CEO & Medical Advisory Board

Since becoming CEO of TNA UK, Aneeta has overseen the day-to-day delivery and development of trustee-approved services, with a focus on accessibility, reach and quality. During this period, the Association’s membership has increased approximately threefold and the number of Regional Support Groups has more than doubled.

She has overseen the expansion of support including the freephone helpline, e-helpline, Friendship Line, Regional Support Groups, webinars and digital services. These developments have helped TNA UK reach more people seeking information, reassurance, peer support and connection.

Aneeta leads TNA UK’s national webinar programme, bringing leading UK and international clinicians, researchers and other experts directly to patients, families, carers and healthcare professionals. The programme became particularly important during the COVID-19 pandemic, when many members were isolated and some were using online technology for the first time. Members described the webinars as a lifeline, helping them understand trigeminal neuralgia, treatment pathways and surgical and procedural options while remaining connected to others living with the condition.

She also supported successful applications for in-kind assistance to improve digital inclusion, including access to tablets and internet connectivity. This enabled people at risk of isolation to attend webinars, access online support and remain connected with the TNA UK community.

Aneeta conceived and developed the #FaceOfTN and #ShowTN3Fingers awareness campaigns. The three-finger symbol represents the three main branches of the trigeminal nerve and provides a simple visual way to raise awareness of an often invisible condition. Both campaigns have attracted participation from people affected by trigeminal neuralgia in the UK and internationally.

She has also produced and coordinated educational and awareness videos for TNA UK’s digital channels, helping make specialist information more accessible to patients and families.

Under trustee governance, Aneeta has led the development of TNA UK’s largest patient survey programme, strengthening the charity’s patient-reported evidence on diagnosis, treatment, medication, access to specialist care and the wider impact of trigeminal neuralgia on everyday life. This evidence is being used to support service development, professional education, research engagement and future advocacy.

Aneeta is also a trustee of The Neurological Alliance, contributing to wider work to improve services and outcomes for people living with neurological conditions.

Outside TNA UK, Aneeta is the founder of Freedom Charity, which works to prevent forced marriage, female genital mutilation and other forms of abuse and exploitation. She has written two novels supporting Freedom’s educational and safeguarding work.

Her wider public-service experience includes membership of the Metropolitan Police Authority and more than two decades of service as a magistrate in the adult, youth and family courts.

Aneeta holds an honorary Doctor of Letters from the University of Winchester and has appeared across major television and radio networks as a commentator on safeguarding, human rights and public-interest issues. Her work has also been featured in national newspapers and magazines.

Her honours and recognition include the Prime Minister’s Points of Light Award in 2014, inclusion in the Evening Standard Progress 1000 for four consecutive years and selection for British Airways’ BA 100, which recognised 100 people who had helped shape modern Britain.

Aneeta was appointed a Member of the Order of the British Empire for services to charity.