Who we are
Our staff includes degree-qualified nutritionists, and we liaise regularly with academics and health professional organisations both in the UK and around the world.
Director
Alison Boyd PhD, BSc, RD, RNutr
Educated at the University of Ulster, Coleraine, Alison gained a BSc (Human Nutrition) with Dietetics and PhD in Diabetes. Her research focused specifically on clinical and experimental studies related to the pathophysiology of the disease. Appointed Senior Dietitian in the Royal Hospitals Belfast, Alison carried out clinical duties for four years. In 2001, she took up post of Research Director at Sugar Nutrition UK where she headed an active Research Programme. In 2007, Alison was appointed Director. She is a member of the British Dietetic Association, Nutrition Society, European Association for the Study of Diabetes and Diabetes UK. Alison also sits on the Scientific and Communications Committee of the World Sugar Research Organisation.
Nutrition Research Manager
Joanna Grinsted BSc (Hons), RNutr
Jo graduated from King's College London in 2003 with a BSc (Hons) in Nutrition. Since then her work has focused on disseminating research and information within the food industry. This has included acting as a freelance nutrition consultant and spending time working as the Communications Manager for an obesity charity. Jo is also a qualified teacher and has taught children at both primary and secondary school, with a particular interest in teaching Food Technology. Jo joined Sugar Nutrition UK as Nutrition Information Officer in January 2014. She is a Registered Nutritionist and is a member of the Nutrition Society, the Nutritionists in Industry group and the Association for the Study of Obesity.
Communications Manager
Chris Abell
Chris is a communications professional with broad experience in health, nutrition, corporate and political communications. At Sugar Nutrition he oversees our communications program focused on explaining the scientific evidence on sugars and health to the media and other stakeholders. Prior to joining Sugar Nutrition UK Chris worked for four years at a global communications consultancy, working on a range of major campaigns across the nutrition, health and corporate sectors. Chris is a graduate of the University of Edinburgh with an MA Hons degree in Politics and Sociology, and has an MSc in political science from Brunel University.
Nutrition Information Officer
Jane Hodgson BSc (Hons), ANutr
Jane graduated from Roehampton University in 2012 with a BSc (Hons) in Nutrition & Health. She joined Sugar Nutrition UK as Nutrition Information Officer in January 2015 and brings a number of years of commercial experience through her previous career in HR along with experience of promoting health and wellbeing initiatives within community groups. Jane is registered as an Associate Nutritionist and is a member of the Nutrition Society, the Nutritionists in Industry group and the Association for the Study of Obesity.
Nutrition Research Manager (currently on maternity leave)
Katie Newens PhD, MBiol, RNutr
Katie graduated from the University of Bath with a Masters of Biology in Molecular and Cellular Biology. Katie developed an interest in nutrition during a placement at the Centre for International Child Health, where she supported a maternal health project in Zambia. Following her degree, Katie worked on a trial at the University of Reading investigating the optimum diet for prevention of type II diabetes. Katie also worked on projects surrounding glycaemic response and satiety at Oxford Brookes University before exploring the impact of fatty acids on endothelial function and insulin sensitivity at the University of Reading. Katie joined Sugar Nutrition UK in February 2011 as the Nutrition Research Manager. Her role is to oversee the research program and commission new research in a wide range of areas including obesity, diabetes, behaviour, sports nutrition, cardiovascular disease and dental health. She is a Registered Nutritionist and member of the Nutritionists in Industry group and the Nutrition Society.