Who are we?
The GCRN is run by a dedicated team of volunteers with support from the secretary and the administrator.
Kirsten Hartvig – President
Kirsten is a naturopath, medical herbalist, nutritionist and author of numerous natural health books, courses and articles. Kirsten was born in Denmark, but came to the UK in 1986 to study at the School of Herbal Medicine and the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy. She joined the GCRN in 1993 and taught nutrition and dietetics at the European School of Osteopathy.
Kirsten has run a nature cure retreat in the French Pyrenees, but is now in private practice in Forest Row, East Sussex. She leads local herb walks and the YouTube channel Herb Hunters. She lectures at the Heartwood Professional Medical Herbalist Online Education, and is a Danish government advisor on natural medicine.
Clare Badrick – Past President & Treasurer
Clare is passionate about spreading the health message that naturopathy has to offer. She would like to see naturopathy better known in the public domain and for there to be more highly trained naturopaths to fulfill the growing demand. She works on the GCRN council to achieve this aim.
Clare had a previous career in business and marketing, qualifying as a naturopath and osteopath in 1996. She has served previously in the council, when she was chair of the Education sub-committee. She runs a busy clinic in Godalming in Surrey and specializing in helping those recovering from chronic fatigue syndrome.
Aliyyaa Spring – Vice President
Aliyyaa is a dedicated naturopath and very passionate about natural healthcare. She believes everyone should have access to ethical, evidence-based, drug-free primary care.
She stems from a corporate background having worked in the investment banking industry for over 10 years, before she returned to study her first degree in Biochemistry and Genetics. This was followed by a four year study attaining a BSc (Hons) in naturopathic medicine at the world renowned University of Westminster.
She has an interest in gastrointestinal disorders as well as stress management, and specialises in naturopathic oncology symptom support. Aliyyaa currently runs three private practices in St Albans, Chelsea and Borehamwood.
Lisa Smith – Administrator
Lisa is a well-qualified administrator with a background in healthcare and as a registered manager for the CQC. Lisa has a lot of experience in day to day organisation, team management, marketing, budget, payroll, banking, invoicing, book keeping, bank reconciliation, using accounting software, preparation of year end accounts, stock control, complaints management, health and safety co-ordination, HR (including interviewing, reference and CRB checking), new starter induction, grievances and disciplinaries, PCT liaison, patient finance co-ordination, staff training, implementation and management of computerised systems, database and website management, corporate liaison, CQC & HTM 01/05 & Information Governance Compliance.
Council Members
Tom Greenfield – Portfolio for technical support and international relations
Tom is deeply involved in naturopathic medicine, writing for, working with and educating naturopaths and naturopathic physicians worldwide, as well as speaking to the public. He represents the GCRN on the board of the World Naturopathic Federation. He is active in the field of Generative medicine, holding positions on the boards of the US Institute of Naturopathic Generative Medicine (INGM), and the International College of Generative Medicine (ICGM). He is a researcher and Curator for, and trains physicians in the use of the Opus23 genetic analysis software. He has a naturopathic practice in Canterbury, and runs a blood grouping laboratory for practitioners and the public. During his time as GCRN president he focused on modernisation, instituting several online facilities for the organisation, as well as regulation, in promoting mandatory registration of GCRN members by a register regulated by the UK Professional Standards Association.
Zakia Mance
Zakia was born in France and fell in love with naturopathy when she was about 12 years old and saw her first naturopath – the way he chatted for what seemed hours to get to the bottom of the problem, the holistic approach as well as the educational side of it.
Zakia became so passionate about naturopathy, that she decided to train to become one herself, qualifying 10 years ago. She strongly believes in the power of educating people to take control of their own health. She is also am very organised and driven and fundamentally a people’s person.
Zakia’s particular field of interest lies in childbirth and maternity, and her vision is to help direct the GCRN towards more training and mentoring for existing naturopaths in their specific fields. She is also keen to develop better PR and marketing so that more people know what we do
Emily Harris – Student and new graduate liaison officer
As a lifelong learner, Emily is passionate about supporting students and new graduates of Naturopathy. Emily graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Health Sciences: Naturopathic Medicine at the University of Westminster’s School of Integrated Health in 2011. As Naturopathic medicine comes to the forefront of the public interest, my role with the GCRN aims to support students and new graduates as they embark on the natural path.
Emily has a naturopathic practice in Camberley, Surrey with a particular interest in children’s health and wellbeing.
