Meet the Third Age Therapeutics Team. 

Our founding team brings together clinicians, academics, researchers and educators based at the University of York and trained in the NHS.

Together we bring decades of expertise in research and NHS service delivery.

This skill base supports seamless implementation of our Third Age Therapeutics solution.

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    Professor Simon Gilbody, DSc FMedSci

    Founding Director and Chief Medical Officer

    Simon is a practicing NHS clinician and proud of his Northern heritage. He is driven by the need for pragmatic evidence-based solutions to prevent health problems in underserved populations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Simon led the clinical trials that underpin our Third Age Therapeutics solution. 

    Simon is an epidemiologist with training in medicine, psychiatry and cognitive behavioural therapy [CBT]. Not only is he a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences, but Simon is one of the top 1% of scientists in the world.

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    Professor Dean McMillan, PhD DClinPsy

    Founding Director and Chief Scientific Officer

    Dean trained as a Clinical Psychologist, and holds a Doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Manchester. Dedicating his career to scientific research, Dean is an international expert in the design of effective and scalable behavioural interventions.  

    After reading psychology at the University of Cambridge, Dean completed his PhD at University College London. Dean is an Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society.

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    Professor David Ekers, RMN PhD

    Strategic Advisor - NHS

    David trained as a behavioural nurse therapist at the Maudsley Hospital in London, before completing his PhD in Health Sciences at the University of York. He is now an international thought leader on Behavioural Activation.  

    As well as holding senior NHS leadership roles, David co-led the clinical trials that underpin our Third Age Therapeutics solution. David has also contributed to national policy and guidance committees for the Department of Health and Social Care.

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    Dr Liz Littlewood, PhD

    Strategic Advisor - Solution Delivery

    Liz is a highly skilled behavioural scientist and programme manager. She has an outstanding track record in delivery of some of the largest ever NHS trials of behavioural therapy. This gives Liz a unique understanding of how to effectively manage projects in partnership with complex organisations.

    Liz studied psychology at the University of York and then went on to work on a large-scale dementia project at the University of Newcastle. She subsequently completed her PhD in Psychology at the University of York in 2007.

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    Della Bailey, MSc

    Strategic Advisor - Training & Quality Assurance

    Della pioneered the application of behavioural therapy in the early days of the NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapies [IAPT] Programme. She helped deliver the clinical trials that underpin our Third Age Therapeutics solution, through the supervision of over 300 behaviour therapists.

    Della has experience of working within both the voluntary sector and the NHS. Specifically, while working in the voluntary sector she delivered services for those experiencing dementia and their carers.

Professional Collaborators.

The Third Age Therapeutics team works with a number of highly skilled delivery partners.

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    Clare Lavelle

    Founder & Director - Aniseed Creative

    Aniseed Creative delivers branding and graphic design solutions that have purpose - exploring brand voice, personality, vision and values.

    Clare developed our Third Age Therapeutics brand and continues to support us with bespoke design services.

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    Helen Chhokar

    Freelance Web Designer & Developer

    Helen delivers bespoke websites that prioritise clarity and usability - creating intuitive, accessible platforms that reflect brand identity and serve real people.

    Helen developed our website using our brand guidelines and continues to support us with technical solutions and advice.