Our Team
Our experienced team has worked in the niche field of roleplay simulation, predominantly in the Medical and Healthcare fields, for the majority of their professional careers. The same core team of Jessica, Iain, Daphne and Laura have now worked together for over a decade- and, along with the wider team, they remain committed to working at the national level in Simulation and are involved in national benchmarking, in setting standards of best practice in simulation and have a very hands-on approach to their work.
In addition to the core client delivery team, the Peel Roleplay family include several hundred experienced, highly trained role play actors and facilitators. Each personally known to us and many who have now been working for Peel Roleplay for more than 13 years. Our actors are dedicated professionals. They care passionately about the work they do for our clients and, like us, take great pride in seeing students, candidates and professionals develop their communication skills as a direct result of the supportive environments, professional roleplay delivery and tailored feedback they provide.
All of our actors are given the best training in this specialist discipline, across a huge variety of roleplay scenarios, to ensure the most consistent and realistic simulation.
Jessica Wright
Managing Director
Jessica joined the Senior Management Team at Peel in 2009 and has been integral to the development and growth of Peel Roleplay ever since. This has included successfully recruiting, training and managing a growing cohort of hundreds of role play actors, to facilitate a growing client base across a variety of different sectors.
With a specific passion for the work Peel do for partners across Healthcare, Jessica works at the national level when it comes to Simulated Patient programmes for Peel’s Medical School partners throughout the UK. For 13 years, Jessica worked closely with Peel’s partners to evolve, improve and add increasing value to the company’s full service provision clients. She regularly attends conferences with clinical and communication skills practitioners, keeping up to date on the latest methods of facilitation and feedback and national standards of best practice.
In her personal life, Jessica is a busy mum of three children, enjoys spending time in the Yorkshire countryside and can usually be found in her garden surrounded by her dog, cats and chickens!
Jessica joined the Senior Management Team at Peel in 2009 and has been integral to the development and growth of Peel Roleplay ever since. This has included successfully recruiting, training and managing a growing cohort of hundreds of role play actors, to facilitate a growing client base across a variety of different sectors.
With a specific passion for the work Peel do for partners across Healthcare, Jessica works at the national level when it comes to Simulated Patient programmes for Peel’s Medical School partners throughout the UK. For 13 years, Jessica worked closely with Peel’s partners to evolve, improve and add increasing value to the company’s full service provision clients. She regularly attends conferences with clinical and communication skills practitioners, keeping up to date on the latest methods of facilitation and feedback and national standards of best practice.
In her personal life, Jessica is a busy mum of three children, enjoys spending time in the Yorkshire countryside and can usually be found in her garden surrounded by her dog, cats and chickens!
Iain Wilkinson
Account & Programme Manager
Iain has been a Senior Manager at Peel since 2010, whilst retaining responsibility for the Yorkshire and Humber Simulation Patient resource as a member of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Clinical Skills Executive, where he advises on regional policy and quality audits related to clinical skills and simulation.
Iain is also co-chair of the Simulated Patient Special Interest Group at the Association of Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH), a role he has held since 2013. Iain is a specialist in managing roleplay and simulation programmes for Higher Education Establishments. He has run experiential training and education projects for more than 16 years and, alongside the wider team, has built up cohorts of skilled role players and Simulated Patients across the country.
Under his leadership, the Peel Roleplay simulated role actor resource has grown to be the most respected in the country, with innovative programmes being developed in all areas of healthcare across the UK. Iain is currently completing ongoing work on development standards of best practice and assessing role player quality in a quantifiable way.
In his spare time, Iain continues his passion for Steam Engines, as a long-time volunteer of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway.
Iain has been a Senior Manager at Peel since 2010, whilst retaining responsibility for the Yorkshire and Humber Simulation Patient resource as a member of the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Clinical Skills Executive, where he advises on regional policy and quality audits related to clinical skills and simulation.
Iain is also co-chair of the Simulated Patient Special Interest Group at the Association of Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH), a role he has held since 2013. Iain is a specialist in managing roleplay and simulation programmes for Higher Education Establishments. He has run experiential training and education projects for more than 16 years and, alongside the wider team, has built up cohorts of skilled role players and Simulated Patients across the country.
