John French has the role of overseeing the organisation on a day to day basis. John has a wealth of experience and has a varied professional background and an MBA from Strathclyde University. John's professional experience includes working in commercial management roles for ADT, Centrica, British Gas and the AA. His position with the FHT affords John the opportunity to combine his interest in health, sports and well being with his successful business experience. He also has close links with Business Link and is highly aware of the difficulties faced by small businesses and the self-employed. John states that this role will give him the opportunity to work closely with self-employed Members, helping their businesses to become more sustainable.
Annie WallingPersonal Assistant to the Chief ExecutiveAnnie is originally from Kingston, Jamaica but moved to New York, USA at the age of 17. She is a qualified teacher by profession and has also studied business studies in the USA. Since living in the UK Annie has gained many years of experience in vocational therapy training working for VTCT in an educational records capacity. Her valuable experience in both teaching and the therapy education process has meant that Annie has headed the successful FHT accreditation programme since she joined the FHT in 2005.Favourite Treatments : Massage and Reflexology
Melanie Prince General ManagerMelanie joined the FHT at the beginning of 2007 after nearly ten years of marketing clinical nutrition to the NHS. She has worked in marketing and sales roles in pharmaceuticals, medical devices, household and fashion, but is most home and effective when working within "caring" industries. A devoted visitor to the chiropractor with a variety of sports injuries, Melanie looks forward to using and promoting the many therapies our Members practise.Favourite Treatments: Reiki
Steven Ridout Membership and Insurance Services, Qualifications and Compliance ManagerHaving worked in various roles in Customer Services and Project Management, in 2003 Steven took the opportunity of studying Massage and various beauty therapies. He set up his own therapy business in 2004, although it soon thrived, personal circumstances forced him to return to a more 'traditional' work place environment. His role at FHT combines his customer services and management experience with his work as a therapist. Steven still keeps his hands in with his therapies and finds it relaxing treating others rather than receiving a treatment himself.Favourite Treatments: Body Massage and hydrotherapy waterbeds.
Bev BartlettSenior Membership and Insurance OfficerBev started work for HSBC when she left school and worked in numerous branches and area offices, gaining 23 years of valuable experience in customer care. She joined FHT in June 2003 to escape the demands of the financial world and to adopt a more holistic working practice, which works well around my family. Bev has a 10 year-old son so much of her time and interest is dedicated to his education and well-being. She enjoys being able to bring her interest in education into the FHT membership office and be able to provide useful advice to members.Favourite Treatments: Body Massage and Reiki
Tina ImmMembership and Insurance OfficerTina joined FHT in December 2005 having gained 37 years of customer service experience. She enjoys keeping fit and is a dedicated cyclist. Tina has a keen interest in the industry and enjoys providing advice to therapists and members alike.Favourite Treatments: Body Massage
Sarah AdamsMembership and Insurance Officer Sarah started work at FHT in June 2000 when she was just 16 years old. She started out as a membership officer while doing her NVQ in Business Administration. She then took over the running of the catalogue in 2002. While at FHT Sarah completed a Body Massage course at Eastleigh College and enjoys treating friends and family. After going on maternity leave in October 2007 Sarah has since returned to FHT and works part-time as part of the Membership team.Favourite Treatments: Reflexology
Carrie WormanMembership and Insurance OfficerCarrie studied Hairdressing, Face Painting and Childcare at Eastleigh College and joined TIS as an insurance officer in 2005. She has recently returned to FHT part-time after maternity leave, and enjoys craft activities and baking with her daughter.Favourite Treatment: Stone Therapy
Janet WalsheMembership and Insurance OfficerJanet worked in the financial sector for over 18 years with both Midland Bank and The Bank of England Registrars Department. After a 4-year break, to spend time with her young son, returned to work in 2001 with the FHT working on a part-time basis. With an interest in fitness and well being she has found working within the holistic world a benefit and can bring her experience in customer relations to her role within FHT.Favourite treatments Body Massage & Daoyin Tao
Samantha Elton-SmithMembership and Insurance OfficerSam joined the FHT in 2006 as Post Room Officer and was later promoted to Membership and Insurance Services Officer. Sam is very creative and artistic and enjoys baking in her spare time.Favourite therapy: Massage
