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.
Michelle Matthews – Secretary
Michelle Matthews is an Australian trained Naturopath, herbalist, iridologist and massage therapist with over 15 years clinical experience in the complementary industry. She has worked in Australia, Kenya and now operates her main clinic in Edinburgh, Scotland. Her past work include lecturing, health feature writer for both online and print publications, trainer and educator across Scotland for a UK supplement company.
Michelle’s true passion is that naturopathic medicine should be as mainstream in the UK as it is her own native Australia. Michelle has been the GCRN secretary since October 2016 and she takes pride in helping support members.
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
Jennifer Harper-Deacon
Jennifer is a qualified & registered naturopathic physician, nutritionist, herbalist, acupuncturist, healer, author and award winning journalist, having written ‘What’s the Alternative’ column for The Sunday Times.
She draws upon over 25 years of postgraduate study and practice in the field of Western complementary, traditional Eastern and naturopathic medicine. Jennifer integrates these models for the promotion of health and treatment of dis-ease and combines her multi-disciplinary approach with energy healing and the latest breakthroughs in Functional Medicine. In functional medicine, underlying factors including environmental influences, mind-body elements and gene expression are just some of the areas considered in this integrative, science-based healthcare system. She uses diagnostic tests including a Bio-Energetic Screening device, the Asyra Pro which performs numerous full body scans and delivers restorative remedies to help heal the root causes of any imbalances detected.
Jennifer’s special interest is to focus on health and wellness, to look at ‘preventative medicine’ in all its forms and to help restore the body’s natural equilibrium from the physical to the more emotional and spiritual elements of our human energetic physiology.
Grant Taylor
Grant Taylor is a South African-trained Homeopathic Doctor and Naturopathic physician. He is passionate about healing people through the efficacy of appropriately practiced natural medicine, and using naturopathy to restore “body balance”. After graduating he practiced and lectured in homeopathy and clinical medicine in South Africa while conducting research in a state hospital.
Since moving to the UK in 2000 he has practiced and taught in the fields of homeopathy and naturopathy. Grant strongly supports and upholds the need for educating our naturopaths and complementary practitioners to the highest standards to ensure they are sufficiently trained and equipped to meet the growing health needs in our world. He has served on the GCRN council since 2011.
Grant runs a busy family practice in East Grinstead, West Sussex where he uses classical homeopathy, naturopathy, herbal medicine, diet and detoxification to treat a range of conditions. He has special clinical interests in endocrine and hormonal disorders, digestive system conditions, immune system problems, degenerative neurological conditions, fatigue and fibromyalgia.
Tom Greenfield – Portfolio for technical support and international relations
Tom is deeply involved in naturopathic medicine, 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.
Jennifer Blondel
Jennifer is a naturopath with 25 years clinical experience both in the UK and Australia. She currently runs a busy and successful naturopathic and bioresonance practice in Ilkley, West Yorkshire. She works tirelessly (and joyfully!) to assist in bringing healing and optimal health back to her patients. Additionally, she is a past lecturer, contributor for various newspapers and magazines and author of two natural health books. She brings this wealth of expertise and experience to the GCRN board and its members.
Jennifer has been a member of the GCRN and BNA since 1996 and was a GCRN board member back in 1997. She has witnessed much change in 20 years (mostly for the better!) and feels it a tremendous privilege to be a board member once again. She is committed to devoting the time required to carry out the duties of a Board Member for the GCRN.
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.
