Meet our team
The people behind cognivate
who we are
Co-founded by Jane, Eve and Martha, our highly experienced team brings together neuropsychology, occupational therapy, physiotherapy, and speech and language therapy.
Jane is a Clinical Neuropsychologist and Professor of Psychology, having previously worked at the Institute of Psychiatry (KCL), Goldsmiths, and the University of Surrey. Her research has included establishing and evaluating the RNRU Outreach Team (on which cognivate is based), demonstrating the benefits of interdisciplinary community rehabilitation for people at any stage after brain injury.
Professor Jane Powell
CEO and Acting Clinical Director
& Neuropsychologist
Alison is an experienced Neuro Occupational Therapist who has also been a Lecturer at London South Bank University. She has worked in diverse neurorehabilitation services specialising in supporting stroke early discharge, wheelchair provision, and augmentative and alternative communication at the Royal Hospital for Neurodisability. Her specific expertise includes cognitive, upper limb and vocational rehabilitation.
Alison Hipkiss
Neuro Occupational
Therapist
Kate is a Neuro Speech and Language Therapist [SLT] whose extensive experience has included 12 years as Principal SLT with Guys & St Thomas’ Community Services and working with the Wolfson Cognitive Assessment service; she has also worked in independent practice. Her specialisms include management of cognitive communication and swallowing impairments after head injury.
Kate Balzer
Neuro Speech and
Language Therapist
Kathy is a Neurophysiotherapist whose expertise in working with adults after acquired brain injury (ABI) is based on experience gained from roles based in several large Teaching NHS Trusts. This included nine years at the National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, from which she moved to lead a Community Neuro Team in Surrey. Her specialist areas include upper limb rehabilitation and optimising physical activity and exercise.
Kathy McDougall
Neuro Physiotherapist
Eve, our COO, was formerly Head of Growth at a government technology startup (Apolitical) where she built and led the growth and marketing team. She has a BA in Politics, Psychology and Sociology from the University of Cambridge, and a PGCE from UCL. She previously worked as a teacher in East London as part of the Teach First Leadership Development Programme.
Eve Powell
Chief Operations Officer
Our associates
Our experienced team of associates that work with Cognivate
Annette Schwartz
Annette Farrant
Claire Hanson
Claire Bennett
Katherine Gibbon
Katie Harp
Liz Acland
Martha Turner
Ronda Boswell
Our Advisory board
Cognivate are supported by a board of eminent external advisors with expertise in neurology, neuropsychiatry, therapies, medicolegal issues, and technology. We draw on them in shaping our provision and also in accessing their expertise in relation to individual clients, as needed.