Our SEN Weight Management team are all experts in their specific fields. Each one draws on countless years of experience in medical, coaching and nutrition backgrounds.

Sudip Ghosh(Prof) MD, PhD, FESC, FRCS, FRCGP, is a Consultant Physician & Deputy Medical Director and Professor of Medicine at Leicester School of Allied Health Sciences.

Sudip brings decades of medical experience to the SEN Weight Management programme, having worked at the forefront of cardiovascular medicine for more than 30 years. Describing his career history, he says: “I started my medical training in 1988 and completed my further medical specialisation by 2003 in cardiovascular medicine and surgery with a PhD.

“I am a Fellow of Royal Colleges of Surgeon and Physicians and currently practice as Consultant Cardiovascular Physician and a GP in Leicestershire. I am a Professor of Medicine at Leicester Universities and also hold an Honorary Adjunct Professorship with Harvard Medical School, where I did a senior fellowship in 2005. I have been awarded a Hunterian Professorship by Royal College of Surgeons and I hold several positions of leadership within the health care economy in Leicestershire and Rutland.”

Impressive, we think you’ll agree. So what can he bring to our new initiative? “I bring 30 years’  experience in cardiovascular disease and the science that we have learnt from research in weight-gain and long-term condition development that is essentially causing premature mortality within our population. This is more than just obesity; it’s the understanding of how that leads to premature cardiovascular disease from hypertension, diabetes and metabolic syndrome.”

Dr Julia Sen MB ChB, MRCOphth, FRCSEd(Ophth), is a Consultant Ophthalmic Plastic, Reconstructive & Cosmetic Surgeon working in both the NHS and private practice.

Julia is renowned across the region as a leading consultant ophthalmic plastic, reconstructive and cosmetic surgeon. In addition to her work in the NHS, she also practices privately at Spire South Bank Hospital and at her Clinic in Bromsgrove where she specialises in aesthetics.

“Throughout my career I have always been interested in a holistic approach to health care, especially when it comes to weight,” she explains. “The biggest challenge I have overcome in my life has been getting my weight under control. Whilst I’m proud of my professional achievements, they didn’t stop me feeling unhappy with what I saw in the mirror. I fell into the trap of constant dieting, without realising that this was perpetuating the problem.

“The science of weight control is not something doctors are trained in and it is only through my own research that I now understand it. Armed with this knowledge I have finally shed the extra pounds that have plagued me since my mid-teens and, most importantly, kept them off. Because of this personal struggle I can fully empathise and help to support others in their journey to a healthy weight. Weight control is an important aspect of health but I also want to support and encourage everyone to adopt a lifestyle that supports lifelong physical and mental wellbeing, not just the ability to slip on a size 10 little black dress.”

Louise Dunford is a nutritionist with a PhD and BSc (Hons) in Nutrition from the University of Nottingham and is currently Associate Professor at De Montfort University in Leicester.

As a qualified nutritionist, Louise brings her experience working in weight management clinics to the SEN programme. “I have worked in weight management clinics for the NHS and am really passionate about helping people to lose weight through changes that are possible to sustain for the long run. The SEN Weight Management Programme shares the same ethos. I don’t agree with diets, as they rarely work in the longer term. Making changes to food choices, portion size, and increasing general levels of activity, which are personalised for individuals, are more likely to lead to sustained weight loss.”

She will be sharing her invaluable knowledge with those on our programme, guiding them through making healthier choices and learning more about the foods they eat. “During the 12 weeks I will be having three consultations about nutrition with our clients. I will focus on tailoring advice and setting goals according to their individual circumstances and needs, to make a programme that is sustainable and will lead to success.” And her advice for anyone looking at changing their eating habits? “Use a bowl rather than a large plate for meals involving pasta or rice. It makes a portion look bigger, and tricks you into thinking you have eaten more than you have.”

Steve Baguley is a Coaching Psychologist and Accredited Executive Coach at De Montfort University. With a BSc in Psychology and MSc in Forensic Psychology, he has worked in forensic and health settings in the Midlands. 

Steve originally trained and worked as an Applied Psychologist in Criminal Justice and Health settings before moving into Higher Education. He completed his training and accreditation as an Executive Coach in 2018 and started his private practice. “I am a big believer in taking a holistic and systemic approach to behaviour change – we need to understand the process of change, our motivations to do this and how we can draw on the support around us to keep that change going,” he explains. “The SEN programme allows us to provide these extra dimensions of support; giving clients a greater chance of sustaining weight loss and maintaining the lifestyle changes needed to achieve this.

“Over the last two decades I have helped people to address problem behaviours and maintain positive lifestyle changes across a very wide range of issues such as drug/alcohol addiction, anger management, parenting skills and mental health.” Working with nutritionist Louise, his role within our team is to provide mindfulness-informed psychological support helping clients understand their relationship with food, their motivations to change and supporting them through this process.

Want to know more about our expert-led weight management plan? Click here for more information.