Our Team

Piers Watson is 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.

Kath had been a trustee of several charities before joining OCD Action early in 2017. Her partner has OCD, so she fully understands the impact the condition can have on people's lives. Kath's professional background is in Management Consultancy, so she hopes to use her experience with strategy and operational improvement to support and improve the work OCD Action does.

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

Megan has been working in international advocacy and campaigning for five years with child rights organisation Save the Children, and she is currently working with campaigners across the world as part of a UN initiative to tackle hunger and malnutrition. She joined OCD Action in 2017, as OCD is a cause particularly important to her. From improving access to treatment to tackling the stigma attached to mental health, Megan is determined to use her experience and knowledge to help better the lives of those affected by OCD.

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 

Philip has been with OCD Action since 2012 and manages the day to day operations 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.

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. 

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.

Olivia joined the team in 2014 as the Charity's first Media and Communications Officer. Along side her comms role, she also spent two years working as the OCD Action Helpline Co-ordinator with Christian, but has now handed over her headset and has taken over the management of the Youth Service, alongside her Media and Communications role. She is responsible for raising awareness of the Charity and OCD, and overseeing our Youth Project. You can reach Olivia at olivia@ocdaction.org.uk or call the London office. 

Christian re-joined the team in June as the Helpline Co-Ordinator, having previously worked at the Charity both as a volunteer and staff member eight years ago. 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.

Gary joined the OCD Action team in 2017 as an Advocacy Caseworker. Gary has a wide range of voluntary experience including working as a Samaritan and at Anxiety Care. Having spent a year working as a Volunteer Advocate for the Charity, Gary has vital skills and expertise that will go a long way to helping support more and more people affected by OCD who are in difficult situations.  

You can contact him via email: gary@ocdaction.org.uk or by calling the London office on 020 7253 5272.

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 inquiries, 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.