I was thrilled to be awarded an MBE in the Queen's New Year's Honours, 2016 for services to people with Rheumatoid Arthritis. This is very much a reflection of our fantastic and committed team at NRAS.With a professional background in business senior management and marketing in the fields of engineering, computers and audio visual technologies, I have lived with RA for over 40 years. I founded award-winning charity NRAS in 2001 and NRAS is now an internationally respected and influential membership organisation. I contribute on a regular basis to national standards and guidelines through work with NICE, the British Society for Rheumatology, and others. I am a Patient Research Partner with OMERACT. I was nominated by Health Service Journal as one of the ‘top 50 Patient Leaders’ in July 2015 and the judges said of my nomination: “She is clearly bringing her experience with RA to work with organisations to deliver new models of care.” At the Charity's AGM on 26th June, 2019 I stepped down as CEO to take on a new role as National Patient Champion with reduced hours to enable me to spend more time focussing on research and developing supported self-management resources for NRAS. I am delighted that my close colleague of 12+ years, Clare Jacklin has succeeded me as CEO of NRAS and I look forward to continuing to work with NRAS and contribute to their body of work as their National Patient Champion.