AfN People

This section contains information about AfN staff and of trustees, committee members and regional representatives who give hours of voluntary effort to the organisation.

View the Committee/Council Membership and Organisational Structure here.

AfN has a policy for managing any possible conflicts of interests, which can be viewed here. Our Council Register of Interest is available to view on request.

Information is also below of individuals who have been recognised by AfN for their dedication and exceptional input into raising standards across the field of nutrition.

Registrants can view Regional Groups details and recordings here.

Mr Ernest Grainger

Quality Assurance (Education) Team Leader

Ernest joined AfN in April 2023 following a lengthy career within higher education where he held a number of academic quality roles at Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication and the University of Lincoln. He brings a great deal of knowledge around academic quality processes, academic governance and PSRB accreditation within Universities.

Ernest also has experience in quality provision in a commercial setting, feedback strategies both qualitative and quantitative, as well as applying for accreditations during his time as the Quality Manager in Commercial Services at Oxford Brookes University.

Ernest has responsibility for supervising the Quality Assurance (Education) team within AfN, working closely with Helen and Siobhan and supporting other members of the AfN team when required. In the short to medium term he is overseeing the implementation of our new accreditation standards and core competencies as well as reviewing AfN QA processes.

Ms Fiona Royden

Finance Officer

Fiona joined the AfN as part-time Finance Officer on 24 July 2018 and supports AfN with their finances. Fiona is an Oxford University & Guildhall School of Music graduate and an ACA accountant.
Fiona comes to AfN from the National Youth Orchestra, where she was also a part-time Finance Officer, having previously worked as an accountant at the Natural History Museum. Fiona will be combining her 2 days a week working part-time in her AfN Finance Officer role, with her music teaching and performing commitments.

Dr Glenys Jones

Deputy Chief Executive

Glenys has a substantial amount of experience working in nutrition research, practice, communications and regulation. Glenys has also been actively involved in improving health through improved nutrition education for all healthcare professionals and is a strong advocate for the responsible reporting of science in the media.

Glenys joined the AfN team in January 2015, with responsibility for AfN communications, including those to Registrants, policy makers, the media, health professionals, employers and the public. As a Registered Nutritionist herself, Glenys is extremely passionate about professionalism, bringing expertise and knowledge to the team on professional regulation within the nutrition field and governance. She strives to increase wider awareness of Registrants being highly qualified, competent and credible experts in the field of nutrition science. Glenys brings her research and education expertise to AfN and has been the Research and Engagement Lead on AfN led projects. On 4th March 2019, Glenys was appointed the Acting Chief Executive, providing AfN with continuity and interim cover until the start of a new Chief Executive in June 2019. Glenys then took on a permanent enhancement to her role, becoming the Deputy Chief Executive, taking on the additional lead responsibility for the registration team and UKVRN activities.

Ms Helen Clark

Chief Executive & Company Secretary (non-voting Council Member)

Ms Clark joined the AfN as Chief Executive on the 3rd June 2019 from being the Director of Membership at the World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts (WAGGS), supporting the guide movement in 150 countries.

Prior to this Helen enjoyed a long career at the British Psychological Society, where she supported a wide range of functions related to the regulation, education and training of the psychology profession. This culminated in her role as Director of Membership Services, where her portfolio included oversight of professional development and conferences, specialist registration (psychological testing) and support for member networks. During her time at the British Psychological Society Helen put knowledge from her own psychology degree into practice by being able to apply this knowledge and understanding to the registration of individuals, the management of projects for the establishment of practice standards, the development of qualification standards and delivery, and supporting the work undertaken to achieve the statutory regulation of practitioner psychologists.
Helen leads the office team in the delivery of AfN activities and functions, and has lead responsibility for the quality assurance team and education activities..

Mrs Michelle De Souza

Registration Team Leader

Michelle joined the AfN as Registration Team Leader in May 2023. She has responsibility for supervising the registration team and overseeing processes to support the operation of the UKVRN, including collaboration with the registration committee and assessors to ensure adherence to standards.

Michelle brings to the AfN her experience in maintaining professional standards and ensuring processes remain fit for purpose. She has developed a strong skills-set in operations, team leadership and customer support from previous roles within the education, training and professional development sectors, including in the accreditation services team for the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Dr Pauline Balac

Project Manager: ANutr Framework

Pauline is a Registered Nutritionist and joined the AfN in November 2021, after extensive experience of teaching and research in Higher Education. She previously worked at the University of Sheffield and then the University of Huddersfield, where she was Course Leader for the MSc Nutrition and Food Sciences course.

Pauline has also been an External Examiner for several AfN accredited MSc Nutrition courses and has taught on the Access to HE Diploma for Health Professionals at Kirklees College. She has recently successfully completed studying an online Graduate Diploma in Law.

Mr Ronald Le Bruin

Registration Officer

Ronald joined the AfN in February 2020 and is responsible for supporting administration of the UKVRN (the register) and enquiries about registration.

Ronald has gained a wealth of experience providing support to those within the health and nutrition sectors. He brings to the AfN his experience of working both at the Health and Care Professions Council and previously from 28-years experience gained within the Department of Health.

Ms Cherril (Siobhan) Byrne

Quality Assurance Officer (Education)

Siobhan joined the AfN as Quality Assurance Officer (Education) in July 2017 and is responsible for supporting the administration of the educational quality assurance of degree accreditation.

Siobhan previously provided temporary support to AfN in regards to registration and fitness to practise administration. Prior to this, Siobhan worked as a qualified solicitor before taking a career break to raise her children and explore the exciting adventures of Hong Kong before returning to the UK.

Mr Vincent Benson

Finance & Corporate Services Manager

Vincent joined the AfN as Finance and Corporate Services Manager in February 2020. Vincent has a wealth of experience as a finance and governance consultant and is an MBA qualified charity accountant.

As both a proactive charity finance manager and experienced planner and project manager, Vincent also oversees contracts and projects for the AfN.

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