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Meet the orthotic team at the London Orthotic Consultancy

All of our orthotists are fully qualified and registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and are members of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO).

We adhere to a strict code of conduct and ethics, as laid down by the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO). The orthotic needs of our patients are always our first priority and that’s why we aim to provide exceptional clinical care.

  • Sam Walmsley Director, Senior Orthotist (MBAPO)

    Sam qualified in 2001 with a BSc in Prosthetics and Orthotics. After graduating, he worked in the NHS before becoming a founding director of The London Orthotic Consultancy. For 8 years, he ran orthotic clinics at the Tadworth Brain Injury Children’s Trust and Banstead Adult Brain Injury Centre…

    Sam has introduced several new treatments to the UK, most notably pectus excavatum and pectus carinatum. He also introduced a Video Vector Gait Laboratory and began working with Elaine Owen, a leading authority on lower limb gait and orthotic biomechanics. Elaine introduced the Optimal Segment Kinematics and Alignment approach to Rehabilitation (OSKAR), and together we developed our gold standard orthotic clinic to support people with lower limb neurological impairment using this approach.

    In 2017, Sam introduced a new unilateral club foot Cunningham brace to replace the boot and bar.

    Sam has earned a reputation for managing complex orthoses, such as the Neuro HiTronic stance phase control Knee Ankle Foot Orthosis (KAFO) and the Reciprocal Gait Orthosis (RGO). Embracing cutting-edge technology, he has integrated 3D scanning into LOC, transforming the patient experience by eliminating the need for casting; this is particularly beneficial for children.

    Sam has been instrumental in growing The London Orthotic Consultancy into a specialist, evidence-based orthotic practice that has world-leading orthotic treatments at its heart.

    Sam specialises in paediatric orthotics, complex foot & ankle orthotics, lower limb biomechanics, cerebral palsy and post SDR rehabilitation, post-polio syndrome, club foot and non-surgical treatment for pectus carinatum and pectus excavatum.

    Specialist skills

    • Complex neck & spinal injury
    • Upper limb
    • Pectus deformities
    • Knee
    • Ankle/Foot
    • Club foot
    • Cerebral palsy
    • Agilik smart orthosis
    • Post-SDR rehabilitation
    • Post-polio syndrome
    • Gait lab analysis
  • Anna Courtney Clinical Lead Consultant, Senior Orthotist (MBAPO)

    Anna Courtney graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2014 with a First-Class Honours degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics, receiving the prestigious Ossur Prize for academic excellence. Following early rehabilitation work in Haiti and experience within a major London NHS trauma service, Anna joined the London Orthotic Consultancy (LOC) in 2017.

    Since 2017, Anna has specialised in scoliosis assessment and conservative management, with particular expertise in asymmetric rigid 3D scoliosis bracing. Following training in Schroth-based Chêneau-Gensingen bracing principles, she went on to found and develop the LOC Scoliosis Brace, helping establish one of the UK’s leading specialist scoliosis bracing services.

    Anna’s clinical practice focuses on the assessment, design, fitting, and ongoing management of custom scoliosis braces for both paediatric and adult patients with idiopathic and non-idiopathic scoliosis. Her approach centres on delivering evidence-based treatment that achieves effective correction while ensuring braces remain practical, wearable, and supportive for long-term compliance.

    She works collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and maintains strong professional links with leading NHS and private spinal consultants across London and the UK. Anna treats patients from across the UK and internationally and maintains a strong interest in clinical outcomes, brace design innovation, and advancing standards within conservative scoliosis management.

    Her work has been selected for presentation at the Scoliosis Research Society conference, an internationally leading forum in scoliosis research, alongside presentations at major global academic meetings, including Seattle, Rio de Janeiro, Lyon, Edinburgh, Melbourne, Liverpool, Boston, and Bangkok. Her research was also nominated for the EFORT Jacques Duparc Award in recognition of excellence in spinal research.

    Alongside her London clinics, Anna also leads LOC’s Belfast clinic and is recognised by WPA and BUPA health insurance providers. She is a member of the British Scoliosis Society and SOSORT.

