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The tour leaders
Our tour leaders are hand picked for their professional or personal experience, their personalities, and their passion. Their most important job is to provide pastoral care to ensure that their groups are well looked after. Tour leaders are an integral part of each tour, providing knowledge, insight and enthusiasm. They are interesting and accomplished people in their own right, and the sort of person you will enjoy sharing a drink with at the end of a busy day.
Alex Attewell
Alex Attewell is the former Director of the Florence Nightingale Museum in St Thomas’ Hospital in London. A history graduate of the University of Bristol, Alex trained as a social history Curator at Leicester University, qualifying with the AMA in 1992. Alex has written, broadcast and lectured on Florence Nightingale for 18 years. He serves on the board of several museums and galleries in London. Now he works as an independent consultant and writer in the heritage sector.
Jon Baines
Jon started in the travel industry over 15 years ago, following a background in publishing and years of independent travel through the Americas, Europe and East Africa. In that time, he built a start up travel company into a leading specialist study tour operation. Jon set up Jon Baines Tours in 2007 which is today a successful specialist tour operator enjoying a high level of repeat business and personal recommendation. Jon is a highly energetic and knowledgeable tour leader whose enthusiasm for the destinations he visits is contagious. He led his first group in 1996 from the Karakoram Highway in Pakistan to China. Since then, he has successfully led groups to Bhutan, Cambodia, China, France, Iran, Jordan, Nepal, Vietnam, Sweden,Syria, Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan.
Dr Peter Brinsden
Peter Brinsden was born in Peking China and lived in China, the United States, Canada and Hong Kong before joining the navy and serving as a Ships Medical Officer. Peter qualified as a gynaecologist and went on to specialise in fertility. He worked at the Bourn Hall Clinic under Patrick Steptoe, the IVF pioneer who, with Professor Robert Edwards, was responsible for the birth of the world's first IVF baby Louise Brown in 1978. He was appointed Medical Director at Bourn Hall Clinic, in March 1989 He has been an Affiliated Lecturer at Addenbrookes Hospital since 1992, and a Visiting Professor at the Capital Medical University in Beijing since 2001. Dr Brinsden has also been an Inspector for the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority since 1997.Dr Brinsden is in great demand internationally as a lecturer on fertility and is the Vice Chairman of The Nelson Society.
Gilly Burn
Gilly Burn set up Cancer Relief India in 1990 and worked as the Project Director of the Indo-British Palliative Care Project from 1993-96 collaboration between Macmillan Cancer Relief and WHO. She has been instrumental in setting up palliative care services in collaboration with Indian colleagues, notably the first hospital based palliative care team in India which is now a WHO Demonstration Project with SE Asia. She was one of the prime instigators in setting up the Indian Association of Palliative Care, and is an expert on palliative care and society in India. Well-travelled and energetic with an excellent sense of humour, Gilly is a great asset to any tour. She has led several highly successful Care of the Elderly and Palliative Care Tours to South India.
Dr Lavinia Byrne
Dr Lavinia Byrne has had ample opportunity to study the effects of religious belief on the development of culture and art. Lavinia has travelled extensively, including in the near east. A former internet columnist for The Tablet and book reviewer for the Church Times, she has also broadcast with BBC Radio 4’s Thought for the Day and as a religious commentator. A modern language graduate, she taught at Heythrop College, London and at Westcott House, Cambridge where she lectured in Spirituality and Communications. At present she lives in Bath, Somerset. Lavinia has been speaker on tours to Syria and Iran and has led a tour to Cuba. www.laviniabyrne.co.uk
Liz Carrington
Liz Carrington, the International Development Adviser at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, has a background in paediatric physiotherapy and medical anthropology. Before joining the CSP, she worked in India in community based rehabilitation and has previously led a tour to China, as well as the 2008 Therapy & Rehabilitation tour to South India.
Christalla Demetriades
Christalla Demetriades, (Talla) graduated with a degree in Medieval Ecclestical History and went on to work in publishing. Talla has lived and worked in the UK, Australia, Cyprus and Guatemala. Talla has built a house on the side of a volcano in Gutamala to spend the winter in. Talla has traveled extensively and is an experienced, enthusiastic and popular tour leader. Talla has led tours to China, India, Argentina, Mexico, Guatemala (many times) and on a Mediterranean Cruise.