Under his leadership, the Peel Roleplay simulated role actor resource has grown to be the most respected in the country, with innovative programmes being developed in all areas of healthcare across the UK. Iain is currently completing ongoing work on development standards of best practice and assessing role player quality in a quantifiable way.
In his spare time, Iain continues his passion for Steam Engines, as a long-time volunteer of the Ffestiniog and Welsh Highland Railway.
Laura Thompson
Bookings Manager
Laura is an experienced member of the Peel Roleplay team, having joined the company in 2016. Laura oversees our team of booking coordinators and finance administrators and leads on the recruitment and development of our actor cohort.
Laura and her team place role play actors across our full range of services, including large high-stakes assessments which often require up to 70 actors at a single venue in any one day. Laura regularly facilitates large-scale events for our partners and has been instrumental in the establishment of effective booking and compliance procedures.
In her spare time, Laura enjoys walking on the moors near her home in West Yorkshire with her 10yr old Golden Retriever ‘Read’.
Laura is an experienced member of the Peel Roleplay team, having joined the company in 2016. Laura oversees our team of booking coordinators and finance administrators and leads on the recruitment and development of our actor cohort.
Laura and her team place role play actors across our full range of services, including large high-stakes assessments which often require up to 70 actors at a single venue in any one day. Laura regularly facilitates large-scale events for our partners and has been instrumental in the establishment of effective booking and compliance procedures.
In her spare time, Laura enjoys walking on the moors near her home in West Yorkshire with her 10yr old Golden Retriever ‘Read’.
Daphne Franks
Training and Development
Daphne has worked for Peel Roleplay since 2010 but has worked as a role play actor and facilitator for much longer, coming to Peel with decades of experience. Up until recently, Daphne also taught IDEALS at the Leeds Institute of Medical Education for over 10 years.
As well as leading all of our role actor recruitment and training events, Daphne also works closely with our partners to facilitate tutor training in communication skills and feedback-giving, regularly assists with the on-site coordination of large-scale assessments, and supports our partners with scenario reviewing and development.
When she’s not working for Peel Roleplay, Daphne is busy campaigning, having recently set up ‘Predatory Marriage UK’ which aims to change current UK laws and educate registrars to spot the signs of mental capacity to marry. To date, Daphne has delivered countless talks and made several appearances on national TV and radio, and is really making an impact.
Daphne has worked for Peel Roleplay since 2010 but has worked as a role play actor and facilitator for much longer, coming to Peel with decades of experience. Up until recently, Daphne also taught IDEALS at the Leeds Institute of Medical Education for over 10 years.
As well as leading all of our role actor recruitment and training events, Daphne also works closely with our partners to facilitate tutor training in communication skills and feedback-giving, regularly assists with the on-site coordination of large-scale assessments, and supports our partners with scenario reviewing and development.
When she’s not working for Peel Roleplay, Daphne is busy campaigning, having recently set up ‘Predatory Marriage UK’ which aims to change current UK laws and educate registrars to spot the signs of mental capacity to marry. To date, Daphne has delivered countless talks and made several appearances on national TV and radio, and is really making an impact.
Helen Hindle
Bookings Coordinator & Finance Administrator
In addition to working alongside Laura to administer bookings and finance activities, Helen is continually monitoring Peel’s effectiveness in demonstrating fairness and transparency across all company activities and reviewing and making ongoing recommendations on our Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity policies.
Helen lives locally to Peel HQ and has two daughters – she enjoys spending time exploring the Yorkshire countryside on her doorstep.
In addition to working alongside Laura to administer bookings and finance activities, Helen is continually monitoring Peel’s effectiveness in demonstrating fairness and transparency across all company activities and reviewing and making ongoing recommendations on our Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity policies.
Helen lives locally to Peel HQ and has two daughters – she enjoys spending time exploring the Yorkshire countryside on her doorstep.
Richard Adam
Strategy & Financial Planning
Richard is a qualified accountant and experienced Director with a background in manufacturing and digital businesses, including shared immersive spaces for education and simulated training environments.
Richard is supporting Jessica and the team with financial and strategic enterprise planning, providing a robust framework and development pathway to ensure the highest standards of service delivery and client satisfaction now and in the future.
