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.
Kath Acres
Kath Acres was a co-founder of the weekly regeneration magazine New Start. She has worked in social policy publishing (previously as Publisher of Inside Housing magazine) for more than 20 years and is now taking a break to see what she would like to do next. She is a board member of a Housing Association and a Trustee of Ruralnet – a charity helping rural communities to benefit from IT. Kath has travelled widely (and is a committed house-swapper). She has led study tours to China, Hong Kong and Namibia and participated in a tour to Costa Rica and Nicaragua.
Robert Arnott
Robert Arnott is Professor of the History and Archaeology of Medicine and Director of the Centre of the History of Medicine of the University of Birmingham Medical School. He is an archaeologist, who specialises in the history of ancient medicine and disease. He is the author of a number of books and papers on the subject and regularly lectures in Europe and the USA.
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 14 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 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 and Syria.
András Barabás
András Barabás MB ChB MD FRCS started his medical studies at the Semmelweis Medical School in Budapest but these were interrupted at the time of the Hungarian Uprising in 1956 in which he took an active part. Forced to leave Hungary as a refugee he came to England and qualified at the Medical School of Manchester. András Barabás trained as a surgeon in England and was appointed Consultant Vascular Surgeon in Suffolk and clinical teacher at the University of Cambridge School of Medicine in 1974. He has had numerous articles published in Medical and Surgical Journals, and co-authored a monograph: "Speaking at a Medical Meeting." András Barabás was recently awarded an Honorary Membership of the Hungarian Association of Surgeons and thus became the first Surgeon to hold memberships of both Hungarian and British surgical associations. Apart from Medicine, he is well read in Hungarian and English literature and history and is interested in ornithology. András is a regular visitor to Hungary and along with his English wife Alix, has previously led a very successful tour there.
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 W.H.O.). 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 as was the case when she led the successful Palliative Care in South India tour in January 2008.
Terry Butler
Terry Butler CBE was Hampshire County Council's Director of Social Services from 1988 to 2005. Nationally, he has regularly acted as a Government adviser and was seconded to the Department of Health in the early 1990s to help implement the community care reforms. He is a former member of the Home Office Advisory Board for Restricted Patients and Board of Governors for the National Institute for Social Work. He is currently a Non Executive Director of the NHS South Central Strategic Health Authority and a Council Member for the General Social Care Council. He is also an Adviser for Social Care at the National Patient Safety Agency, Member of the Information Tribunal and Vice-President of the Relatives and Residents Association. He is self-employed as an Adviser in Public Services and Social Care and has travelled widely.
Dr Lavinia Byrne
Dr Lavinia Byrne is a former Roman Catholic nun who 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.
Liz Carrington
Liz Carrington, the International Development Adviser at the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, has a backgroundin 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.
Dr. John Davies
Dr John Davies MB ChB DRCOG DTM&H MFTM RCPS(Glasgow) MSc (Med Sci Travel Medicine) FRGS is a member of the Faculty of Travel Medicine Glasgow, Fellow of Royal Geographic Society, Council member of Scientific Exploration Society and Chairman of the British Travel Health Association. John has been involved in nearly 100 expeditions in India, Nepal, Africa, South America, Antarctica and The Arctic, as the expedition medic or leader, over the past 30 years. John undertakes wildlife scientific and medical research abroad and was the senior medical officer for Operation Raleigh and Chairman of Fulcrum Challenge.
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 a 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 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 to 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
Dr. John Ford
Dr John Ford spent his professional life as a General Practitioner in Kent. During that time he served as part time Historian to St Thomas Hospital, London, and was President of the British Society for the History of Medicine and of the Section of the History of Medicine of the Royal Society of Medicine. He is the immediate Past President of the Faculty of the History and Philosophy of Medicine and Pharmacy of the Society of Apothecaries and is an examiner for their Diploma in the History of Medicine. He has published widely in the subject and is a frequent guest lecturer.
Jane Ford
Jane’s passion for travel, her administrative background and golfing skills make her the ideal person to lead this tour to China. Jane led last year’s successful Golf Tour to China and has been involved with tours to Israel, Egypt, Jordan and Greece. Currently Jane runs her own events business and when not busy working enjoys listening to music, drinking fine wine and playing golf.