Michael Dooley
Michael Dooley is a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist and a Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. His special interest is in reproductive endocrinology. Michael was Director of Sports Science and Medicine for the British Equestrian Federation between 1994 and 2002. During this time he travelled, as part of the British Olympic Team, to the 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney Olympics. He is now a gynaecologist at The Olympic Medical Institute at Northwick Park. In order to understand integrated medicine further Michael has travelled to India on several occasions. With this background, Michael has now opened The Poundbury Clinic in Dorchester which is concentrating on women’s integrated healthcare. He also works in London at Harley Street and The Lister Hospital. In collaboration with the award winning journalist, Sarah Stacey, Michael has written a book ‘Your Change, Your Choice: The integrated approach to the menopause and beyond’. He is sole author of ‘Fit for Fertility’ and is developing a Fit for Fertility programme for his patients.
Professor Phillip Dowell
Professor Phillip Dowell qualified at the London hospital and after a number of hospital jobs entered general practice. Some years later after working in the West Indies, he won an international fellowship to study at the Eastman Dental Centre in the USA. He continued his post graduate studies at the University of Wales College of Medicine and subsequently taught both under graduates and post graduates in the area of Periodontology. He is a specialist Periodontist and past president of the British Society of Periodontology. Phillip Dowell has lectured both nationally and internationally and is the author of many publications. He is visiting professor at the University of Surrey and a past European President for the International College of Dentists. He has led highly successful tours to China, Ecuador and around the Mediterranean.
Tony Druttman
Tony Druttman qualified from Leeds Dental School in 1981 following a brief career in Chemical Engineering. He gained a Master's degree in Conservative Dentistry from the Eastman Dental Institute in 1987. Since 1999 he has been a specialist in Endodontics, has been President of the British Endodontic Society and is a visiting teacher at the Eastman Dental Institute CPD. He has lectured both in the UK and abroad and has contributed to a number of dental publications. He has referral practices in the West End and the City of London.
Jane Ford
Jane has extensive administrative experience in the fields of business, politics and charity. She runs her own successful events and project management business, with particular focus on working with charities. With a passion for travel, Jane has been involved with tours to Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Greece, and led the highly successful Mickey Walker Golf Tour to China in 2007 and 2008.
Susan Hagan
Susan Hagan was a Tutor and Practitioner of Complementary Therapies for 35 years. She was the International Chair of the International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists from 2002 to 2005 and sat on the Committee for National Occupational Standards for Ayurveda. She lived in Nepal for 13 years, India for 6 where she trained as a Ceramist, America for 8 years, Greece, Germany for a time and then the UK until she moved to live in Bulgaria where she is building her own house herself in the old traditional methods using clay, mud, straw and sand.. To date she has renovated a long barn, built a Cob Guest house on her property and established a Permaculture garden. She teaches Natural building to young people and still practises her Therapy for local clients. An experienced tour leader, she leads regular tours to Nepal, India and Bulgaria.
Christine Holt
Christine Holt is a fully qualified PGA professional and established teacher. After a successful career in both professional and amateur golf, Christine now specializes in the design, organisation and administration of top quality corporate golf events. Christine has previously led golf tours to Chile, Argentina, Thailand and China.
Paul Johnson
Paul Johnson qualified in dentistry in Leeds in 1979 and medicine in Cambridge in 1984. He was appointed consultant in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at the Royal Surrey County Hospital. He lectures widely on maxillofacial and facial plastic surgery. In private practice he specializes in oral surgery, implantology and facial cosmetic surgery. Paul is experienced at leading dental tours for Jon Baines Tours.
Barbara Kuypers
Barbara Kuypers is the Local Supervising Authority Midwifery Officer for West Midlands. She is a trained Nurse and Midwife with over 25 years International and UK experience. She began her career in Midwifery working in Hong Kong, Israel, Zambia and The Gambia for various development organisations before returning to the UK in 1988. She has predominantly worked in London taking up posts as a clinical midwife, midwifery manager and eventually as a Head of Women and Children’s Services. She also took a diversion from midwifery and held the role of Head of Nursing for Emergency Services and General Medicine for a year. From 2007, she spent 18 months working with the Nursing and Midwifery Council and during this time led a Midwifery Tour to China. Through out all of her career, Barbara has continued to support non-government organisations, being chair for the charity, International Health Exchange and is currently an adviser with the UK charity Baby Lifeline.
Simon Lawrence
Currently managing Basingstoke Golf Club, Simon has been involved in Golf Club Management since 1997 at three different clubs and has the reputation of running some of the best Opens in the South of England. For the last fourteen years, Simon has organised annual three day matches at different venues throughout the UK and Europe and has regularly organised and led golf breaks as far afield as South Africa. Simon has also been instrumental in either organising or assisting with a number of large Charity / Corporate Golf days such as Baker Tilly, Barclays, Toni and Guy Charity Day and the Countryside Alliance Charity Day.
