Advisory Board

Smart Cells International aims to make preserving your baby's stem cells as easy and trouble-free as possible. We also aim to provide every expectant parent with an informed choice about storing umbilical cord blood stem cells. Our specialist advisory board plays a key role in informing and advising the information we provide to our customers.

Mr Peter Bowen-Simpkins, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist FRCOG, MA, MBBS, LRCP, MRCS, MFFP.  Chair of Advisory Board

Nicola Richards is a partner in city law firm Macfarlanes. She has been a corporate lawyer for all of her life, but her academic background is science based. She has three small children and used Smart Cells' services for the birth of her youngest child in 2007.

Janice Rymer is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Guys and St Thomas' Hospital at King's college School of Medicine.  Her areas of special interest are ovarian failure, minimal access surgery and medical education.

Mrs Karen Madgwick, DMLM, CSci, FIBMS is a Biomedical Scientist specialising in Transfusion Science.  She trained with the National Blood Service, giving an excellent practical and theoretical knowledge of blood transfusion.  In 2001, she moved to a hospital setting, carrying our the role of Blood Manager and quickly progressing to her current role as Transfusion Practitioner at North Middlesex University Hospital NHS Trust.  As part of her current role she works closely with thalassaemia and sickle cell transfusion dependant patients, has learned a lot about living with an inherited condition and the impact this has on their lives.

Dame Lorna Muirhead has spent the best part of 40 years in clinical practice working as a midwife in a busy labour ward of a premier northern hospital.  She has witnessed major improvements in the health and survival of women and babies.  In 1992, Dame Lorna became a member of the Council of the Royal College of Midwives and in 1997, President of the College.  She served two terms of office demitting in 2004, having spent 8 years representing midwives in the UK and Internationally.

The aims of the advisory board are:-

• To act as an objective and credible voice on the benefits and limitations of stem cells, in particular cord blood stem cells.   
• To provide direction and views to SCI based on the professional, Independent, knowledgeable experience of the board members.
• To be viewed as a credible, robust board that is consulted by Public and Academic organisations and Associations alike.
• To work with the SCI DI, team and any charitable links to ensure there is clarity in any information produced.