Our people

Since 2022, Karen Jaques has served as the senior regional vice president for sub-Saharan Africa at Operation Smile. She joined Operation Smile UK in January 2016 as its CEO, a position she held for five years before moving into the regional leadership role to guide and support the delivery of Operation Smile’s strategic, operational and program goals in ten countries in Africa. In November 2024, Karen joined the Operation Smile UK Board of Trustees as Interim Chair.

Prior to her work with Operation Smile, Karen worked in Africa, Asia, Europe and the Middle East with international medical development organizations ORBIS, AMREF and THINK Consultants for over 25 years. Her experience spans entrepreneurial business leadership, development and income generation, marketing and communications in both the private and not for profit sectors.

Born in India, raised in Kenya and having lived in Pakistan, Yemen, Hong Kong and Singapore, she feels privileged to be focusing her energies on sub-Saharan Africa, bringing cleft care to the children of Africa where her heart remains and has always been. Karen currently resides in Devon, England, but travels extensively within Africa.

Phil graduated from Liverpool University in Medicine. He is a Consultant in Anaesthetics and Intensive Care at St Richard’s Hospital, Chichester.

He has been Medical Director and a Trustee on the Board of Operation Smile UK since it was registered in 2002 and was featured in the BBC1 documentary about Operation Smile, ‘The Facemakers’, in June 2000 and in the 2009/10 Blue Peter Charity Appeal, ‘Send a Smile’, which also supported the charity.

Phil has been an anaesthesia volunteer with Operation Smile since 1995 and has been on numerous medical projects in Columbia, the West Bank, Romania, India, China, the Philippines, Kenya and Ethiopia.

He is committed to the provision of sustainable healthcare solutions in developing countries and has worked tirelessly to develop the anaesthesia capacity of Jimma University Hospital, Jimma, Ethiopia through the establishment of their Anaesthesia Residency Programme.

Chris has spent his career managing Global Communications agencies, specialising in advertising, digital, PR, media and direct marketing.

He worked 32 years at Havas, most recently as Global Chief Operating Officer. Now a non-executive director, investor and adviser helping high potential companies to realise their true potential.

Chris joined Operation Smile UK’s Board of Trustees in February 2018. He brings a wealth of communication expertise to Operation Smile and works with us to ensure appropriate and relevant mix of communications across diverse communications channels.

Saqib is an international lawyer who advises global companies, boards and individuals facing business-critical issues and helps them resolve such matters from a legal and reputational standpoint. Practicing in London for the last 15 years, Saqib has represented companies and individuals in regulatory investigations, litigation and corporate crises covering dozens of countries around the world.

Saqib graduated from King’s College, University of London, with First Class Honours in Law in 2006. He has previously served as a Justice’s Law Clerk in the Supreme Court of Singapore and as an Assistant Registrar in the High Court of Singapore. He is admitted to practice law in New York, England and Singapore. Saqib joined Operation Smile UK’s Board of Trustees in January 2024.

Diana is a Senior Civil Servant at the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office with a career anchored in international development.

She currently heads up FCDO’s work on Gender and Equalities, working to advance the rights and opportunities for women and girls and marginalised groups around the world. Previous FCDO roles include Head of the Research Department, Head of the UN and Commonwealth Department and Country Director for the expansive UK development operation in Bangladesh.

Before joining the UK’s civil service, Diana held different leadership and operational roles in the international development NGO sector, including Country Director for Voluntary Service Overseas for the Thai and Myanmar programme and Global Communications and Advocacy Manager for the International Save the Children Alliance. After many years working in London and overseas, Diana moved to Scotland and is now based in Edinburgh.

Judy is currently the Company Secretary of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya Limited and Regional Head for Corporate Governance in Africa & Middle East.

Judy joined the Board of Trustees of Operation Smile UK in January 2024 and brings on board over 20 years of legal and corporate governance experience in the banking industry with a strong track record of driving improvement in the effectiveness of Boards in Kenya and across Africa, Middle East, ASEAN and South Asia.

Ingrid Cope is an accomplished legal and strategic leader with over 20 years of experience across global brands including Coca-Cola, Heinz, and Pernod Ricard. Currently at Coca-Cola, Ingrid oversees compliance, governance, and risk for the business in Europe, playing a key role in major partnerships such as the Paris 2024 Olympics. 

Ingrid’s international outlook and experience managing cross-cultural teams make her highly effective in global settings. Ingrid has deep experience in corporate governance, transformation, and regulatory compliance, and has worked in multiple sectors, including government and the third sector. 

Ingrid is passionate about the work of Operation Smile and has a personal connection to the cause – her husband Paul was born with a cleft condition. Both Paul and his late mother Irene, have shared with Ingrid the impact this had in Paul’s early life. Their experiences have given Ingrid a deep appreciation of the challenges faced by children and families navigating similar journeys today.

Patrick is a chartered accountant, with 20 years of experience in investment banking. He is currently the Managing Director of Fox Funding, a property finance business. Previously Patrick was Investment Director of a FTSE-100 corporate, and he spent four years as Finance Director of the Elton John Aids Foundation.

In addition to joining the Operation Smile Board of Trustees, Patrick also brings his extensive experience and expertise to the board’s Finance and Audit Committee.

Michelle Futter brings a wealth of experience in strategic leadership, human resources, and organisational development to the Trustee Board of Operation Smile UK. Her dynamic career spans multiple sectors, and she has held senior roles in both private and charitable organisations.

As the founder and director of MFHR Ltd, she advises organisations on executive recruitment, leadership development, and HR transformation. Michelle is passionate about empowering people and creating lasting change, and she is honoured to contribute her expertise to support Operation Smile’s vision and growth.