Wilbo's Blends Co-Founders
The co-founders of Wilbo’s Blends have a collection of skills from across NHS, University, Research, Public Sector and Technology Sector backgrounds.
All co-founders are parents of children with disabilities meaning they really understand the challenges that come with caring for someone that must access various health & social care services. Most importantly, Gareth and Rhiannon bring a lived experience of the blended diet to the development of Wilbo’s Blends through their son William – the true inspiration behind the company.
Lisa
“Throughout my 20 year career in the NHS I have seen so many examples of how research & innovation can improve health and care outcomes. As a Mum of three and with parent-carer responsibilities for my eldest son, I understand that the needs of patients, parents & carers must be prioritised and set at the heart of all we do. I am passionate about Wilbo’s Blends and the potential it holds to make peoples lives better and improve their outcomes.”
Lisa has worked in biomedical research for more than 20 years, managing a range of commercial, NHS and academic clinical trials and programmes. She currently works as the Operational Director of the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research centre. She has a BSC (Hons) in Natural Sciences from The University of Durham and an MSc in Clinical Research from The University of Manchester. She was also a winner of the ‘Northern Power Women Futures Award’ in 2019. In addition to her role as BRC Operational Director, she has also held an honorary contract at The University of Manchester as a Senior Lecturer delivering a Clinical Trials module as part of the Pharmaceutical Industrial Advanced Training (PIAT) MSc. Lisa also a member of the Autism@Manchester Steering Group and Expert by Experience Group.
Lisa has completed the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme. The Clinical Entrepreneur Programme is a workforce development programme for clinical and non-clinical NHS staff, run by NHS England’s Innovation, Research and Life Sciences group and delivered jointly with Anglia Ruskin University.
Rhiannon
“Starting the blended diet was a really challenging journey for our family. But the positive health changes that we saw - and still see - in our son Wilbo were incredible. So why not help others? Our aim was quite simple. We needed to create balanced, real nutrition without the mess and help make it more convenient. We also felt there needed to be more support, help & guidance for those starting out on this journey. We just want to make the blended diet that little bit easier for people.”
Rhiannon is Mum to Wilbo and his two younger siblings. Having spent her entire adult life working in NHS hospitals as a Specialist Clinical Pharmacist, she soon found what life was like on the other side when Wilbo was born, having multiple appointments and prolonged inpatient stays. Beyond her post graduate academic achievements, being Wilbo's mum has enriched and added a lived experience and understanding to her clinical practice and difference the blended diet can make. As a Specialist Pharmacist in the NHS, Rhiannon has vast experience developing clinical guidelines, leading on the safe and cost-effective use of medicines, working effectively in a patient focused multi-disciplinary team, implementation and delivery of clinical trials and delivering safe and effective patient led care.
John
“I believe Wilbo’s Blends can make a positive difference in society, especially when it comes to promoting good nutrition and fitting the blended diet around everyone’s busy schedules. Even if it’s just in a small way, I hope we make people’s lives just a little bit easier.”
John has spent over 20 years working in research, project & contract management and marketing teams across both public and private sectors. He has spent time working in central government departments, management consultancies, and most recently works for a global law firm. John has a passion for using business as a force for good in society. He has been part of Award-Winning sustainability projects that reduce vehicle emissions, worked on the London Olympics, and consulted on new safety measures to improve logistics operations throughout the UK and Europe. He has a BA (Hons) in Geography from The University of Durham, is a certified Prince2 Practitioner and has been Chartered with the Institute of Logistics & Transport.
Gareth
“For me, a well-balanced healthy diet is fundamental to all our wellbeing, needing a feeding tube doesn’t change that. We started Wilbo’s Blends to improve the understanding and remove the barriers to a healthy real food diet. Creating the Wilbo’s Blends meals is an important part towards achieving this but is only the beginning.”
BackgroundGareth has more than 20 years experience in technology and data with global organisations. He has first-hand perspective on the impact businesses have on all aspects of society both good and bad. Gareth has a firm belief that businesses have a responsibility to the communities within and around them, now and in the future. The lived experience of being a Dad to a medically complex child like William has given Gareth a perspective that can only been developed through experience. Turning that experience into application is at the core to helping other people in a similar situation through Wilbo’s Blends.