Laura ThomsonMembership and Insurance AdministratorLaura started working for HSBC when she left school and gained her NVQ in Business Administration while working there. She travelled to Australia for a 6-month break to spend time with family who live there. Laura worked in the Customer Service industry for over 5 years and joined FHT in January 2010 in a part-time role. She has a 2-year-old son, Ethan and lives with her partner Pete. On her days off, Laura likes to spend time with her family and friends.Favourite therapy: Manicure
Karen YoungEditorKaren joined the FHT in 1998 as a part-time Features Writer for International Therapist. As well as working for the magazine, she has worn various other 'hats' at FHT over the years - from helping out in membership, to organising and running student make-up competitions hosted at FHT Professional Therapy, Birmingham. Karen has trained in Swedish body massage, Indian head massage and reflexology but only carries out treatments if persuaded to by a needy friend! In her spare time, Karen enjoys reading, socialising with friends, making cards and walking dogs for her local RSPCA animal shelter.Favourite Treatments: Indian Head Massage
Joanna ReevesDeputy EditorJo studied English Literature at the University of Sussex in Brighton, and did work experience placements with various magazines, including She, NewWoman, and ETC. She also did a month's journalism placement abroad in Chisinau, Moldova, working on a newspaper with an online English version. Jo loves travelling, and has backpacked with friends around Europe for three months after university, visiting Paris, Barcelona, Venice, Florence, Rome, Croatia, Prague, and Amsterdam. Jo loves writing and has an interest in complementary and beauty therapy, so working on International Therapist magazine was a dream come true for her!
Jon CritophEducational Development ManagerJon left school and studied for an HND in Electronics, having gained this and got established in the world of barcodes and computing holding many senior roles in sales and marketing Jon realised after many years his real calling was in the world of complementary therapies. Having trained in Massage, Hopi ear candles, EFT, Indian Head Massage and also being a Reiki master Jon left the corporate world behind and now works part time for FHT and is also a partner and practitioner in a complementary therapy clinic in Marlow. He also has a role as sales and marketing manager for a computer software company. Jon has run a local support group in the High Wycombe area for the last 14 years and his passion is helping people reach their full potential and in doing so helps himself too.Favourite Treatments: Reiki and Shiatsu
Michelle ShawyerLocal Support Group Administrator
Michelle has over 12 years’ experience in sales and customer service, working as a recruitment consultant and also for a housing association. She now enjoys working with Local Support Group Co-ordinators, offering them help and support, while also managing the ever-growing LSG network. Michelle is very active, with three young children aged 8, 7 and 4 and a pug puppy. In her free time, she enjoys swimming, Pilates, Zumba and dog walks. Favourite Treatment: Indian Head Massage
Kiah TullochMarketing ExecutiveJade RimellMarketing ExecutiveJade studied International Business at university, enjoying a period of study in Québec and spent summers working as a tour guide in Paris. After graduating, she completed a professional qualification in marketing, joined the Chartered Institute of Marketing and worked for a variety of not-for-profit organisations. Experiencing migraines for most of her life, Jade has found complementary therapies to provide excellent relief. Favourite Treatments: Indian Head Massage and Holistic Facials.
Matt FurnerIT Systems Manager|After finishing school Matt studied for a GNVQ in Information Technology, having achieved this Matt Joined FHT in October 1998 as a Modern Apprentice to study for an NVQ in Business Administration and IT key skills. Since completing this he has worked in different areas of FHT including Membership, Accounts, Catalogue, IT and now works as part of the marketing team. Outside of work Matt enjoys Football, Golf and socialising with Friends.Favourite Treatments: Indian Head Massage
John ParsonsFinancial ControllerJohn worked with Winchester Growers for over 12 years and joined the FHT team in 2004 as Financial Controller. He enjoys games of darts and golf and is an avid Southampton FC fan. John is also a Pub quiz fanatic and has hosted quiz nights for the staff. John has 3 grown sons and lives with his partner Sue.Favourite therapy: Massage
Adrian BoddyAccounts ManagerAdrian was a keen sportsman at school and college and represented Devon at hockey at U16 & U18 level as well as playing rugby and cricket. Therefore it was no surprise that in 1995 he became Assistant Manager of a gym in Dorset, which also offered complementary therapies/nutritional advice to its members. With an interest in these areas, in 1998 Adrian joined FHT as an administrative assistant and now works as the Accounts Manager. Adrian is married with 4 children including twin girls and outside of work he enjoys spending time with his family and his hobbies include reading,watching sports and movies.Favourite Treatments: Indian Head Massage