Richard is a qualified accountant and experienced Director with a background in manufacturing and digital businesses, including shared immersive spaces for education and simulated training environments.
Richard is supporting Jessica and the team with financial and strategic enterprise planning, providing a robust framework and development pathway to ensure the highest standards of service delivery and client satisfaction now and in the future.
Richard Dawson
Business Development & Strategic Partnerships
Richard joined the business relatively recently and is already developing new business opportunities and partnerships that help drive exposure to the important work we do at Peel Roleplay.
Richard graduated in 2002 with a BSc in Management Science from Manchester Business School (formerly UMIST) and whilst in full-time employment completed an MSC in Human Resource Management (and CIPD) in 2010 at The University of Salford. Since graduating, Richard has worked in a variety of Business Development, Account Management, Relationship Management and Strategic Partnerships (Affinity) roles.
In his spare time, Richard loves spending time with his daughter, Maya, is an avid golfer, supporter of Hull City AFC and follower of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Richard joined the business relatively recently and is already developing new business opportunities and partnerships that help drive exposure to the important work we do at Peel Roleplay.
Richard graduated in 2002 with a BSc in Management Science from Manchester Business School (formerly UMIST) and whilst in full-time employment completed an MSC in Human Resource Management (and CIPD) in 2010 at The University of Salford. Since graduating, Richard has worked in a variety of Business Development, Account Management, Relationship Management and Strategic Partnerships (Affinity) roles.
In his spare time, Richard loves spending time with his daughter, Maya, is an avid golfer, supporter of Hull City AFC and follower of Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
Beth Forbes-McDade
Bookings & Recruitment Coordinator
Beth joined the company in 2024, in response to the growing needs of our bookings team. After graduating from Leeds Trinity University with a diploma of higher education in Philosophy & Ethics, Beth worked as a clinical coder within the NHS for a number of years before moving into a recruitment role, firstly for a homecare company and then within the education sector recruiting for a trust.
Beth joined the company in 2024, in response to the growing needs of our bookings team. After graduating from Leeds Trinity University with a diploma of higher education in Philosophy & Ethics, Beth worked as a clinical coder within the NHS for a number of years before moving into a recruitment role, firstly for a homecare company and then within the education sector recruiting for a trust.
Catherine Traveller
Senior Facilitator & Assessment Coordinator
Cat is an experienced Facilitator and Role Play Actor, having been involved in this work since 2007. For Peel, Cat has worked extensively as a role player, facilitator and coordinator at all of our client venues. Cat has experience role playing, facilitating and coordinating in large scale exams and training sessions in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry (OSCE, CSA and SECO), Physician Associates, nursing, psychiatry (CASC and FACS), social work, emergency medicine, paediatrics, Speech & language, and also in exams for the Royal College of Surgeons National recruitment.
Cat is an experienced Facilitator and Role Play Actor, having been involved in this work since 2007. For Peel, Cat has worked extensively as a role player, facilitator and coordinator at all of our client venues. Cat has experience role playing, facilitating and coordinating in large scale exams and training sessions in medicine, pharmacy, dentistry (OSCE, CSA and SECO), Physician Associates, nursing, psychiatry (CASC and FACS), social work, emergency medicine, paediatrics, Speech & language, and also in exams for the Royal College of Surgeons National recruitment.
Maria Watton-Graham
Senior Facilitator & Assessment Coordinator
An experienced role player actor, Maria assists clinical staff in the co-ordination and delivery of sessions as well as managing and monitoring role player delivery (quality control) throughout our service.
Maria studied at Central School of Speech and Drama at The University of Ulster and over the last 5 years has worked as a simulation actor for Leeds Institute of Medical Education and Hendrix Training, in the sectors of health care, Police and social care.
For Peel Roleplay, Maria advanced to the role of Roleplay Coordinator/Facilitator, travelling throughout the UK to various medical training facilities (Canterbury, Liverpool, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Plymouth, Truro and Exeter) ensuring the smooth running of assessments and maintaining the Peel Roleplay standards of quality assurance.
An experienced role player actor, Maria assists clinical staff in the co-ordination and delivery of sessions as well as managing and monitoring role player delivery (quality control) throughout our service.