Chris Liu
Christopher Liu is a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon and Honorary Clinical Senior Lecturer based in Brighton. Born in Hong Kong, Chris came to England aged 15 to study before entering medical school in London. He is widely travelled and enjoys introducing western delegates to exotic cultures. He has led the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Study Tour to China in 2004, Egypt 2006 and Syria in 2007. Being a visiting professor in Osaka he has visited Japan many times. Christopher has been president of the Medical Contact Lens and Ocular Surface Association, and is the current president of the British Society for Refractive Surgery.
Dr Anne MacAlister
Dr Anne MacAlister has been a GP in Lanarkshire for 25 years. Anne has an interest in all alternative medicine with special interest and post graduate training in homoeopathy, acupuncture and hypnotherapy. Anne works as a doctor at a number of rock concerts and has traveled extensively to China, Tibet, India, Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Australia, Peru, Mexico, Guatemala, Alaska, USA, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Egypt, Syria, Jordan and throughout Europe. An experienced tour leader, Anne has led a number of tours through South America and Asia.
Dr Richard Marsh
Dr Richard Marsh has a long association with the Orthodox and Oriental Orthodox Churches and other faith-communities in Eastern Europe, Africa, the Middle East and the Caucusus. He enjoys making the connections between history, art, music and contemporary society. He is the author of 'Black Angels: The Art and Spirituality of Ethiopia and 'Prayers from the East'. He has experience working in the world of International Development and is a consultant working with a range of charities to improve their public trust and confidence. Richard has travelled extensively and is an experienced tour leader, having led many successful tours to Ethiopia, Armenia, Georgia and Iran. http://www.richardmarsh.org/
Aidan Reynolds
After a decade of toiling in the City of London, Aidan downed tools and spent the next two and a half years travelling to all corners of the globe. Eventually, he joined the travel industry as a tour leader working in a number of locations including India, Morocco, Turkey, Greece and Vietnam. He finally hung up his boots in Vietnam, where he settled and lived for six years. Married to a Vietnamese woman, Aidan has a comprehensive knowledge of Vietnam and Southeast Asia.
Dr Nathalie Richard
Dr Nathalie Richard MB BS BSc MRCP MRCGP FCEM PGDL is a Consultant in Emergency Medicine and is a certified trainer in Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) and Advanced Life Support (ALS), with several years experience. A Member of the Royal College of General Practitioners, Nathalie is also a qualified private general practitioner working in a multidisciplinary dental and medical centre in Harley Street.
Dr John Richardson
John Richardson is the Emeritus Defence Professor of Primary Care and General Practice. He has visited 80 countries and worked in 41 of them as a doctor. He travels worldwide leading tours or being the medical escort for pilgrimages for the Royal British Legion, and running history of medicine battlefield tours. John has lectured on a Mediterranean Medicine Cruise and has led cultural tours to Turkey, China, Central Asia along the Silk Road, India, Central and South America, North Africa and Namibia. He is still working as an independent general practitioner.
Dr Ashok Sethi
Dr. Sethi has pioneered, in the UK and internationally, the art and science of surgical and restorative implant dentistry for 25 years. His practice is totally dedicated to implants achieving outstanding success rates in terms of predictability as well as aesthetic and functional outcome. He is the Programme Director of the Diploma in Implant Dentistry, of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He has recently written a book “Practical Implant Dentistry” jointly with Thomas Kaus, which is published by Quintessence International.
David Shannon
David M. Shannon graduated with a Doctor of Optometry degree from Southern College of Optometry, Memphis, Tennessee in 1986. He divides his time between the family practice Shannon and Carton Ltd in Notting Hill, London and Johnson and Johnson Vision Care where he acts as a professional affairs consultant. David is currently the Association of Optometrists (AOP) Chairman. Previously he was the AOP Board member responsible for OT (Optometry Today)and has chaired both the Membership and Education committees. He has travelled extensively through the USA and more recent adventures include visits to Israel, Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan. He has led the study tours to both China and Cuba.
Tim Sunnucks
Tim is on the Specialist register in Endodontics, takes referrals in Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry and lectures and runs courses on both subjects. Tim undertook the Certificate in Restorative Dentistry at the Eastman, followed by the Diploma in Restorative Dental Practice. An active member of The British Academy of Aesthetic Dentistry, The British Endodontic Society, The British Society for Restorative Dentistry, and the International College of Dentists, Tim is also a Member of The International Team for Implantology . Tim helped set up his current private practice in London’s West End.
Jill Swale
Jill went to school in South Africa where her parents lived for ten years. She has a degree in Humanities from the Open University and spent two years studying Art and languages in Paris and Florence. She has lived and worked in Italy, and for several years worked as an interpreter for the Italian Embassy in London. Jill ran an art gallery in Wells for 15 years and has recently moved to Bath. She is now a committee member of the Somerset branch of The Art Fund (formerly The National Art Collections Fund). Jill is accompanied on her tours by Lavinia Byrne.
