Our Team

Dr Nick Read, MA, MD, FRCP, Acting Chair of The Gut Trust.

Nick works in private practice as a gastroenterologist and psychotherapist, helping people cope with illnesses, like IBS, that have no clear cause or pathology. During a long academic career, he has held university chairs in Gastrointestinal Physiology, Human Nutrition and Integrated Medicine, published lots of papers and a few books on gut function, eating behaviour, mind body connections and unexplained gastrointestinal disease, including, of course, IBS. He now devotes much of his time trying to encourage people to understand and manage the situations and emotional reactions that underpin their illnesses. This is the subject of his latest book, 'Sick and Tired; healing the illnesses, doctors cannot cure' (Phoenix, 2006). He has been associated with The Gut Trust since its inception as The IBS Network. Nick currently lives in a cottage on the Chatsworth Theme Park, runs round the estate, cooks vegetarian cuisine, studies birds and other forms of wildlife such as human beings, and dreams of the wilderness.

Gillian Kemp, Trustee

After following careers paths in education and law, Gillian has been a Company Director for the past 20 years in a successful audiological instrument company that she established with her husband. She has been a Trustee of a local business centre and was a steering committee member of SANDS [Stillbirth & Neonatal Death Society]. On contracting IBS several years ago, Gillian became a member of the Gut Trust and is very pleased to contribute to the work of the Trust as a Trustee. She represents the Trust on the Management Committee of The British Toilet Association and feels strongly about the need for clean, wellmaintained and safe public toilets for all. Gillian enjoys her grandchildren, pilates and learning Welsh.

Kirsty Murphy, Office Manager.

After studying a three year degree in Communication and Politics at Nottingham Trent University and going on to complete a 6 month ski season working in the French Alps, Kirsty returned to Sheffield in May 2009. As the newest member of the Gut Trust team, Kirsty was brought in to manage the day to day running of the Sheffield office as well as overseeing the development and management of the website. Kirsty's previous experience and enthusiasm in marketing has also helped in the development and expansion of the Trust.'