Maria studied at Central School of Speech and Drama at The University of Ulster and over the last 5 years has worked as a simulation actor for Leeds Institute of Medical Education and Hendrix Training, in the sectors of health care, Police and social care.
For Peel Roleplay, Maria advanced to the role of Roleplay Coordinator/Facilitator, travelling throughout the UK to various medical training facilities (Canterbury, Liverpool, Leeds, North Yorkshire, Plymouth, Truro and Exeter) ensuring the smooth running of assessments and maintaining the Peel Roleplay standards of quality assurance.
Jason Collins
Senior Facilitator & Assessment Coordinator
With over 10 years experience as a role play actor, Jason is now one of our Senior Facilitators and has coordinated many large-scale assessments for Peel Roleplay clients across the UK.
Jason particularly enjoys more challenging scenarios such as acute mental health, cancer care, receiving bad news, psychology supervisory roles, and challenging stereotypes in gender and sexuality.
Jason also has a HNC degree in Business Commerce and Law, and studied for 12 months at the Actor’s Studio London before going on to work for various film and TV agents working as an actor and child chaperone on film sets.
With over 10 years experience as a role play actor, Jason is now one of our Senior Facilitators and has coordinated many large-scale assessments for Peel Roleplay clients across the UK.
Jason particularly enjoys more challenging scenarios such as acute mental health, cancer care, receiving bad news, psychology supervisory roles, and challenging stereotypes in gender and sexuality.
Jason also has a HNC degree in Business Commerce and Law, and studied for 12 months at the Actor’s Studio London before going on to work for various film and TV agents working as an actor and child chaperone on film sets.
Aisling Leyne
Senior Facilitator & Assessment Coordinator
Aisling is an experienced simulated patient, regularly working on assessments and cross-year teaching sessions in Liverpool. She also supports Daphne with the facilitation of role play actor and tutor training sessions, and more recently a bespoke communication skills training day for nurses.
Aisling is from Dublin where she trained as an actor at The Lír Academy. She later trained in physical theatre at Hope Street’s Actor’s Centre, Liverpool, specialising in puppetry. She now works as a puppeteer for stage, screen and street theatre events and as a voice actor from her home studio. Aisling has also worked for sister company Peel X as an augmented reality actor, voice actor and narrator.
Aisling is an experienced simulated patient, regularly working on assessments and cross-year teaching sessions in Liverpool. She also supports Daphne with the facilitation of role play actor and tutor training sessions, and more recently a bespoke communication skills training day for nurses.
Aisling is from Dublin where she trained as an actor at The Lír Academy. She later trained in physical theatre at Hope Street’s Actor’s Centre, Liverpool, specialising in puppetry. She now works as a puppeteer for stage, screen and street theatre events and as a voice actor from her home studio. Aisling has also worked for sister company Peel X as an augmented reality actor, voice actor and narrator.
Our Team of Professional Roleplay Actors
Our nationwide cohort of trained, expert role play actors includes hundreds of dedicated people who are all passionate about simulation as a powerful tool for developing effective communication skills in a safe, supportive environment.
"Just wanted to say thank you for the training day today. It was lovely to meet you virtually and hear all your advice on working on OSCEs and with medical students. Summed up in such a useful way. It was also fantastic to hear your enthusiasm and passion for training and examining through role play and simulation. I strongly share this enthusiasm and it was very good to hear this. Hope to be able to meet you face to face at some point in the future."
Role Play Actor
"Peel’s services are provided with professionalism and efficiency and I have enjoyed working for Peel very much. Many thanks to you and all your great team for everything."
Role Play Actor
"I really value being part of the Peel team, you are a pleasure to work for. Between us, we reach and support the development of thousands of young medics and it's heartening to know that we all care about the work we do."
Role Play Actor
"I am very aware of how you have valued and respected us as simulated patients over the years, and looked after not only our welfare and our rates of pay, but that you have also had interest in our careers and us as people."
Role Play Actor
"I would like to express my appreciation for the excellent training [Peel Roleplay] held yesterday. I was left feeling inspired to be working with people so invested and energised by the potential impact great communication skills can have on real patients as well as the students themselves. It feels like a real privilege to be part of what Peel does."
Role Play Actor