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The Team
Meet our people

Leadership Team

Non-Executive Chairman – Jean-Michel Deckers

Jean-Michel is Non-Executive Chairman of Orpheus Mind Technologies and Head of the Life Science practice at Actoria International, a financial advisory firm based in Switzerland. Jean-Michel has a global perspective, having worked in senior executive roles across Europe and Asia, predominantly in large US multinational organisations. With foundations in Finance, Jean-Michel has since held General Management and Board positions over the last decade, advising and managing high growth start-ups in the life sciences and technology fields. His passion and track record are in helping management teams to develop ideas into flourishing businesses, grounded in sound strategies and solid governance principles.

Chief Executive Officer & Founder – Dr David Jay

David holds a BSc (Hons) from the University of Manchester and a GSK-funded Doctorate from the University of Durham. Subsequently, he was Founder/Director of a University of Durham spin-out company, before entering the world of executive recruitement in 2007. David set up David Jay Associates – an executive search firm – in 2017 where he specialised in board and senior executive appointments in the Life Sciences industry. He is a director, CEO, lead investor and co-founder of Orpheus Mind Technologies.

Group Innovation Director – Tim Phizackerley

Tim holds a BEd (Hons) degree from Lancaster University and is a full-time mental health practitioner with an international reputation and client list.  His early career started as a computer analyst, working on government mainframe systems but, following an incredibly challenging period in his personal life during which he nearly lost his wife to terminal illness, he became fascinated by the human mind and its abilities. This experience led him to transition into clinical therapy and since that time he has constantly innovated. Emotional resilience, mindset, and ways to create emotional calm have been a focus of intense study for Tim and his work has been featured in the media and other publications. Tim leads the development of the Orpheus Decoupling Process and is passionate about improving mental health provision.

Group Medical Director – Dr Stuart Watson

Stuart is a Clinical Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University and Consultant Psychiatrist in inpatient services care with the NTW Foundation NHS Trust. He also works with the Clinical Research Network. In the North-East and North Cumbria, he is co-lead for mental health, and deputy industry lead (cross-specialty) with a lead role in investigator initiated trials and, nationally, he is workstream lead for commercial research.

Group Technology Director – Bence Dragsits

Group Development Director – Erik Bisanz

Group Relationships Director – Susan Laurie

Susan is Group Relationships Director and leads commercial (B2B) networking activites for Orpheus. Following university, she pursued a marketing career in the pharmaceutical industry before succumbing to a serious drinking problem which escalated to a life-threatening situation. Her autobiography, “From Rock Bottom To Sober Forever“, provides inspiration to many. Having been saved by an earlier evolution of Orpheus, Susan is an author, mental health advocate and campaigner for change to the attitudes and treatment pathways available. She contributed to the House of Lords Commission on Alcohol Harm and writes for the Alcohol Health Alliance and Alcohol Change UK. Susan is part of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Alcohol Harm and was recognised as a ‘Woman of The Year’ in 2020.

International Director, Orpheus Academy – April Adams

April is an Orpheus Therapist based in the USA. Since 2015, April has successfully advised hundreds of clients toward achieving emotional peace using the Orpheus system, and now leads the training and events activities for Orpheus Mind Technologies. Her specialties include working with women 30-55, relationship issues, overwhelm, resentment, longing, adverse childhood experiences and limiting beliefs, fears and phobias. April is the author of two bestselling books, has had several television appearances and over 40 podcast interviews throughout her career.

Marketing Director – Lindsey Gardner-Penner

Lindsey is Director of Digital Media and Marketing and leads the digital marketing activities for Orpheus. Following University, she embarked on a career as a designer in the theatre arts. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic Lindsey changed career. He experiences battling her own severe mental health issues which were precipitated by being the mother of a child cancer survivor, experiencing a decade of trauma, grief, and personal loss, brought Lindsey to Orpheus as a client. After having profound, life changing, personal success using the Orpheus Decoupling Process, she is dedicated to helping others find relief from life’s struggles through the use of this innovative, breakthrough intervention.

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