NCT Spokespeople

NCT has a range of spokespeople available for media interviews. Each are able to talk in detail about specific areas of interest related to NCT - whether it's an interview regarding the latest policies, a reaction to a press story, to discuss a new campaign drive or the history of the charity.

Our spokespeople can be found below - if you would like to interview someone specifically, please contact our press office at press@nct.org.uk or 0208 752 2404. ISDN line is available on request for interviews.

Belinda Phipps, Chief Executive

After completing a BSc in Microbiology, Belinda joined Glaxo pharmaceuticals and, over a period of ten years, worked in sales, marketing and market research. After a time as sales manager and marketing manager, Belinda studied for a MBA at Ashridge Management College. She then joined the South Thames Blood Transfusion Service to lead a merger to form the largest transfusion service in the UK. After a time in medical publishing Belinda became CEO of East Berks Community Health NHS Trust then joined NCT as its CEO in 1999.

Gail Werkmeister, President

Gail Werkmeister worked as a biochemist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Kings College Hospital London. After the birth of two of her children she trained as an Antenatal Teacher, qualifying in 1989 and she became an Antenatal Tutor in 1998. Gail continues to teach parents and train students. She has been a member of a Maternity Services Liaison Committee since 1991 and subsequently has represented parents on the Labour Ward Forum at her local hospital.

Gail was elected as President and a Trustee of NCT at the 2005 Members’ Conference and also currently chairs the Maternity Care Working Party (MCWP). She has represented the NCT on working groups producing documents such as 'Safer Childbirth' and ' Standards for Maternity Care'. Currently she is a member of the Maternity Services Implementation Board, NHS London. She is also a lay member of the Board of the NICE, National Collaborating Centre for Women and Children’s health

In 2006 Gail was awarded the Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science by the University of Bedfordshire for her work as President and to celebrate the achievements of the NCT over 50 years.

Mary Newburn, Head of Policy Research

Mary Newburn is the Head of the Policy Research Department at NCT working at the UK office in London. She has four children and has been involved with the NCT since her first two sons were born in the 1970s.

Mary read sociology at the London School of Economics. Her work at the NCT has been diverse, including antenatal screening, improving access to information and support for expectant and new mothers and fathers, caesarean births, home births, postnatal care, continuity of carer and birth centres.

Anne Fox, Campaigns Manager

Anne Fox is Campaigns Manager at NCT, based in the London office. Anne is an experienced professional activist with experience of working in range of NGOs in the UK and Republic of Ireland on issues such as child and family poverty, long-term unemployment, public health, one-parent families and support for children and adults with a learning disability and their families.

She represents the NCT as a campaigning organisation and works with other organisations to strengthen the NCT as a campaigning force.

Gillian Fletcher, Antenatal Tutor & Past president

Gillian Fletcher is an NCT Antenatal Tutor. She originally trained as a physiotherapist at St Mary’s Hospital in London. She has worked at the NCT since 1974 and was NCT president from 2000-2005. During this time Gillian was a lay member of the Board of the NICE, National Collaborating Centre for Women and Children’s health and chaired the Maternity Care Working Party (MCWP).

Gillian is also a member of the steering group of the RCM Campaign for Normal Birth and regularly speaks at the RCOG Labour Ward Management Course. Gillian has three grown up sons and two granddaughters.

Richard Meier, New Digest Editor

Richard Meier is the Editor of the NCT's professional journal, New Digest. He has a long-standing interest in the mental health and emotional well-being of babies and young children, and contributes to the Policy Research department of the NCT on issues relating to children's psychosocial development.

Before joining the NCT, Richard worked as a policy officer for the children's mental health charity, YoungMinds. In 2005 he gained an MA in Psychoanalytic Studies from the Tavistock Centre, London.

Specialist Workers

Antenatal Tutors and teachers – available on request

Breastfeeding Counsellor Tutors – available on request

Postnatal Tutors and leaders – available on request

Regional NCT branches

NCT has over 300 regional branches. To speak to local branch, contact NCT Press Office for details.

Health Professionals

NCT has midwives, health visitors, and maternity representatives available for interviews.