    Specialist skills

    • Scoliosis
    • Head injuries
    • Cranial remoulding
    • Neck & spinal
    • Upper limb
    • Pectus deformities
    • Knee
    • Ankle/Foot
    • Agilik smart orthosis
    • Gait lab analysis
  • Saeed Hamid Chairman & Senior Orthotist (MBAPO)

    Saeed qualified as an orthotist in 1990. He was senior orthotist at Queen Mary’s Hospital, London where he was involved in all aspects of orthotic management of adults and children. He has undergone extensive training in the orthotic treatment of plagiocephaly using cranial remoulding orthoses.

    Saeed specialises in the orthotic management of plagiocephaly, diabetic and orthopaedic footwear and foot orthotics.

    Specialist skills

    • Cranial Remoulding
    • Custom Insoles
    • Bespoke Footwear
    • Craniosynostosis
  • Jack Choong Senior Orthotist (MBAPO)

    Jack Choong qualified from the University of Strathclyde in 2015 with an honours degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics. He has held senior roles at University College London Hospitals, including the Specialist Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome Centre, and at Great Ormond Street Hospital, managing complex spinal, neurological and musculoskeletal presentations.

    Now a Senior Orthotist at The London Orthotic Consultancy, Jack specialises in paediatric lower limb biomechanics and complex gait disorders. His clinical approach integrates advanced materials, carbon fibre systems and digital workflows, underpinned by precision gait analysis developed through mentorship with Elaine Owen. He focuses on translating detailed biomechanical assessment into meaningful functional improvements for children and families.

    Jack has presented at national and international conferences including British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists, British Scoliosis Society, Global Spine Congress and SpineWeek. He is part of the clinical leadership introducing Agilik within his service, contributing to structured assessment and patient selection pathways.

    Specialist skills

    • Neck & Spinal
    • Knee
    • Ankle/Foot
    • Custom Insoles
    • Bespoke Footwear
    • Agilik smart orthosis
    • Gait lab analysis
    • Post-SDR rehabilitation
    • Post-polio syndrome
    • Cerebral palsy
  • Joanne Drake Head of Plagiocephaly, Senior Orthotist (MBAPO)

    Joanne Drake is an HCPC registered and qualified Orthotist/Prosthetist based in Kingston, with a primary focus on the treatment of plagiocephaly, brachycephaly and related conditions. She is also a rare specialist who practises helmet therapy for craniosynostosis following endoscopic cranial surgery.

    Joanne qualified in 1998 with a BSc Hons in Prosthetics and Orthotics from Salford University. She began her career as a prosthetist at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, Stanmore and later joined the rehabilitation team at Queen Mary’s Hospital, Roehampton, where she served as a Senior Prosthetist.

    In 2004 she left the NHS to specialise solely in the treatment of plagiocephaly and has become one of the UK’s foremost clinicians in all areas of corrective helmet therapy. Her expertise lies in the management of plagiocephaly, including repositioning techniques. She was instrumental in developing some of the first clinical protocols for plagiocephaly in the UK and, more recently, in implementing the use of cranial remoulding therapy post-operatively for babies with craniosynostosis.

    Throughout her career, Joanne has demonstrated a commitment to individualised care, tailoring her treatments to suit each patient’s unique needs. Her professional approach, empathy, and deep understanding of the challenges patients and their families may face enable her to deliver exceptional results and a positive treatment experience.

    Specialist skills

    • Cranial remoulding
    • Craniosynostosis
  • Professor Saeed Forghany Senior Orthotist BSc, MSc, PhD

    Professor Saeed Forghany is one of the UK’s leading clinical gait analysts and specialist orthotists, with over 26 years of hands-on experience. He specialises in assessing and treating complex lower-limb conditions and gait abnormalities, using advanced 3D gait analysis and personalised orthotic solutions.

    Based at LOC Manchester within the University of Salford’s advanced gait laboratory, Saeed works closely with children and adults who need tailored support to improve their mobility, comfort and quality of life.

