Our Team

Piers Watson is Acting Chair of OCD Action.  He has been involved with the Charity for over 20 years as a Trustee, previous Chair and former President. He has OCD himself and is passionate about ensuring the support he received for his OCD is available to everyone.  In his professional life Piers is co-Director of Watson Westmoreland, who are agents in fine art.  He previously worked for a merchant bank.  Piers lives between London and Shropshire.

Joel has been involved with the Charity for over 10 years and over this time has had a huge influence on all the services OCD Action's runs today. After eight years as Director for OCD Action, Joel then went on to become a Helpline Volunteer and a Trustee.

Jordan Rapaport first started experiencing the clinical symptoms of Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD) at 18 in 2002. Despite getting the required grades, he was unable to pursue his studies at University due to his OCD. During his recovery, Jordan became a volunteer at OCD Action. After a long and turbulent battle, Jordan made a full recovery in 2007 and was able to temp at OCD Action full-time. He was delighted to become a permanent member of staff later that year and in 2008 had gained the confidence and finances to recommence his studies. Whilst studying for an Access course, Jordan continued to volunteer at OCD Action and subsequently became a Trustee of the Charity. He hopes to help ensure the growth of OCD Action as it works on its mission to get a better deal for people with OCD.

David has worked in adult community based mental health services for over thirty years in the UK, developing services focussed on people with complex care needs and enduring mental health problems in a career spanning the voluntary sector, local authority services, and the NHS. He gained an M. Sc. (Econ.) in Social Policy and Planning from the London School of Economics in 1996 and an MBA from the University of Hull in 2005. From 2005 to 2008 he led the Delivering Race Equality initiative in the Central and North West London Mental Health Foundation Trust (one of the largest NHS Foundation Trusts in the UK). From 2009 - 2011 he was the Dementia Implementation Lead for Commissioning Support for London. In this role he worked with London Primary Care Trusts to implement key parts of the National Dementia Strategy in London and worked to raise the profile of dementia and its impact on Black and minority ethnic communities with commissioners of health care services. More recently he has developed a role as an independent writer and advisor on dementia support and services for Black and minority ethnic communities as well as supporting a number of projects and initiatives in this area. In his 'day job' he is a senior project manager for Central and North West London Mental Health Foundation .

Professor David Veale FRCPsych, FBPsS is a Consultant Psychiatrist in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy at The South London and Maudsley Trust (NHS) and The Priory Hospital North London (mainly private). Both centres provide specialist treatment for Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) and Body Dysmorphic Disorder (BDD). Professor Veale is also based in the Department of Psychology at the Institute of Psychiatry where he conducts original research in OCD, BDD and a specific phobia of vomiting. He is a past Chairman of OCD Action and continues as a professional adviser and trustee of today’s OCD Action Committee. He is co-author of the self-help books “Overcoming OCD”; “Overcoming Body Image Problems (including BDD); “Overcoming Health Anxiety” and “Manage Your Mood” all published by Robinson. He was a member of the NICE group that produced guidelines on treating OCD and BDD. He is past President of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP). You can contact David via his website at www.veale.co.uk

Chris experienced OCD from his late teens but went undiagnosed until 2005 after his symptoms became so bad that he had a breakdown. After receiving good CBT therapy He returned and even uses his techniques every day as a quality and Health and safety manager for an international tool company.

He devotes his spare time to being a Trustee for OCD Action, helping in the running of a local support chain that he founded to help those affected by OCD in Norfolk and being a father to two and husband to a fellow sufferer. 

Our YAPers are a group of under 25s with personal experience of OCD, who help design and deliver our work with young people. YAP volunteers meet regularly, online and in person, to discuss and deliver OCD Youth initiatives. These range from awareness events to support services.

Our Clinical Advisory group was formed in December 2013 and consist of 24 leading OCD clinicians and academics based throughout the country. The group helps to ensure that our work is clinically appropriate and that our information is accurate and up to date. The group also play a role in our campaigning work to improve access to quality treatment. You can read more about the group and see a full list of members here 

Collette joined OCD Action in 2012 as the Charity's Advocacy Manager. She is responsible for OCD Action's Advocacy Service ensuring that the service meets its objective of changing the lives of people with OCD. You can contact her at collette@ocdaction.org.uk or call the London office. 

Amanda Jacobs joined OCD Action in November 2016 as the charity’s Fundraising Manager.  Whilst taking lead responsibility for grants fundraising and working with colleagues to develop funder-friendly projects, she also manages the Lead Fundraiser, Charlie, who works to raise income from individuals, community fundraising and Charity of the Year relationships.  You can reach Amanda at amanda@ocdaction.org.uk. 

Keira joined OCD Action in 2013 as our first Groups and Communities Manager. She runs the Charity's " Even Better Together" project that works to develop the network of local independent support groups and online support groups, and help them to provide outstanding support. Prior to joining the OCD Action staff team, Keira ran a local support group and volunteered as a Trustee. You can contact her at keira@ocdaction.org.uk or call the Cromer office on 0303 040 1112.

Philip has been with OCD Action since 2012 and looks after the day to day administration of the charity. Prior to joining the OCD Action staff, Philip was one of the Charity's administration volunteers. You can contact him at philip@ocdaction.org.uk or call the London office.

Olivia joined the team in 2014 as the Charity's first Media and Communications Officer. She is responsible for the work that the Charity does to raise awareness of OCD. She also shares the role of Helpline Co-Ordinator with Christian Bower, managing the Helpline and email service. You can reach Olivia at olivia@ocdaction.org.uk or call the London office. 

Chritian re-joined the team in June as the Helpline Co-Ordinator, sharing the role with Olivia. He is responsible for managing the Charity's Helpline and email service. Christian can be reached at christian@ocdaction.org.uk. 

Rochelle has been working as a Helpline Volunteer since 2014 and has now joined the staff team as the new Lead Advocate, supporting the Advocacy Manager to provide National Advocacy and to oversee the individual Advocacy work delivered by a team of volunteers around England. She will also hold a small case load of more complex Advocacy cases. You can contact her by email - rochelle@ocdaction.org.uk or call the London office.

Carol joined the team in the Summer of 2016 as the first Project Assistant for our Even Better Together project. Working closely with Keira and the EBT team, Carol will be responsible for answering all group and project enquiries, as well as helping with coordinating events and project administration. You can email carol: carol@ocdaction.org.uk or call the Cromer office.

Having volunteered with OCD Action for nine months, Charlie has now joined our Staff team as the first Lead Fundraiser. Charlie is responsible for supporting our community fundraisers and seeking out new fundraising opportunities for OCD Action. You can reach him by email: charlie@ocdaction.org.uk or by calling the London office.