About us

The College of Osteopaths is dedicated to promoting the theory, practice, and education of osteopathy. Through innovative training, research, and a commitment to inclusivity, we provide flexible pathways into the osteopathic profession, empowering individuals of all ages and backgrounds to reach their full potential.

Who we are

Our Vision is to inspire, train and enable future generations of osteopaths for the benefit of communities and growth of the profession.

Our reputation for celebrating and supporting the individual whatever their experience or background is at the heart of our ethos.

The College of Osteopaths is a registered charity committed to widening access to osteopathic practice so that talented individuals of all ages can fulfil their potential, and our unique 100% flexible pathways into the profession reflects the long history of innovation and inclusiveness on which the college has built its reputation.

Our Inclusivity Statement: At the College of Osteopaths, we understand that diversity fosters creativity and innovation. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where all belong. We respect and value everyone in our college community and have created a supportive environment where everyone is helped to reach their full potential. We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in the osteopathic profession.

Governance

The College of Osteopaths is governed by the Board of Governors whose responsibility is to approve the mission, strategy and vision that meets the college’s objectives as a Higher Education Institution. The college’s Principal reports to the Board of Governors with the Quality Review Board (QRB) being the ultimate authority of the college.

The QRB is responsible for promoting, regulating and directing the work of the college. It oversees the college’s academic management and all aspects of quality and standards associated with the college.

Our Board of Governors

Martin Parry
Martin Parry
Chair of Governors
Pascale Fanning-Tichborne
Pascale Fanning-Tichborne
Trustee
Chloe Henegan
Chloe Henegan
Trustee
Michael Bennett
Michael Bennett
Trustee
Roger Rogers
Roger Rogers
Trustee
Martin Parry

Martin Parry Chair of Governors

Martin has a PhD obtained at University of London/Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and a Fellowship of the Institute of Biomedical Science (FIBMS). His 10 years working in the NHS was followed by 30 years in teaching in Further and Higher Education both in the UK and overseas; his last post was Head of Department of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Westminster. Health-related, overseas work included two years teaching in Hong Kong and course development and external examination in Brunei, The Gambia, Rwanda and Ghana.

 

Key areas of expertise: Liaison with NHS employers and professional bodies, chairing of U/G and P/G course validations, BSc and MSc curriculum development and the teaching, support and project supervision of part-time higher education students.

Pascale Fanning-Tichborne

Pascale Fanning-Tichborne Trustee

Pascale joined as a Governor in 2021. She is currently a Strategic Research Facilitator at University College London (UCL) as her paid job, in the Life and Medical Sciences faculties, supporting researchers and clinician scientists with research funding applications.

She has amassed a wealth of professional services experience in Higher Education across three institutions (including two Russell Group universities) since 2005. At UCL she is on the Academic Board, the body that advises the UCL Council on all academic matters and questions affecting the educational policy of UCL and also co-leads a Community of Practice for research support staff across the college. In a previous role at the University of Sussex, she was responsible for postgraduate research degrees management and administration, sitting on the research degrees committees and exam boards for Professional Doctoral degrees in Education and Social Work and PhD Programmes.

 

Key areas of experience: Degree management and administration, higher education policy and strategy, fundraising and grant funding, student wellbeing and equality, diversity and inclusion.

Chloe Henegan

Chloe Henegan Trustee

Chloe is a practising Osteopath with 15 years’ experience, working initially as an Associate in local clinics before establishing her own therapeutic practice in Hertfordshire. 

Before qualifying as an Osteopath in 2008, she worked in the pharmaceutical industry in the area of Chronic Pain Management. She took the Mixed Mode (part time) training at the BSO (UCO) in order to continue working and start a family and has continued to enjoy part time post graduate courses including the Paediatric Training at the OCC and the Biodynamic Craniosacral Therapy course at CTET. Chloe has a specialist interest in working with Children and families and has held a Safeguarding role within a children’s organisation. Alongside Osteopathy, over the past 10 years Chloe has held several volunteer roles, particularly in community-based projects for social change

 

Key areas of experience: Osteopathy, osteopathic practice.

Michael Bennett

Michael Bennett Trustee

Michael qualified as an accountant in 1991 and was made a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in 1996. Starting his own business in 1997, his client base has grown to over 1,500. Together with his team he assists individuals, sole traders, partnerships and companies with strategic business, accountancy and taxation advice.