Dr Siobhan Sweeney
Dr Siobhan Sweeney (MBChB, BSc, MRCPCH) is a paediatrician working in paediatric emergency medicine in The Royal Hospital for Sick Children in Glasgow. She has an honours degree in the history and philosophy of medicine from the UCL, and graduated from Edinburgh Medical School in 2001. Siobhan has travelled widely in Europe, and visited Zimbabwe, The Seychelles, Brazil, North America and Canada, Australia and New Zealand. She has studied in Florence, Fiji, Egypt and the Cook Islands, and worked in Nepal and Australia. She has a wanderlust and is fascinated by the customs and practices of the diverse cultures encountered on her travels.
Bryan Tully
Dr Bryan Tully is a member of the Psychologists at Law Group. Dr Tully has a specialist interest and experience in issues of credibility and deception. Dr Tully has been consulted on over 800 cases throughout the UK and the Republic of Ireland,and has has been published many times on his specialised subject. Dr Tully is an associate and consultant to Psychology Direct, and has led a previous successful Forensic Medicine Tour to South Africa. www.dr-bryan-tully-psychologist.co.uk
Jamie Veitch
Jamie Veitch is Managing Director of the award-winning social enterprise and community regeneration magazine New Start and a voluntary director of Eventus, the Sheffield-based cultural and arts consultancy. Jamie has worked in social policy publishing since 1994 and is particularly interested in social enterprise and economic and community development. Jamie is an avid rock climber and has climbed extensively within Europe and Kazakhstan as well as on the local gritstone cliffs of the Peak district. He has featured within magazines, a book and a film about rock climbing. An experienced and popular tour leader, Jamie has led study tours to China, Costa Rica and Nicaragua and Venezuela.
Mickey Walker OBE
Mickey is one of the most respected and influential figures in women’s golf. Culminating in Europe’s Solheim Cup Victory in 1992, Mickey has enjoyed a highly successful career. Following success as an amateur, she played on both the European and US Tours before becoming the first woman in Britain to become Head Professional at the Warren Golf Club.
Professor Cathy Warwick CBE
Cathy Warwick CBE is General Secretary of the Royal College of Midwives. Cathy is also Director of Midwifery and an Honorary Professor of Midwifery at Kings College London. In 2006 she was awarded a CBE for services to Midwifery and Healthcare. Cathy lectures, writes and advises on midwifery issues with a particular interest in the organisation of care and the promotion of choice for women. Cathy has travelled widely both on her own and with her family, visiting midwifery units in America, Sri Lanka and South Africa and has previously led a Midwifery Study Tour to China.
Sue Weir
Sue Weir is a former Westminster Hospital nurse and a registered Blue Badge Guide. She developed a special interest in medical history and runs her own company Medical History Tours which takes groups and individuals to places of medical historical interest both at home and abroad. She has written Weir's Guide to Medical Museums in Britain, has a Diploma in the History of Medicine from the Society of Apothecaries, is a past-President of the History of Medicine section at the Royal Society of Medicine and is also President of the British Society for the History of Medicine.
Professor Robin Williamson
Professor Robin Williamson MA MD MChir FRCS is the President of the Royal Society of Medicine and a Consultant Surgeon at the Hammersmith Hospital, London with a specialist interest in HPB (hepatopancreatobiliary) surgery. Born in 1942 and the son of a Fellow of the RSM, he was educated at Emmanuel College, Cambridge and St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London. He qualified in 1967 and trained at Barts, Reading and Bristol, with a year at the Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston. He was appointed Professor of Surgery at the University of Bristol in 1979 and then moved to the Royal Postgraduate Medical School at the Hammersmith Hospital, London as Professor & Director of Surgery in 1987. He has served inter alia as Senior Editor of the British Journal of Surgery, and (more recently) the Journal of HPB, President of the Association of Surgeons of Great Britain and Ireland, Secretary-General and then President of the International HPB Association, President of the James IV Association of Surgeons and President of the European Society of Surgery. He remains in active surgical practice. He is married with three sons, two of whom have qualified in medicine.
Dr Frances Wood
Dr Frances Wood is Head of the Chinese Department at the British Library. She is also an acknowledged authority on the Silk Road and has travelled widely in Central Asia. Dr Wood is the author of, among other books, Did Marco Polo Go to China?, No Dogs and Not Many Chinese: A History of the Treaty Ports, The Silk Road and The First Emperor of China. Her current research interest is the history of the Chinese collections in all departments of the British Library.