About Genesis Research Trust
Our mission
Led by Professor Robert Winston, Genesis Research Trust funds research to progress the understanding of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm birth, and reproductive cancers, in order to reduce preventable baby loss.
We focus on these conditions many of which are common and cause heartache, anxiety and sadness, to try to improve people’s lives. We funded our own research building, The Institute of Reproductive and Developmental Research (IRDB), which is famous for innovation. We are part of Imperial College London, one of the world’s top ten universities and one of the most active in research. We collaborate closely with many leading scientists in other specialities.
Our Story
Our charity was founded after the Second World War. The medical community realised that diseases affecting women and their families were common but often poorly researched and many treatments were unproved. The original foundation was the Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, three collaborating institutions – Chelsea Hospital for Women, Queen Charlotte’s and Hammersmith Hospital.
When the NHS closed Chelsea Hospital, Queen Charlotte’s moved to Hammersmith where the Institute was rebuilt. Eventually the charity was renamed The Genesis Research Trust but income continued from its doctors giving earnings from private practice to the Trust.
Recently, Genesis has also been brilliantly sustained by its wonderful supporters who understand the value of women’s health. Many undertake demanding activities for us, including heroic bike rides and other events in many parts of the world.
Over time, we have raised and spent around £80 million for research. Our achievements include advances in pregnancy care, reduction of birth injury in babies and premature labour, better understanding of miscarriage, new ways to prevent genetic disease, advances in women’s cancer treatments, new hormone and ovarian therapies, better contraception and major innovations in fertility treatment including IVF. The doctors and top scientists we have trained go on to provide these treatments nationally, practising globally on every continent.
Our Staff Team
We have a small responsive team as we want to spend as much as we can of the income you generously give us on world class, life-changing research.
Stephen Button is director of services, the point of contact for enquiries.
Jade Feast and Gabriela Mereu administer our Symposium Office, for educational events and symposia for medical specialists and scientists, as well as for the general public.
Joe Campbell heads communications, marketing and digital services
Our Trustees
Linda Loftus
Director of her own company Marks Productions Ltd, which is involved in the entertainment industry, Linda has always been interested in science and has an eclectic and comprehensive collection of science fiction books. Linda’s early career started in advertising and marketing across a number of industries including construction, mobile telephony and film and television. She is involved in a number of charities including Camp Simcha, an organisation that improves the quality of life of children suffering from Cancer or other life threatening illnesses. However, Genesis Research Trust is particularly close to her heart as without the expertise and care of Professor Robert Winston and his team, she would not be alive today nor have a teenage daughter.
Phillip Bennett
Professor Phillip Bennett BSc PHD MD FRCOG is one of the country’s leading academics in obstetrics. He was promoted to professor at a young age and has held the position with distinction since 1996. Phillip Bennett was born and educated in Kent and graduated in medical education at St George’s Hospital London in 1982. His papers are regularly published in a number of journals. He is an excellent lecturer and has an international reputation based on his scientific research. Professor Bennett’s commitment to the health service is considerable as he also runs an obstetric service both at Hammersmith Hospital and Queen Charlotte’s Hospital. In his spare time Phil enjoys sailing and riding his motorbike – he is also an accomplished pianist.
Angela Hodes
Angela Hodes is a barrister with extensive experience in all aspects of family and matrimonial law and now known for her work in the Court of Protection in cases concerning health and welfare decision making for adults who lack capacity where she is regularly instructed by the Official Solicitor. She is an accredited mediator and regularly mediates a range of family, health and social care disputes. Beyond her own practice she is an honorary legal advisor and on the management committee of a national children’s charity for fostering and adoption.
Anthony Rosenfelder
Anthony Rosenfelder is the Chairman of Veritas Investment Partners Limited. He was the founder of Veritas Investment AG in Zurich in 1993. He previously served on the Board of Rothschild Asset Management Ltd. in London, and began his career in New York City. Anthony holds a B.Sc. (Econ) from the London School of Economics and an MBA from Harvard Business School. Besides Genesis Research Trust, Anthony is a trustee of The British Friends of Shaare Zedek Medical Centre Jerusalem and The Jerusalem Foundation UK. He is also an advisor to several families.
Catherine Williamson
Professor Catherine Williamson MD FRCP has been Professor of Obstetric Medicine at Imperial College since 2007. She is a leading clinical researcher in maternal medicine in the UK and internationally. Her principal research focus is on the maternal and fetal aetiology and outcomes of a common liver disease of pregnant women, obstetric cholestasis (OC). She is part of the UK team running a clinical trial to find the best treatments. Catherine also uses a large database to study the outcome of tumours of endocrine glands in pregnant women in the UK, with the aim of improving treatment for affected mothers and their unborn babies. She also works on prediction of diseases in pregnant women. Catherine is an author of the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal Deaths and is a member of the genetic steering group of the UK Genetics of Pre-eclampsia consortium. Professor Williamson receives referrals to the specialist obstetric medicine clinic at Queen Charlotte’s & Hammersmith Hospital from colleagues in the UK and internationally and regularly speaks about medical disorders of pregnancy at international courses and conferences. Catherine has two children and in her spare time, enjoys cycling, swimming and days out with her family.
Stephen Franks
Stephen Franks is Professor of Reproductive Endocrinology at Imperial College Faculty of Medicine and Consultant Endocrinologist at St Mary’s and Hammersmith Hospitals, London. He trained in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology and his initial research was in disorders of human prolactin secretion under the supervision of Howard Jacobs and John Nabarro at the Middlesex Hospital, London. He then spent 2 years as a postdoctoral research fellow in reproductive endocrinology in the lab of Dr Fred Naftolin at McGill University, Montreal (funded by an MRC Travelling Fellowship) before returning to resume his training in endocrinology with Bill Hoffenberg in Birmingham. He is a former Chairman of the Society for Endocrinology (UK), currently sits on their Clinical Committee and is a long-term member of the Society for Reproduction and Fertility. He is a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences and holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Uppsala, Sweden. He is a former editor of the journal, Clinical Endocrinology.