Ian Walker

My first experience of epilepsy came when, in 1995, my eldest son was diagnosed following a series of prolonged/multiple seizure events. My interest grew further when, in 1999, my daughter suffered some post-stroke seizures and, in 2005, when she was diagnosed with epilepsy. More recently, in 2009, my 76 year old father was diagnosed with epilepsy following a stroke.

I first came across Epilepsy Action in 1995 when, at that time, what we needed most was information. Epilepsy Action came to the rescue. I became involved in 2001, at a sponsored walk organised by a local branch in North Wales, and since 2002 have been Chairman of that Branch. I have seen a lot of changes since 2002, and have played a small part in helping some of them come to fruition through awareness raising and campaigning with politicians for better services in Wales. I am a member of the Epilepsy Action's Advisory Panel for Wales.

By profession I am an IT consultant, specialising in business systems, data security, forensic analysis of data and data recovery. I have worked in the transport and construction industries and have been in the IT profession for 30 years. Today I run my own IT consultancy business serving small business and not-for-profit organisations. I am a member of the Council of Members of the Institution of Analysts and Programmers, Britain's leading professional body for data/business analysts and computer software engineers, of which I am a Fellow.

I would hope that my mix of experience in running a business and a branch of Epilepsy Action, added to my familial interests in epilepsy, would be useful in helping drive Epilepsy Action forwards towards achieving so much more for people who have epilepsy, their families and carers.