Meet Cobalt's Leadership Team
Jim Brown
Chief Executive
Malcolm MacKeith
Executive Projects Consultant
Karen Hackling-Searle
Director of Clinical Operations
Charlotte Morris
Head of Marketing
Sue Wood
Head of Business Administration
Rachel Burke
Head of HR
Louise Cook
Head of Fundraising
Jennifer Piff
Finance Director
Dr. Umesh Udeshi
Medical Director and Consultant Radiologist
Prof. Iain Lyburn
Research Director and Consultant Radiologist
Jim Brown, CEO
Karen Hackling-Searle, Director of Clinical Operations
After working in chemical pathology at Cheltenham General hospital, Karen chose to follow a different routine in healthcare and qualified as a diagnostic radiographer in 1993. Karen took the unusual step of joining Cobalt as a part time MRI radiographer working on Gloucestershire’s first 0.5Tesla mobile scanner, rather than working within the NHS as a newly qualified radiographer. Karen has enjoyed various roles raising in seniority and has been responsible for the development of clinical governance and regulatory frameworks within the organisation, and initial implementation of the quality services in imaging accreditation and held to responsibility for infection prevention and control lead for several years. As the Director of Clinical Operations , now provides leadership and encouragement to the clinical teams across the breadth of the imaging services.
Charlotte Morris, Head of Marketing
Charlotte has led the marketing strategy for Cobalt for nearly fourteen years and has held senior management roles within the healthcare sector since 2007. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and completed her Diploma in Professional Marketing in 2022. She said ‘The agility and ambition of this ‘great little charity making a huge impact’ is what keeps my role fresh, there is always an opportunity for us to challenge the status quo for the benefit of our patients, and I am proud of everything we have achieved so far and, excited for where we are going.
She enjoys travel, long distance running and walking with Indiana her sidekick Weimaraner, singing in a choir, line-dancing and learning to play the piano.
Louise Cook, Head of Fundraising
Louise has over 20 years of experience in the sector working with a range of organisations which include Longfield Community Hospice, N & N Hospitals Charity, Macmillan, Cancer Research UK, Barnardos and the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. She holds an MBA from Imperial College, London and recently completed her International Advanced Diploma in Fundraising at the Chartered Institute where she is also volunteer Vice Chair of the Health Special Interest Group.
Louise lives in Painswick with her husband and two dogs (Margo the Airedale and Ralf the terrier X). Her daughter is currently studying at Reading University.
Sue Wood, Head of Business Administration
Sue is an experienced administrative leader with over 45 years in roles spanning accountancy; conveyancing, probate and special educational needs law; primary and further education; NHS clinical commissioning and Cobalt. As Head of Business Administration at Cobalt, she oversees key operational teams—bookings, reception, medical secretaries, and estates—ensuring patients receive diagnostic imaging services with care, safety, and compassion.
She holds an Associate membership with the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (Assoc CIPD), a British Psychoanalytic Council Certificate in Counselling Skills, and is a certified Mental Health First Aider through MHFA England. These qualifications underscore her dedication to fostering supportive, respectful, and inclusive working environments.
At the heart of Sue’s professional ethos are the values she lives by: family, openness, kindness, and respect. These principles guide her leadership and her dedication to creating environments where people feel seen, supported, and valued.
Rachel Burke, Head of HR
With over 30 years’ human resources experience in financial services and the third sector, Rachel joined the charity in 2022 as Head of HR. Passionate about the difference Cobalt makes, Rachel’s firm belief is that our people are our greatest asset and make the charity the success it is.
Having completed a degree in English literature, modern history and politics, Rachel moved to Cheltenham and went on to gain her Level 7 CIPD qualification. When not at work Rachel enjoys spending time with her two daughters, visiting the theatre, reading and listening to live music.
Malcolm MacKeith, Executive Projects Consultant
Malcolm MacKeith, is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, and has 30 years of experience working in not for profit organisations. He joined Cobalt in January 2016 as Finance Director and in November 2023, was asked by the charity’s trustees to step in as Interim CEO, where he was privileged to enjoyed engaging with the wider team, volunteers and Cobalt’s partner organisations who are instrumental to the success of the charity.
Formerly as a trustee of COACH, he was part of a team that fundraised for and delivered a £1m community sports hub on the River Tone in Taunton.
Malcolm is looking forward to retiring in December 2025 and spending more time with his wife, Rosemary, visiting their daughters on Exmoor and in NZ.
Prof. Iain Lyburn, Research Director and Consultant Radiologist
Iain Lyburn is Cobalt’s Research Director, a Consultant Radiologist at Gloucestershire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, and a Visiting Professor at Cranfield University. He has co-authored more than 100 peer-reviewed scientific papers on a wide range of topics, focusing more recently on cancer and dementia imaging. He began working at Cobalt in 2003 and has since been a co-applicant on scientific grants totalling over £25million. He is a past President of the UK Radiological Congress, has chaired National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) committees, and was a member of the Administration of Radioactive Substances Act Committee (ARSAC) for 9 years.
Dr. Umesh Udeshi, Medical Director and Consultant Radiologist
Dr Umesh Udeshi is a consultant radiologist who has worked in the NHS for over 33 years, in independent practise exclusively for 4 years, and with Cobalt Health for over 32 years. His main interests are MSK radiology and uroradiology. He also runs a unique ‘one stop MRI and report service’ at Cobalt Health for patients who want to have an MSK scan and see him immediately after the scan for a written report and an explanation of the findings.
He is passionate about education and has previously been an honorary senior clinical lecturer for the University of Birmingham, visiting lecturer for Birmingham City University. He lectures on imaging topics to allied health professionals, GP’s, resident doctors and medical students. He has published in peer reviewed journals and presented at regional, national and international medical conferences.
He has been a technical assessor for ISAS (Imaging Services Accreditation Scheme), a peer reviewer for multiple cancer peer reviews and a member of the Royal College of Radiologists Service Review Committee. Since November 2022 he is also medical director at Cobalt Health.