    He brings a unique combination of clinical expertise and research knowledge to his work. Saeed has published more than 40 peer-reviewed papers, many of which are widely cited in clinical biomechanics. His research has shaped our understanding of foot posture, walking patterns, and pressure distribution, helping to improve orthotic care worldwide. He has also contributed to global health work, including the development of international guidelines for prosthetic and orthotic services with the World Health Organisation.

    In addition to his clinical role, Saeed holds academic positions at both the University of Salford and Keele University. He is an NIHR Clinical Research Fellow in Digital Health Science, an Honorary Senior Lecturer and an Emeritus Professor at Isfahan University of Medical Sciences.

    His approach blends clinical expertise, cutting-edge technology and a deep commitment to improving mobility and quality of life through personalised orthotic care.

    Specialist skills

    • Cranial remoulding
    • Pectus deformities
    • Walk about orthosis
    • Knee
    • Ankle/Foot
    • Custom insoles
    • Bespoke footwear
    • Agilik smart orthosis
    • Gait lab analysis
    • Scoliosis
  • Erin Henderson Orthotist (MBAPO)

    Erin graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2022 with a First-Class Honours degree in prosthetics and orthotics. She began her career at Cambridge University Hospital and later took on a dual role at University College Hospital London.

    Her clinical experience includes early stroke rehabilitation, diabetic foot care and non-surgical scoliosis management. She is actively involved in adult and paediatric neuromuscular and orthopaedic multidisciplinary teams. Erin has completed Elaine Owen MBE’s course, Paediatric Gait & Orthotic Management: An Optimal Segment Kinematics and Alignment approach to Rehabilitation (OSKAR).

    Erin is committed to delivering evidence-based orthotic care tailored to each individual’s needs. She’s currently based at our Cambridge clinic.

    Erin is a member of the British Scoliosis Society.

    Specialist skills

    • Custom Insoles
    • Cranial Remoulding
    • Scoliosis
    • Neck & Spinal
    • Ankle/Foot
    • Pectus deformities
  • Catherine Hendy Orthotist (MBAPO)

    Catherine graduated from the University of Derby in 2025 with a First-Class Honours BSc (Hons) in Prosthetics and Orthotics through the Degree Apprenticeship programme.

    She began her career with LOC in 2017 as an orthotics technician. After five years of hands-on workshop experience, Catherine became part of the first cohort to enrol in the UK’s first degree apprenticeship programme for prosthetists and orthotists.

    In 2024, she was nominated for the BAPO Student of the Year award. Her final-year dissertation research involved collaboration with renowned physiotherapist Elaine Owen MBE, culminating in the presentation of their findings at the ISPO World Congress 2025 in Stockholm. Catherine has also completed Elaine Owen MBE’s course, Paediatric Gait & Orthotic Management: An Optimal Segment Kinematics and Alignment Approach to Rehabilitation (OSKAR).

    Catherine is now a qualified orthotist and a registered member of the British Association of Prosthetists and Orthotists (BAPO). She is also a member of the British Scoliosis Society.

    Specialist skills

    • Cranial Remoulding
    • Scoliosis
    • Neck & Spinal
    • Ankle/Foot
    • Custom Insoles
  • Connor Mumford Senior Orthotist (MBAPO)

    Connor is qualified with a BSc (Hons) in 2016 and prior to joining LOC, worked for Steeper primarily with the South Essex Partnership Trust. During this time, he headed up the Royal London Spinal Clinic and worked with the Royal London Orthopaedic multi-disciplinary team…

    Connor specialises in the management of positional plagiocephaly, craniosynostosis, paediatric gait analysis, scoliosis and lower limb musculoskeletal injuries.

    Connor is registered with WPA Health Insurance and heads up our Cambridge clinic.

    Specialist skills

    • Cranial remoulding
    • Neck & spinal
    • Pectus deformities
    • Scoliosis
    • Knee
    • Ankle/Foot
    • Custom insoles
    • Bespoke footwear
    • Agilik smart orthosis

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