Trustees

Jean has been a Trustee with Vista for nearly 4 years and has recently taken on the role of Chair of the Board. Jean is a highly experienced retired Head Orthoptist, with over 43 years’ experience in practice at St James's University Hospital in Leeds, and more recently the Leicester Royal Infirmary. Jean has been a Vista volunteer for some time, throwing herself into children’s activities and our early intervention projects and helping us explore new ways for Vista to get involved in health and social care and support.

Dr Aadil Kazi joined Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust in August 2025 as Group Research and Development Director. Aadil is responsible for leading the delivery of the Trust’s research strategy and overseeing the management of clinical research activity across the group. 

Aadil brings a wealth of experience from his roles as Manager of the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) at Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust and University College London (UCL) Institute of Ophthalmology. His background spans research leadership, strategic planning, and operational delivery, with a strong focus on collaboration and innovation. 

Aadil began his career as a researcher and has remained committed to supporting clinical research across the NHS. He is passionate about making research meaningful, which means helping to turn scientific discoveries into real improvements for patient care and public health.

Aadil grew up in Leicester and joined Vista in February 2023 to combine his experience of working in the health sector and enthusiasm to contribute to the local community.

Phil was born with congenital glaucoma and has been severely sight impaired from a very young age.  He has over 30 years experience working in the field of IT in roles including Programming and Design, Analysis and bespoke software Support Management.  His interests/hobbies have included cars, horses, cycling, walking and acoustic rifle target shooting.

Wendy spent many years as a solicitor in private practice. After she retired she became a volunteer for the Witness Service and a Schools Admissions Appeals Panel member, where she chaired the independent review panel for permanent exclusions. She also chaired or was a member of several disciplinary panels.

 Although her mother was blind, Wendy never thought it would happen to her.  It has been humbling and, at times, a frightening experience.  She hopes to use her experience and knowledge to help make life a little easier for those experiencing sight loss.

Meredith Wilkinson is a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at De Montfort University in Leicester.  As someone with a severe visual impairment since birth, Meredith is proud to come on board as a trustee of Vista and utilise her lived experience within her role.  In her work life, her research and writing focuses on advocacy for staff and students within Higher Education. In her spare time, she enjoys reading.   

James has over 30 years’ experience of working in senior communications roles for major national organisations in both the public and private sectors including over 20 years in the healthcare sector.

He is a former trustee of Voluntary Action South Leicestershire which provides community support in Leicestershire and Rutland. He also served for over a decade as a school governor in London and Market Harborough.

James joined the Vista Board in August 2025. He believes strongly that our communities need and deserve better access to information and practical support concerning visual impairment which is one of the leading healthcare issues which many people will face in their lives be that themselves, family members or friends.