Who We Are – The Team

Craig is a patient advocate and medical writer/manager working in the medical communications area in patient engagement. He started his career in this space more than 20 years ago.  Craig is passionate about helping people understand complex concepts and language, particularly in the medical field. This work aims to help people truly understand the information they’re being given, so that they’re empowered to make informed health and wellbeing decisions that are right for them. Craig believes that everyone should have access to clear information. His areas of interest include medical ethics, informed consent, health literacy, AI, insights gathering and health psychology.

Craig was diagnosed with an AN/VS in 2015 and received gamma-knife treatment in 2017. His scan results since 2017 have been reassuring.

“I am delighted to be a part of BANA as Trustee and Chair, and look forward to helping the Charity grow and evolve to support as many people as possible, in the ways they need.”

I am honoured to have joined the BANA Board as Treasurer. I currently work in the finance department at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust as Head of Financial Support.

I joined the NHS as a finance graduate trainee back in 2005. In the first few years of my career I was asked to cost an acoustic neuroma procedure (I didn’t know what that was at the time), and was involved in a business case to replace linear accelerators, one of which was to have the ability to do stereotactic-radiotherapy and radiosurgery, met the Medical Director, who was to become my surgeon, about potential investments in cyberknife and gamma knife and worked with budget holders about gaining funding to support patients with neurofibromatosis II.

Peter is a consultant ENT surgeon with a special interest in skull base surgery and hearing implants. He was appointed at the University Hospital Birmingham in 2010 and is also an Honorary Associate Professor at the University of Birmingham. He leads the skull base MDT in Birmingham and has a dedicated acoustic neuroma clinic with hundreds of patients under his care. Peter is the current President of the British Society of Otology.

“It is an honour to be involved with BANA as a trustee. BANA has supported many of my patients with their diagnosis and treatment journey.”

Andrew was diagnosed with an Acoustic Neuroma in 2017. Then went on to have translab surgery on the 22nd of May 2017; that date will never be forgotten as it was the Manchester Arena bombing that evening; he also turned 40 in March.

In January 2017, Andrew joined a local running club; over the years, this has proved to be an incredible part of his positive recovery, from the people he has met to the confidence he has gained from fellow runners. He is now a member of the club’s committee.

Jools has worked as a nurse practitioner for the NF2 and skull base (ENT) service at the Cambridge Skull Base Unit since 2010. She is co-lead for the NF2 service for the East of England/Midland region. She is the team’s lead for user and carer issues and patient experience. She has previously sat on the British Skull Base Society Council and advises various relevant charities and support groups.

Pooja works in digital quality assurance for healthcare organisations and is passionate about improving healthcare quality and access to healthcare through technology. She has been in this space for several years and is particularly interested in making complex processes more efficient and accessible, ensuring that people can confidently use technology to support health and wellbeing. Pooja believes that technology has the power to transform patient outcomes and is dedicated to driving innovation in this field.

Pooja was diagnosed with an AN/VS in May 2023 and underwent translab surgery in November 2023. From her own journey, she recognises how personal and unique each person’s experience with Acoustic Neuroma can be.

“I am honoured to be a BANA Trustee and to work alongside the charity in supporting those affected by an Acoustic Neuroma. I look forward to contributing to BANA’s efforts in providing guidance, resources, and a strong community for everyone on this journey.”

Sara Crosland is a passionate trustee for the British Acoustic Neuroma Association (BANA), where she uses her personal experience and expertise to support individuals affected by acoustic neuromas. As an adventure athlete and outdoor education specialist, Sara brings a unique perspective to her role, using her skills to help others in their recovery from brain tumours.

Sara says, “I strongly believe in the power of personal experiences and the strength we find in sharing them. I hope through my work with BANA, to offer positivity, hope, and the confidence to move forward after diagnosis.”

Through her work with BANA, Sara helps ensure patients and their families have the resources, guidance, and inspiration they need to navigate their journeys, empowering them to embrace recovery with strength and optimism.

With a distinguished career spanning 40 years in the Consumer Finance Industry, Steve Wheeldon brings a wealth of experience and a forward-thinking approach to his role as Chief Executive Officer at the British Acoustic Neuroma Association (BANA) at our Head Office in Chesterfield. Since joining the team, Steve has been pivotal in managing and administering the charity, working closely with our Trustees to ensure effective governance and strategic direction.

Steve’s role encompasses the development of core strategies and meticulous budget management, ensuring that BANA operates smoothly and sustainably. He leads our core operational activities, including governance and fundraising, with a commitment to enhancing our impact and outreach.

Lou has over 40 years NHS experience working as a Senior Registered Staff Nurse  and the last 25 years of this as Community Staff Nurse. Lou also has  20 years experience in Bookkeeping, which she did on a small scale alongside her nursing, and she has excellent communication skills. Lou is based in our Chesterfield office, and can be contacted for help, advice or just a chat anytime.

Justine graduated in 3D design in 1992 and worked for several Companies including Thames Cancer registry, and Guy’s and St Thomas’s hospital in London providing Admin Support. Justine set up her own Campervan hire business in 2016, creating her own Company Website, and marketed the business through social media.

Over the last 4 years Justine has worked as an Admin Manager for an international organisation providing training programmes for overseas Emergency Medicine doctors, and also owns and runs a small upholstery business.

Brian Moore is Emeritus Professor of Auditory Perception at the University of Cambridge. His research interests are: the perception of sound; mechanisms of normal hearing and hearing impairments; the relationship of auditory abilities to speech perception; design of signal processing hearing aids for sensorineural hearing loss; methods for fitting hearing aids to the individual; design and specification of high-fidelity sound-reproducing equipment; perception of music and of musical instruments.

In July 2015, I had surgery to remove an Acoustic Neuroma. Following the surgery, I was left completely deaf in my left ear and needed to rebuild my balance and redevelop the ability to walk unaided. After spending two days unconscious and a week in the hospital, I returned home to continue my recovery. During diagnosis, surgery and recovery, I was a Professional Footballer for Liverpool FC, and almost three months to the day after surgery made my debut in the Champions League. Now, I am continuously trying to share my story to help inspire people facing their life struggles.