Psychologists play one of the most impactful roles in supporting people living with obesity, this is why we have engaged with so many excellect psychologists within the obesity field. They help individuals understand the complex emotional, behavioural, and psychological factors that influence eating habits, body image, and motivation.
By addressing issues such as trauma, stress, low self-esteem, and disordered eating patterns, psychologists provide essential tools for long-term change and emotional wellbeing. Their support can improve relationships with food and self, making them a vital part of any holistic obesity care team. For many, this psychological support is the key to achieving and maintaining meaningful, lasting progress.
Charlotte Hardman
Psychologist
Charlotte Hardman is Professor of Psychology of Eating Behaviour at the University of Liverpool, UK, where she leads the Appetitive and Addictive Behaviour Research Theme and the Appetite and Obesity Research Group. Her research interests and expertise are on the psychological determinants of appetite, eating behaviours and obesity.
Recent research grants have focused on tackling dietary inequalities in the food system and promoting equitable access to healthy, sustainable foods. She has published more than 100 peer-reviewed articles in international scientific journals and receives competitive research funding from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the European Commission.
She currently advises the UK government via her role on the Food Standards Agency’s Advisory Committee for Social Science, and she is a trustee for the charity Feeding Liverpool. She has a B.Sc. (Hons) degree in Psychology from the University of Leeds, a PhD from Bangor University, and has held post-doctoral research positions at Bangor University and the University of Bristol. She joined the University of Liverpool as a Lecturer in Psychology in 2013, was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2018, and to Personal Chair in 2023.
Denise Ratcliffe
Psychologist
Dr Denise Ratcliffe is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who specialises in providing psychological input for people living with obesity. She wrote “Living with Bariatric Surgery: Managing your Mind and your Weight” and “Understanding & Managing Emotional Eating: A Psychological Skills Workbook”. She worked in the NHS for 20 years and now works in private practice.
Emma Boyland
Psychologist
Emma Boyland is a Professor of Food Marketing and Child Health in the Department of Psychology at the University of Liverpool, where she is Deputy Executive Dean for the Institute of Population Health.
Emma is an experimental psychologist whose studies explore unhealthy food marketing and the impact this has on eating and eating-related behaviours, particularly in children. She works extensively with the World Health Organization in relation to child health, and has informed policies in the UK and internationally to restrict food marketing to children. She receives research funding from the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR).
Jane Ogden
Psychologist
Jane Ogden is a Professor in Health Psychology at the University. Her research focuses on the psychological aspects of eating behaviour and weight management with a focus on the triggers to overeating and the factors that can facilitate sustained changes in behaviour.
She has published 8 books and over 250 research papers including ‘Fat chance: the myth of dieting’; ‘The psychology of eating’, ‘The psychology of dieting’, ‘The good parenting food guide’ and the International guidelines for psychological support pre and post bariatric surgery.
Jason Halford
Psychologist
Jason Halford is a Professor of Psychology at the University of Leeds. Before that, he spent twenty years at the University of Liverpool, developing the Appetite and Obesity Research Group. He is a Chartered Psychologist and an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society (BPS).
Jason is the Treasurer of the World Obesity Federation (WOF) and Board Member of the European Coalition of People living with Obesity (ECPO). He is an Honorary Fellow and former Chair of the UK Association for Study of Obesity (ASO UK) and former President of the European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO).
Throughout his career, Jason has worked on and around the development of Obesity Management Medication (formally termed anti-obesity drugs. He has also worked on satiety more generally, looking at the roles of fibre, protein, and portion size on appetite regulation. And for 20 years, he has also worked on the impact of advertising and marketing on children’s food choices, which directly fed into WHO guidance for advertising control for national governments and the UK 9 pm food advert watershed.
Jason maintains a keen interest in psychological aspects of obesity, including mental health and patient access issues to health care systems. He chaired and co-chaired the ACTION-Teens and ACTION-IO studies, looking at barriers to obesity treatment across the world. He also works with fellow patient advocates for obesity to be recognised as a disease and against obesity stigma and bias.
Laura McGowan
Psychologist
Dr Laura McGowan is a Chartered Psychologist and Senior Lecturer in Nutrition and Behaviour Change within the Centre for Public Health, Queen's University Belfast.
