Who we are

Patrick Holford BSc, DipION, founded the Brain Bio Centre in 2003 and went on to found the parent charity Food for the Brain in 2005. Patrick trained in psychology in the 1970s and went on to specialise in the nutritional treatment of mental health problems. He became a student of Dr Carl Pfeiffer in Princeton, New Jersey, and Dr Abram Hoffer, former psychiatric research director in Canada. He is the UK representative of the International Society for Orthomolecular Medicine. Since the 1970s Patrick Holford has successfully treated thousands of patients and carried out original research on schizophrenia and learning difficulties, including ground-breaking research in the mid-80s that proved that vitamin supplements could increase IQ scores in children. He is author of the book New Optimum Nutrition for the Mind and is regularly called upon as the nutrition expert for radio and television features. Patrick Holford is CEO of Food for the Brain Foundation, a director of the Brain Bio Centre and a Fellow of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT).

Lorraine Perretta DipION, is a nutritional therapist. She trained at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition. She is author of the book Brain Food and specialises in the nutritional management of mental health problems. Lorraine is a member of the British Association for Applied Nutrition and Nutritional Therapy (BANT).

Deborah Colson DipION, is a nutritional therapist. She trained at the Institute for Optimum Nutrition and specialises in the nutritional management of mental health problems and is co-author of Optimum Nutrition for Your Child, Optimum Nutrition for your Child's Mind and The Alzheimer's Prevention Plan. Deborah is currently a consultant for Food for the Brain, an Academic Tutor for the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, an MSc postgraduate student and a member of BANT and a Nutritional Therapy Council Registered Practitioner.

Dr Shauki Mahomed LRCPandS(I), DPMm MRCPsych Consultant Psychiatrist. He qualified at the Royal College of Surgeons in Dublin and also works in the NHS. He is a specialist in Psychological Medicine and has vast experience in many aspects, both dynamic and organic. He is a firm believer in the importance of nutrition, firstly as a key part of any health programme and secondly to maximise the treatment in the event of illness.

Dr Siobhain Quinn MBChB MRCPsych DipCBT, Consultant Psychiatrist. Dr Quinn trained in London and works in the NHS as well as privately. She is a specialist in liaison psychiatry which addresses the interface between psychological and physical disorders and older people's mental health. She takes a holistic approach to health and disease using a variety of therapies including psychological, pharmacological and mind-body.

Bronia Nowak is the Clinic Manager. She manages appointments and handles all client queries, arrangining biochemical tests, liaison with laboratories and handles all administrative matters. Bronia is usually your first point of contact with the Brain Bio Centre on 020 8332 9600 or info@brainbiocentre.com

Elspeth Stewart BSc(Hons) is a nutritional therapist. She trained at the Centre for Nutritional Education (Middlesex University) and is a member of BANT. Elspeth provides both clinical and administrative support to the Brain Bio Centre team.

Mary-Ann Munford MBA, Bsc, RGN, RMN is the Managing Director. Formerly a Primary Care Trust (PCT) Chief Executive and nurse she is now pursuing her main interests in mental health and wellbeing. Her role is to develop the Brain Bio Centre and ensure high quality services and co-ordination of the team.

We work together as a team to ensure you receive the best possible care and attention.

Brain Bio Centre Board Members

Patrick Holford

Mary-Ann Munford

Professor David Russell - non-executive Director is highly experienced in all aspects of the catering industry and has a keen interest in nutrition. He is Professor of Hospitality & Tourism at Thames Valley University and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. Prior to forming The Russell Partnership, the UK’s leading strategic food consultancy, he was Food and Beverage Director for the 240 Forte (UK) Limited Hotels. David read Hospitality Management at Leeds, is a Freeman of the City of London and mentors a number of leading hospitality services directors within the university and commercial sector.

Maro Limnios LL.B Hons solicitor, DipION is a lawyer and a nutritional therapist, with considerable business experience, primarily as a legal advisor in the shipping industry. She is a trustee of the Institute for Optimum Nutrition, St Andrew’s Greek Cathedral Trust and Saint Sophia Greek Cathedral School.

The Brain Bio Centre is wholly owned by the Food for the Brain Foundation, whose Scientific Advisory Associates include the following:-

Professor David Smith - Chair
Professor Helga Refsum
Professor Peter Ryan
Professor Philip Cowen
Professor Martha Clare Morris

For more information on the Scientific Advisory Board click here