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.
Safi Abdi
Trustee
Safi Abdi is 42 year old mother of 2 from North London. She is a neuro-somatic coach and therapist, certified hypnotherapist, and advocate for people living with obesity and disordered eating.
With over 20 years of experience in mental health and a BSc in Mental Health and Social Work, she integrates somatic practices, hypnotherapy, and cognitive behavioural approaches to support long-lasting change.
Safi specialises in working with neurodivergent individuals and those navigating the psychological impact of disordered eating and post-bariatric recovery. Her lived experience with childhood obesity and weight loss surgery deeply informs her compassionate, client-centred approach.
As the host of The Gastric Mindset podcast, she shares practical tools and insights to help others build a more peaceful relationship with food and their bodies.
Rhys Courtney-Tucker
Trustee
Throughout his childhood, Rhys regularly saw doctors of all types to treat his obesity. Through these experiences, he hopes to provide a voice for young people currently receiving treatment.
His goal is to ensure that the sub-par care he received through national health services does not become the standard for future generations.
Jenny Teke
Trustee
Jennifer is an accomplished healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience in health research and epidemiology, working across both national and international settings.
As the Head of Research and Innovation at MFT, she plays a key role in shaping the organisation’s research strategy, overseeing governance, patient safety. Her expertise spans academic, commercial, and translational research.
A strong advocate for inclusive research practices, she embeds equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) principles across her work. Her doctoral research focused on addressing health inequalities in Black and Minority Ethnic communities, specifically examining systemic barriers to weight management services.
Beyond her leadership role, Jennifer contributes to academia as a Visiting Senior Research Fellow at Canterbury Christ Church University, where she supports research development and mentors the next generation of healthcare researchers.
Jacky Nesbitt
Trustee
Obesity affected Jacky throughout her adult life, gradually making it harder to stay active and impacting her health.
She was eventually diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, and her confidence in social settings declined. Although her GP was sympathetic and prescribed every available medication, nothing brought lasting improvement.
After thorough research, Jacky decided to pursue weight-loss surgery. It was a long and difficult journey, but ultimately a successful one.
She still lives with the daily challenges of obesity, and food remains a key consideration in many of her decisions.
On the positive side, Jacky found a community of people who truly understand her experience. Through this support network, she has formed deep, lasting friendships with individuals she might never have met otherwise.
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