Registered with the ACCA for the provision of accountancy and audit services Michael primarily specialises in helping medical practitioners, such as osteopaths, podiatrists, chiropractors and physiotherapists, but also deals with a diverse range of sectors, including IT & business consultants, photographers, landlords and property managers, journalists, and those involved in music, film and TV.

Michael also lectures at numerous colleges to final year students, helping to prepare them for the real world and has been a guest speaker at annual conferences of osteopaths, chiropractors and podiatrists.

 

Key areas of experience: Strategic business advice, accountancy and taxation. 

Roger Rogers

Roger Rogers Trustee

Roger’s career in business has spanned over 40 years. He started as a trainee with Vidal Sassoon in 1964 and became a director of the European company in the 1970s. With two other colleagues he successfully completed the first management buyouts in the U.K. of the European salons and schools and then in 1983 the North American group. Roger continues to contribute as a Trustee and Director to the hairdressing profession. His experience in running business and training schools are key skills he brings to the College of Osteopaths.

 

Key areas of expertise: National and International business practices.

Our Senior Leadership Team

Pat Hamilton
Pat Hamilton
Principal
Angela Carryer
Angela Carryer
Programme Leader
Evelyn Gold
Evelyn Gold
Bursar
Pat Hamilton

Pat Hamilton Principal

Pat gained her wide educational experience from 25 years in mainstream education, before deciding to diversify and become an osteopath. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in education, and a Masters degree in science education, before achieving her degree in osteopathy through part-time study as an adult learner. She believes that the challenge of traversing this pathway to a second career has stood her in good stead in her present job  as it provides her with the impetus to ensure that The College of Osteopaths remains focussed and meets the needs of its niche group of adult learners.

Angela Carryer

Angela Carryer Programme Leader

Angela has worked in higher education for the past 30 years and joined The College of Osteopaths in 2015. She was previously a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Health Sciences at Staffordshire University with responsibility for a number of academic programmes. As Programme Leader at The College of Osteopaths she manages the college’s academic activities. She has an MSc in Health Education and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Higher and Professional Education. She has extensive experience of external examining at several Universities and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Evelyn Gold

Evelyn Gold Bursar

Evelyn joined the College of Osteopaths in 2001. Highly proficient in various financial management systems, her broad financial experience has provided her with a sound background for her position as Bursar at the college. As Bursar her role is to ensure that effective financial management information is provided to colleagues and Board members in order to inform and enable strategic decision making. She manages the budget, student fees, payroll and other resources  including human resources at the college.

Our history

We are proud of our history and the active role it has played in shaping the development of the osteopathic profession and in training registered osteopaths to join it.

1948

Established as an educational trust

1

1961

A recognised two-year Diploma course was introduced, with the professional teaching body established as The College of Osteopaths.

2

1978

The college’s Dean Joseph Goodman established the Diploma in Osteopathy qualification.

3

1988

Report on osteopathic education prepared by the British Accreditation Council.

4

1989 -1991

College President, Jane Langer, helped develop the Osteopaths Act and the formation of the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).

5

1997

The Diploma in Osteopathy was validated by Middlesex University as a five-year BSc(Hons) programme.

6

2001

Principal, Caroline Stone, guided the course to Recognised Qualification (RQ) status.

7

2002-2003

The college provided RQ training for those unable to join the GOsC’s register enabling graduates awarded the Certificate in Osteopathic Competence to register.

8

2005

Principal, Mark Lawrence, pioneered a programme in Staffordshire – the only one of its kind outside of the Southern UK.

9

2005 -2008

The BSc (Hons) programme gained RQ status via Keele University validation

10

2010-2011

Praised by peer reviewers, our innovative flexible MOst programme, validated by Middlesex University, was introduced in London and Staffordshire.

11

2015

Students enrolled onto the MOst/BOst programme validated by Staffordshire University.

12

2019

The college introduced a new, shorter BOst course in response to student feedback and developed this to be validated by the University of Derby.

13

2020

The College of Osteopaths’ graduates account for nearly 10% of qualified Osteopaths in the UK.

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© The College of Osteopaths 2025 Registered Charity no. 123456. Company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales Registered Company no. 123456. Registered office 13 Furzehill Road, Borehamwood, London