Appointment to the board of trustees 2025

Find out more about the trustees:

Cara Bethell – Country representative for England (South)

I began my career with a BSc in Psychology with Ergonomics, driven by a fascination with human behaviour and interaction. During my year in industry with the Rail Safety Standards Board, I conducted research into child-friendly safety signage, which was later used by Arriva Trains Wales and also published—an achievement I remain proud of.

I went on to train as a Speech and Language Therapist at City University and have been practising for over 10 years. My career has included roles within the NHS and Local Authority, working with children with a range of speech, language, and communication needs, across Hertfordshire, Kent, London and Surrey. In 2022, I established my own independent practice, supporting families, nurseries, and schools in and around Surrey.

I served as ASLTIP’s Board Director for Conference and Events (2024-2025). During this time, I passionately contributed to the planning and delivery of the annual Therapy Talks conference, further fostering my commitment to professional development and support within our field. My experience on the ASLTIP Board has been both personally and professionally enriching, and I am excited to bring that same energy and dedication as a trustee of the RCSLT.

Outside of work, while my family is my main priority, I enjoy seeking new adventures and experiences – I’ve flown a plane, driven a train, and released baby turtles!

Laura Mizzi – General Trustee

In my first SLT role, I worked with children in Liverpool. I have now worked in Dublin, Melbourne, and several English northern towns, across most adult clinical areas and settings. I prefer community-based work.

Over three years, I undertook a regional leadership fellowship. I completed the ILM Level 5 qualification in coaching and mentoring and trained as a 360° feedback facilitator. My dissertation for an MSc in Healthcare Leadership focussed on the barriers and opportunities for AHP leadership and career development. I’ve now published in the BMJ Leader journal and in the BMJ Leader blog. This fellowship significantly shaped how I approach things and sparked an interest in health policy and strategy. I have recently completed an MSc in Health Policy: my dissertation focussed on the influencing factors on SLT integration into palliative and end-of-life care.

I’m passionate about interprofessional leadership, alongside hearing the voices of under-served service users and professionals. I am excited to volunteer again for the RCSLT, having previously served on the PPPC, the grants panel, and a working group refreshing the leadership pages.

Sandra Robinson – General Trustee

I trained as a mature student and qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist from Leeds Metropolitan (now Beckett) University in 2006, and later completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Research at the University of Leeds. I’m the Director of Speech Therapy Works Ltd., working with adults who have acquired communication and swallowing difficulties.

Following NHS roles across acute medicine, critical care, respiratory services and working in private neurorehabilitation as a manager, I now focus primarily on dysphagia (and tracheostomy) therapy, consultancy, training and supervision across the UK, in a range of healthcare settings and with industry/companies.

I currently serve as a Registrant Panel Member with the HCPC Tribunal Service, having previously trained with ACAS as a mediator and Unite as a workplace representative.

I hold the RCSLT Sternberg Award for Clinical Innovation for co-development of a postgraduate dysphagia training programme, and I’ve contributed to RCSLT position papers and working groups on Eating, Drinking and Swallowing. I am a member of ASLTIP, attend Tracheostomy CEN meetings and am a member of the AI for Speech and Language Therapists Network Committee.

Deanne Rennie – General Trustee

I qualified as a speech and language therapist in 1994 following my degree at Newcastle University. I worked clinically as a speech and language therapist specialising in children’s speech and language needs across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland. I have a passion for continuous improvement and research and have previously worked at De Montfort University as a senior lecturer on their speech and language therapy programme, where I still maintain an honorary contract. I progressed through clinical leadership roles initially in speech and language therapy and then more broadly in Allied Health Professions. I am currently an Associate Director of AHPs and quality at Leicestershire Partnership Trust and also co-chair the Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland AHPs Council. I am passionate about compassionate and inclusive leadership and provide mentorship and coaching to aspiring future leaders as well as receiving this myself. I am currently undertaking my ILM Level 7 Executive Coaching and Mentoring qualification as I believe in supporting others to be the best they can as others have done for me. I am committed to working in my role as an RCSLT General Trustee as I remain as passionate about the profession, I chose to go into 35 years ago. I aspire to bring my expertise and passion to support the professional body and its members to continue to grow and develop.

Fiona Gardiner – Scotland Trustee

I qualified as a Speech and Language Therapist from Jordanhill College of Education in 1991 and later completed a Master’s by research at the University of Queensland, supported by a Rotary International Scholarship. This experience sparked a lifelong interest in evidence-based practice and communication as a tool for inclusion and wellbeing.

I’ve worked across adult and paediatric services in the NHS and internationally — including the UK, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. These experiences have strengthened my belief in the adaptability and creativity of our profession, and in the importance of collaboration, compassion, and advocacy in everything we do.

In recent years, I’ve held leadership roles in adult neurology and dysphagia services and contributed to initiatives such as implementing the International Dysphagia Diet Standardisation Initiative (IDDSI) in healthcare settings. I was privileged to serve as lead author for the RCSLT Curriculum Guidance, working with an inspiring group of colleagues whose insight, generosity, and shared expertise made the process both motivating and deeply rewarding. I now combine part-time lecturing at Queen Margaret University with ongoing professional practice, supporting learning, innovation, and person-centred care across our profession.