The CSP is delighted to have had royal patronage, and to have two dedicated and proactive campaigners, committed to promoting physiotherapy, as its President and Vice-President.
Our late Patron: Her Majesty the Queen
The late Queen was Patron of the CSP from 1953 until her death in 2022, and sent her royal greetings to members every year at the AGM. Her Majesty attended the CSP’s Diamond Jubilee reception at Fishmongers’ Hall in 1980.
Our President: Professor The Baroness Finlay of Llandaff
Baroness Ilora Finlay was appointed as President of the CSP in 2001 and received an Honorary Fellowship of the CSP in 2011 in recognition of her passion for and promotion of the contribution that physiotherapists make to many aspects of health and wellbeing. She is also a fervent supporter of the profession and the work of the CSP.
Ilora was made a life peer in 2001. She is Professor of Palliative Medicine at Cardiff University School of Medicine and a consultant at the Velindre Cancer Centre in Cardiff. She is a Deputy Speaker in the House of Lords, Crossbench Peer and co-Chair of the think-tank Living & Dying Well. She is also Vice-President of Hospice UK and Marie Curie Cancer Care.
Our Vice-President: Alex MacKenzie
Alex was appointed as Vice-President in November 2022 after serving as chair of the CSP Council from 2018 to 2022.
Alex is a clinical lead in acute physiotherapy in NHS Grampian. As clinical lead, she is deputy lead for physiotherapy in the acute sector of NHS Grampian. Previously she worked in acute oncology and haematology, both roles as part of a job share. Alex has been a steward for most of her career and a regional steward for Scotland. She has a keen interest in trade unionism, having chaired both the National Group of Regional Stewards and the CSP Industrial Relations Committee, and has participated in TUC conferences.