She has previously worked at the Public Health Agency NI and the Health Behaviour Research Centre, University College London. Laura's programme of research focuses on the development of behavioural interventions for health-promoting behaviours, set against a backdrop of obesity and nutritional challenges in the population.
Her research involves varied methods relating to obesity, including prevention, management and weight stigma - particularly for key groups, i.e., young children, those in the reproductive years, and older adults with compromis
Research
Research is essential to advancing obesity care. It deepens our understanding of the biological, environmental, and social causes of obesity, helping to challenge outdated myths and stigma.
Through ongoing studies, researchers identify effective treatments, improve care pathways, and inform public health strategies. Research also ensures that lived experience is increasingly recognised, shaping more compassionate, person-centred approaches.
Ultimately, research drives progress—bringing us closer to better outcomes, better support, and a better future for people living with obesity.
Amy Ahern
Principle Research Associate
Dr Amy Ahern is a Principal Research Associate and Programme Leader in the MRC Epidemiology Unit at the University of Cambridge.
Her research focuses on the development and evaluation of interventions to prevent and treat obesity and diabetes, with an emphasis on translating understanding of the psychology of eating behaviour and weight management into scalable cost-effective interventions that have sustained effects on behaviour and improve mental and physical health.
She leads a portfolio of experimental, observational, and qualitative studies, including large randomised controlled trials with long-term follow up. She also co-chairs the European Association for the Study of Obesity Working Group on Psychology, Behaviour and Mental Health.
Emma Frew
Research Professor
Emma is an NIHR Research Professor (awarded 2020) and Professor in Health Economics at the University of Birmingham.
She leads The Centre for Economics of Obesity that using health economics to support obesity policy tackling the wider determinants of disease. This includes considering the impact of greenspace, transport, retail, schools and workplace upon people’s lives.
She works closely with policy and commercial partners and is particularly interested in ensuring the evidence produced aligns with the decision-making needs within public health appreciating the complex systems that obesity policy fits within.
John Wilding
Researcher
Professor John Wilding leads clinical research into Obesity, Diabetes and Endocrinology at the University of Liverpool, where he has worked since 1996, after training in Southampton and London. His clinical interests focus on caring for people with diabetes and obesity and he leads specialist services for obesity at Aintree University Hospital – designated a Centre for Obesity Management by the European Association for the Study of Obesity.
John’s research team focusses on developing and evaluating treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes. He has published over 350 papers, chapters and review articles, including clinical trials in diabetes and obesity, as well as studies of adipocyte biology and metabolism.
He has advised NICE and NHS England on various aspects of obesity care. He is past President of the World Obesity Federation.
Karen Coulman
Senior Research Fellow and Obesity Specialist Dietitian
Dr Karen Coulman, PhD RD is an applied health researcher and specialist dietitian at the University of Bristol who has worked in the field of obesity for over 15 years. Here current research focuses on improving access to obesity interventions and healthcare for people living with obesity including underrepresented groups such as people with learning disabilities and mental health difficulties. She is currently co-leading an NIHR evaluation of national access to weight management medication in the NHS.
She previously held a National Institute of Health Research (NIHR) Clinical Lectureship (2019-2023) focusing on how to improve access to specialist weight management services. Her PhD research (NIHR Doctoral Research Fellowship) focused on the patient's perspective of bariatric surgery, including developing a core outcome set, and investigating ways to improve follow-up care. She is passionate about cross-disciplinary collaboration and is co-Director of the 'Healthy Weight' Health Integration Team through Bristol Health Partners, which aims to improve how research, policy and practice interconnect related to the prevention and treatment of obesity.
Yitka Graham
Professor of Health Services Research
Yitka Graham is the Head of the Helen McArdle Nursing and Care Research Institute, and Professor of Health Services Research at the University of Sunderland. She is committed to working collaboratively with people living with obesity, and often, those who have undergone metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) to tackle weight stigma, challenge misconceptions and advocating for those with lived experience.
Her people-focused studies have been published widely, and she has presented her work internationally. Yitka is a staunch advocate of ensuring inclusion and representation for people living with obesity and MBS in research.
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