The Board of Directors
The Institute of Trichologists has a Key Personnel in the form of a President Emeritus, President and Vice-President, as well as a board of directors. The board of directors is made up of a selection of committed Trichologists, all with different unique specialities, who are responsible for the development and maintenance of different aspects of the Institute, with our Members at the forefront of everything we do.
Each board member has different individual responsibilities within the Board, and is expected to work both individually and collectively to develop the IOT Membership. The IOT Board Members hold meetings 6 times per year, with a minimum required attendance of 4 meetings (per year per board member).
The overall responsibility of the board is to develop the IOT Membership, to ensure that all members provide their professional services to the highest standards and to ensure that the general public receive the highest standards of care, and can be confident that the members of the IOT treat patient safety as a number 1 priority.
All board members must abide by our EDI Position Statement. To find out more about the Board’s responsibilities, click here.
Neil Harvey MIT
Chairman
Neil Harvey MIT, has worked within the hair sector for nearly 40 years – and has run educational programmes within hair salons and colleges.
Neil has contributed to many online articles for various hair loss websites, and provided professional advice and support for numerous hairpiece manufactures and suppliers and their clients, as well as on-going clinical support for many patients of hair transplant surgeons.
Neil operates from four UK trichology clinics and acts in an advisory and educational role for various companies, inc: Medicauticals and Oway.
Neil is an avid attendee at many CPD (Continuous Professional Development) events across the UK, rarely missing an opportunity to learn from other professionals – some of which are in different but related areas of health care.
Early in his career, Neil realised that hair and hair ‘health’ could be of profound psychological significance for both men and women, seriously affecting confidence and well-being – and this is why he is proud to be a Member and Director for ‘The Institute of Trichologists’. In 2022, Neil was elected as the Chairman of the Institute of Trichologists.
Liam Byrne MIT
Vice-Chairman
Liam has received training in all aspects of scalp and hair science care and has been practising Trichology for over 17 years. Liam is a member of the Institute of Trichologists and serves as a Governor on the board.
As a Trichologist, Liam understands the negative effects that scalp and hair can have on a client’s physical and mental well-being and is motivated in not just helping clients deal with these issues, but also in educating them about how best to take care and prevent these issues in the future.
Shirley McDonald FIT
Board Director, Tutor & Examiner
Since qualifying in 1991 as a Consultant Trichologist, Shirley has indulged her passion in helping people with their hair and scalp problems for over 20 years. She started her journey in a private clinic in Birmingham before moving to London to train at the Institute of a trichologists (IOT).
Shirley treats all hair types including those with Afro hair at her Hendon practice, and she also works for the IOT as a clinical tutor and Consultant Trichologist. Alongside this, Shirley is a board director with responsibility for professional practice and ethics (Chair of Ethics). She has been featured in a number of journals including Business Insider and appeared on different news items for both BBC and ITV news.
Shirley’s aim is to adopt a holistic approach with attention given to lifestyle, diet, hair care and other factors which may contribute to the patient’s condition. There are so many people out there that need good hair care advice but are confused by the wealth of information.
As well as running her own private clinics, Shirley also offers Trichology Consultations at our Harley Street Clinic in London. To find out more about The Institute’s clinic, or to book an appointment with Shirley, click here.
Samantha Stewart MIT
Board Director & Tutor
Samantha qualified with distinction from the Institute of Trichologist in 2018 and was awarded the John Firmage award for distinction. She began her career in trichology at The Spencer Clinic 27 years ago, where she became an assistant trichologist working closely with Mr Richard Spencer MIT.
She has a real passion for learning and was delighted to become part of the clinical training team at the Institute of Trichologist in 2019 and joined the Board of Directors in 2021.
Samantha is very committed to trichology and ensuring that the public have factual information regarding hair and scalp disorders this has made her a sought after expert for many media articles.
Samantha ensures she stays up to date with all the new developments in the world of trichology by regularly attending CPD (Continuing professional development) days. These CPD events give her access to some of the worlds leading experts in the many fields related to trichology and ensures that her patients get the best possible advice and treatment for their hair and scalp problems.
As well as offering consultations at The Spencer Clinic, Samantha also offers Trichology Consultations at our Harley Street Clinic in London. To find out more about The Institute’s clinic, or to book an appointment with Shirley, click here.
Steven Goldsworthy MIT
Board Director
Steven Goldsworthy started his career in hairdressing 30+ years ago in his fathers Salon in Swindon. After an incredibly successful career, winning multiple prestigious awards and taking over the family business, Steven decided that he wanted more.
After developing an interest in the science behind hair and a noticing a demand within the salon for a specialist in hair and scalp issues, Steven made the decision to study in the field of Trichology to be able to diagnose and offer treatments to anyone suffering from hair loss and thinning hair.
Since graduating at the Institute of Trichology, Steven has been awarded the ‘John Firmage Award’ for excellence and dedication and has deservedly been appointed the title of M.I.T (Member of the Institute of Trichologist’s), and is now a Board Director.
In 2021 Steven decided to take his treatment opportunities even further and study Hair Replacement Systems – to offer an instant cosmetic remedy for hair loss with the company Novo Cabelo.
Lorraine Turvey MIT
Board Director
Lorraine qualified as a Trichologist in 1992, she is also a member of the Society of Cosmetic Scientists and holds a licence for mixing preparations and treatments. Lorraine is passionate about education and holds qualifications in both teaching and assessing. Lorraine has been involved in medical research projects, as well as conducting clinical trials to prove efficacy of treatment for product development. Lorraine operates from the Hairconsortium in Melksham
Mark Blake MIT
Board Director
Mark Blake MIT WTS IAT is a trichologist and thinning hair specialist who has worked in the hair industry for over 40 years. Subsequently, he has looked after over 250,000 heads of hair; he therefore knows how hair should look and feel.
Mark has also taken part in product testing for global hair care brands such as Nioxin, L’Oreal, Wella and Dyson.
Mark is a regular contributor to International magazines and newspapers with his hair related articles, he is constantly in demand for journalists, podcasts and radio shows in relation to hair loss and thinning hair.