Sally and Graham Goss/Barnby
Sally Goss RDH.DDHE.FETC and Graham Barnby BDS DGDP RCS are a husband and wife team who are leading and lecturing on the Dental Cruise in the Mediterranean. Sally is a dental hygienist who has worked across all sectors. She was President of the British Dental Health Foundation from 1997-2000, a former member of the Boots Dentalcare Advisory Board and a member of the Governnment task group in 2001-02. She is on the Editorial Board of Preventative Dentistry, a speaker on a regular radio slot and a Life Coach consultant for dental practices. Graham has practised dentistry in the RAF, NHS and private practice and was Chief Dental Officer for Marks and Spencer for 14 years. Honorary Vice President, past Chairman and PR Director of the British Dental Health Foundation, Graham established Practice Doctor LTD, a coaching and practice development business for the dental business, in 1999.
Susan Hagan
Susan Hagan has been for many years a practising Aromatherapist, Ayurvedic and Bowen Practitioner and Teacher. She also taught many Post-Graduate courses in the field of Complementary Medicine for leading Schools and Associations in the UK and Internationally. 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 trained in Ayurvedic medicine between 1968 and 1981 whilst resident in Nepal. She now lives in Central 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 200 foot long barn, built a Cob Guest house on her property and established a garden. She teaches this skill to young people and still practises her Therapy for local clients. An experienced tour leader, she leads regular tours to Nepal, India and Bulgaria. Su currently spends most of her time at her village home in Bulgaria, where her business is based.
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.
Dr. Raija Kuisma
An experienced and popular tour leader Dr Raija Kuisma is a Physiotherapist and university lecturer. She has worked as a physiotherapist and teacher throughout Europe, the Middle and Far East. With a Sudanese husband, Raija has a good understanding of the customs and believes of the people of the Middle East and understands and speaks basic Arabic.
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 MacAllister
Dr Anne MacAllister 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 is an authority on Ethiopia’s history, art, music and contemporary society. He is the author of 'Black Angels: The Art and Spirituality of Ethiopia and Prayers from the East' and is the Director of Intelligent Giving, a registered charity that aims to make charitable giving more effective by helping donors evaluate charities. Richard has travelled extensively and is an experienced tour leader, having led many successful tours to Ethiopia.
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.
John Richardson
John Richardson is the Emeritus Defence Professor of Primary Care and General Practice and is now an Honorary Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for the History of Medicine at Birmingham University . He has visited 69 countries and worked in 40 of them as a doctor. He travels worldwide leading tours or being the medical escort for pilgrimages for the Royal British Legion, or taking undergraduates and Service personnel on adventurous training or expeditions, and running history of medicine battlefield tours. John has lectured on a Mediterranean Medicine Cruise and has led cultural tours to Turkey , China and along the Silk Road . He is still working as a 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 also the AOP Board member responsible for OT (Optometry Today) and the immediate past chair of their new Education Committee. Currently he sits on the Membership committee. He has travelled extensively through the USA and more recent adventures include visits to Israel, Hong Kong, Thailand and Taiwan.
Corinne Short
Corinne Short is Editor of The Practitioner, the monthly clinical journal for GPs. She has a life science degree and more than 20 years experience in medical journalism. Corinne is a former editor of Medical Monitor and was the launch editor of Guidelines in Practice. She has travelled extensively, especially in the Far East, and has led a tour of GPs to Tibet and Nepal as well as the successful Medicine & Society in Cuba tour in February 2008.
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. She lives near Wells, Somerset, where she ran an art gallery from 1993 until last year. 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.
Jamie Veitch
Jamie Veitch is co-founder and director of the weekly regeneration magazine New Start, has worked in social policy publishing for the last ten years and is particularly interested in social enterprise and economic and community development. Jamie launched and co-organised the National Housing Awards, is a trustee of the social firm Sheffield Reclaim has recently joined the new board of Eventus, the Sheffield-based cultural consultancy and is an avid rock climber. Jamie 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 in addition to a tour to Venezuela in May 2007.
Mickey Walker
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.
Cathy Warwick
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 President-Elect of the British Society for the History of Medicine.
Dr David Wheeler
Dr David Wheeler has been a GP in Greenwich since 1988, one of 7 partners in a practice that has also looked after inmates of a high security prison in Southeast London. He is a GP Trainer and Programme Director for the Greenwich GP Specialty Training Programme. His main interests are in Medical Education with a particular focus on supervision and communication skills and prevention of burn-out. He is experienced in group facilitation. As President of the West Kent Medico-Chirurgical Society he helped create and lead a medical tour to Sweden in 2009. His other interests include studying healthcare systems in other countries, clown improvisation and Latin American dance.