Gavin Fergie – Chair
Gavin has a long professional history within health and well being and is a passionate advocate for the benefits of recuperative and restorative sleep.
His background of nursing in predominantly paediatric practice culminated in health visiting where the impact of poor quality sleep was an ever present challenge.
Latterly he utilises his experience in strategic development and governance whilst also supporting and advocating for health care professionals across a range of administrations and clinical environment.
When not supporting the aims and aspirations of “The Sleep Charity” he enjoys a range of diverse hobbies and interests with his main challenges at present being the preparation of the perfect risotto and to discover new parkruns.
Jon Spain – Treasurer
Having qualified in 1977 as a Fellow of the Institute of Actuaries during 4 years with Duncan C Fraser, Jon then spent 12 years at Clay & Partners, followed by 28 years at GAD until May 2018. All in all, he has been a UK pensions consulting actuary for over 40 years and he also qualified as a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Before joining The Sleep Charity, over the last several years, he has had the privileges of serving as Treasurer of Law For Life (stepping down in February 2026), Helplines Partnership since November 2019 (stepped down in November 2025) and Lawyers Against Poverty since September 2024. Although not an accountant, his actuarial background has enabled him to focus upon the wider financial background as well as the detailed numbers. He would like to think that has been helpful over the last several years.
Apart from worrying about actuaries mainlining on risk without taking account of reward, he maintains websites on trying to estimate long-term inflation sensibly (with Con Keating), why discounting should be abandoned and long-term equity returns.
Nicola Saunders
Nicola is an accomplished leader in the environmental services sector, boasting over 20 years of diverse experience across the service industry.
Her extensive expertise extends to the voluntary and charity sectors, where she has made significant contributions as a trustee and committee member.
Passionate about social impact, Nicola actively supports initiatives aimed at preventing social isolation and promoting inclusivity in sports, demonstrating her commitment to creating positive change in communities she serves.
Dr Desaline Joseph
Desaline is a Consultant in Paediatric Sleep Medicine. She is a national expert in childhood and adolescent sleep disorders (one of 5 paediatric consultants in the country). She runs a tertiary sleep service, which aims to support paediatric consultants and CAMHS psychiatrists in assessment and management of children and young people with complex, rare and refractory sleep conditions. Her research includes her examining babies sleep rhythms by recording their body temperature patterns, the day-night production of hormones critical to sleep and rhythm development (melatonin and cortisol) and clock genes.
She is passionate about education and supporting professionals in their personal growth and is instrumental in shaping sleep education across the UK. She gives regular lectures and sits on various committees.
Desaline enjoys travel, spending time with her family, singing in a gospel choir and running a puppet team. She is also passionate about supporting the personal development of young people and seeing individuals thrive in their academic and education journey.
Ian Howes
Ian is a Supply Chain leader with over 25 years’ experience in Supply Chain & Logistics. He has delivered major change through leadership of both Retail, Digital and Operational transformation programmes. Relishing the challenge of developing and implementing Supply Chain & Logistics Strategies, he has a passion for supporting the growth of others as part of his passion for growing and developing progressive teams to deliver sustainable results across the organisation.
Ian has previously worked for Argos, where he led the delivery of key elements of their overall business strategy in a highly cross-functional environment. This has been fundamental to the transformation of the business into a Digital Retail Leader. Prior to that he spent 15 years with DHL, working with manufacturers and retailers in operational and account leadership roles.
For the last two years he has been in the role of Director of Logistics and Fulfilment for Sainsburys and Argos, where he has led the transformation of the Network, step changes in service and colleague engagements whilst resetting the commercial relationship with Strategic Partners.
Richard Clarke
Richard Clarke is the owner and Managing Director of Highland Carbon. The company restores nature at scale, in the spectacular wilds of Scotland and Northern England, in order to achieve climate impacts on behalf of its company clients. Highland Carbon’s projects typically include public access trails which enhance the mental and physical wellbeing of locals and tourists alike. Highland Carbon has planted more than three million trees to date and has restored hundreds of hectares of wetlands.
Prior to setting up his business in 2020, Richard worked in the charity sector for thirty-five years in the UK and USA. His roles have included Chief Executive, Executive Director, Fundraising Director and more. His experiences spanned capital appeals, cause related marketing, company recruitment, Lottery applications, charity trusts & foundations, philanthropy, large-scale public appeals and community fundraising. Richard has held senior roles in the charity arena representing two universities, a museum, a cathedral, two nature charities, an animal charity and two medical charities. He has worked significantly on fundraising in major cities such as London and New York.
Richard has a Master of Science degree in Neuroendocrinology and a Bachelor of Science degree in Zoology from Michigan State University. He has attended seminars on Sustainability, Philanthropy, and Capital Appeal fundraising at Cambridge University, Harvard University, Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the University of Chicago, Michigan State University and the University of Michigan.
Richard is also a Board Member of Mind Wellbeing CIC and a Trustee of Tickhill Community Connections.
Adrian Hunt
Major Adrian Hunt retired from the army after 46 years’ service in 2023 having served as a regular 23 years and reservist 23 years. For his recognition of service to the reserves he was awarded the Kings Volunteer Reserve Medal (KVRM) in the 2024 New Years Honours.
He is actively engaged as a trustee with both local and national charitable organisations. His roles include work with Yorkshire Water Community Trust, Sleep Charity, Friends of Doncaster Mansion House, Rotherham Military Community Veterans Centre, Citizens Advice Doncaster, School Governor, and SSAFA South Yorkshire the Armed Forces charity.
He most recently took on the position of Vice Chair, Youth and Cadets, for the Reserve Forces Cadet Association of Yorkshire and Humber. In 2019, he was appointed as a Deputy Lieutenant to South Yorkshire, and in 2023 became the lead DL for Doncaster and the Lead DL to Cadets in South Yorkshire. Additionally, he serves as Squadron President to 300 (Isle of Axle) Squadron RAFAC.
In his spare time, he enjoys time with his grandchildren and walking.
Victoria Dalby (Vickie)
Vickie has an extensive career working in HR within the private sector working for Global companies and held positions at Head of HR level. Vickie is passionate about people, their development, engagement and mental health/wellbeing.
Vickie has a Masters Degree in Human Resources Management from Sheffield Hallam University, is a member of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel Management) and is also a qualified mediator.
Vickie has managed multiple projects including restructuring, cost savings, change and engagement activities.
Joining the Sleep Charity is Vickie’s first appointment as a Trustee. She wants to utilise her experience and skills to help support the Sleep Charity and its people.