Brainwave announces new CEO for its 30th Birthday

Release Date: 30/11/2011

Children’s charity Brainwave has announced a change at the top.

Phil Edge, who was previously Brainwave’s Head of Therapy, has taken over as Chief Executive Officer. Phil will take the helm from 1 December and brings to the role a combination of continuity and widespread experience, having been with the Charity for 25 years.

Phil said ‘I am delighted to have taken on this role. Thanks to all our many loyal supporters, Brainwave has doubled in size in five years and despite the financial climate, we are continuing to show growth. 2012 is our 30th birthday and I am very much looking forward to leading the Charity and its very dedicated staff in this special year’.

Brainwave works with families to deliver home based therapies and exercises to help children with disabilities and Developmental Delay reach their full potential. It has three Centres (Essex, Cheshire and Somerset) and undertakes satellite clinics in both Ireland and Scotland.

Places on the programme are available for children at all three Centres. For more information see www.brainwave.org.uk ; email: enquiries@brainwave.org.uk or phone: 01278 429089. Contact: Press information: Jane Adkins, Tel: 01935 813114 or email: jane@aheadforpr.co.uk

Notes to Editors

1. After completing his degree in Economics and Business Studies, Phil Edge began his career in the charitable sector by taking a sabbatical position as chairman of the fund raising committee at Aberystwyth University where he had studied. He followed this by joining Help the Aged as a community fund raiser for two years before joining Brainwave in 1986 as a Developmental Therapist. After opening and running the charity's first satellite centre in Lancashire in 1989, he became Head of Therapy in 1993. Since then Phil has overseen the development and growth of the therapy services provided by the charity and has run clinics in Japan, Finland and Switzerland as well as closer to home in Scotland and Ireland. 2. Phil takes over from Christine Cryne, who has been in post since 2008 and is retiring. 3. Carl Puzey, who has been with Brainwave for 20 years, takes over as Head of Therapy. He was previously the Centre Manager of the South West Centre in Bridgwater. 4. Brainwave’s team of physiotherapists, occupational therapists development therapists and teachers seek to transform the lives of children with disabilities. By working with parents, giving them relevant therapy equipment and teaching them correct handling skills, they are empowered to actively participate in their child’s development. 5. Families are invited to the Centre for a two day Initial Assessment where the child is assessed and a Programme designed for the child. On the second day the family are shown how to undertake the exercises, which they then carry out at home, retuning to the Centre every 4-6 months when the exercises are adjusted. 6. Brainwave currently has over 530 families on Programme nationally. 7. See the charity’s videos at http://uk.youtube.com/BrainwaveCentre . 8. Brainwave uses mainstream neuroplasticity techniques in its programmes. Most of it therapists are also NHS trained.