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 is responsible for the strategic, commercial side to Peel Roleplay. She 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 and enjoys spending time in the Yorkshire countryside and can usually be found in her garden surrounded by her dog, cats and chickens!
Jessica is responsible for the strategic, commercial side to Peel Roleplay. She 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 and 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 takes on a very operational role at Peel Roleplay and has worked in the field of actor simulation for his entire professional career. He has now been a Senior Manager at Peel since 2010 whilst retaining responsibility for the Yorkshire and the Humber Simulation Patient resource as a member of the Yorkshire and the 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 undertaken 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 – he now manages the Simulated Patient provision for; University of Liverpool Medical School, Kent & Medway Medical School, University of Plymouth Medical School, University of Exeter Medical School, Liverpool John Moores School of Pharmacy to name just a few.
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 takes on a very operational role at Peel Roleplay and has worked in the field of actor simulation for his entire professional career. He has now been a Senior Manager at Peel since 2010 whilst retaining responsibility for the Yorkshire and the Humber Simulation Patient resource as a member of the Yorkshire and the 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 undertaken 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 – he now manages the Simulated Patient provision for; University of Liverpool Medical School, Kent & Medway Medical School, University of Plymouth Medical School, University of Exeter Medical School, Liverpool John Moores School of Pharmacy to name just a few.
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
Recruitment and Bookings Manager
Laura joined the Company in 2015 and is an experienced member of the Peel Roleplay team. Laura manages the booking of highly trained and skilled role players and simulated patients for our clients, overseeing our team of booking coordinators and finance administrators. Laura also leads on the development of our actor cohort, managing new enquiries and coordinating training events.
Laura and her team place actors across our full range of services, including large high-stakes assessments where there are often hundreds of roleplay actors working across a number of venues for consecutive days. Laura regularly facilitates large-scale events for our partners and has been instrumental in the establishment of effective booking and compliance procedures.
Laura develops and maintains excellent relationships, through clear communication, with all of Peel Roleplay’s clients and with the role players in the Peel Roleplay cohort.
Laura enjoys walking on the moors with her Golden Retriever ‘Read’, near her home in West Yorkshire and, more unusually, enjoys a spot of Taxidermy!
Laura joined the Company in 2015 and is an experienced member of the Peel Roleplay team. Laura manages the booking of highly trained and skilled role players and simulated patients for our clients, overseeing our team of booking coordinators and finance administrators. Laura also leads on the development of our actor cohort, managing new enquiries and coordinating training events.
Laura and her team place actors across our full range of services, including large high-stakes assessments where there are often hundreds of roleplay actors working across a number of venues for consecutive days. Laura regularly facilitates large-scale events for our partners and has been instrumental in the establishment of effective booking and compliance procedures.
Laura develops and maintains excellent relationships, through clear communication, with all of Peel Roleplay’s clients and with the role players in the Peel Roleplay cohort.
Laura enjoys walking on the moors with her Golden Retriever ‘Read’, near her home in West Yorkshire and, more unusually, enjoys a spot of Taxidermy!
Daphne Franks
Training and Development
Daphne has worked for Peel Roleplay since 2010 but has worked as a sim actor and facilitator for much longer, coming to Peel with a wealth of experience. Alongside her role for Peel, Daphne also teaches IDEALS at the Leeds Institute of Medical Education, a position she has held since 2011.
For Peel, Daphne leads all of our role actor recruitment and training events – both online and face to face sessions. She also works closely with our partners, facilitating tutor training in giving feedback and communication. Daphne is a senior role actor and as such is regularly found on site at large-scale assessment events ably coordinating and facilitating, managing the quality control process and supporting clients and actors alike. Daphne has worked as a role play actors for sessions including; GP recruitment, Cancer Network, GP recruitment, Health Education England, pharmacy, nursing, physiology, dentistry PLAB exams and hundreds of Medical School assessments in places throughout the UK and internationally.
Daphne is also a member of the Patient Carer Community for the University of Leeds Medical School. Daphne works closely with our partners on scenario development, advising and reviewing as well as writing as per the specific requirements of our clients.
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 sim actor and facilitator for much longer, coming to Peel with a wealth of experience. Alongside her role for Peel, Daphne also teaches IDEALS at the Leeds Institute of Medical Education, a position she has held since 2011.
For Peel, Daphne leads all of our role actor recruitment and training events – both online and face to face sessions. She also works closely with our partners, facilitating tutor training in giving feedback and communication. Daphne is a senior role actor and as such is regularly found on site at large-scale assessment events ably coordinating and facilitating, managing the quality control process and supporting clients and actors alike. Daphne has worked as a role play actors for sessions including; GP recruitment, Cancer Network, GP recruitment, Health Education England, pharmacy, nursing, physiology, dentistry PLAB exams and hundreds of Medical School assessments in places throughout the UK and internationally.
Daphne is also a member of the Patient Carer Community for the University of Leeds Medical School. Daphne works closely with our partners on scenario development, advising and reviewing as well as writing as per the specific requirements of our clients.
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
Helen joined the Company only recently in response to the need to increase our administrative team. Helen joins the company with a wealth of experience working in in compliance and administration following a 13 year long career in HR. Helen is continually monitoring Peel’s effectiveness in demonstrating fairness and transparency across all company activities as well as working alongside Laura to administer roleplay actor bookings and finance activities. Since starting at Peel, Helen has been building strong relationships with our highly experienced cohort of actors. She communicates clearly and effectively, maintaining role actors information in line with compliance requirements. Helen will be 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.
Helen joined the Company only recently in response to the need to increase our administrative team. Helen joins the company with a wealth of experience working in in compliance and administration following a 13 year long career in HR. Helen is continually monitoring Peel’s effectiveness in demonstrating fairness and transparency across all company activities as well as working alongside Laura to administer roleplay actor bookings and finance activities. Since starting at Peel, Helen has been building strong relationships with our highly experienced cohort of actors. She communicates clearly and effectively, maintaining role actors information in line with compliance requirements. Helen will be 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.
Ellen Meads
Client and Business Developent Services
Ellen joined the company in 2022 and works alongside Jessica on Peel Roleplay’s business development strategy. Prior to joining Peel, Ellen worked in Primary, Secondary and Special schools throughout Sweden and then as a peripatetic music teacher in the UK. Ellen brings her passion for ensuring accessibility and scope for differentiation within teaching and learning to the company. In her personal life, Ellen is a professional cellist and is currently learning sign language.
Ellen joined the company in 2022 and works alongside Jessica on Peel Roleplay’s business development strategy. Prior to joining Peel, Ellen worked in Primary, Secondary and Special schools throughout Sweden and then as a peripatetic music teacher in the UK. Ellen brings her passion for ensuring accessibility and scope for differentiation within teaching and learning to the company. In her personal life, Ellen is a professional cellist and is currently learning sign language.
Cat Traveller
Senior Facilitator & Assessment Coordinator
Cat has experience as a Facilitator and Simulated Patient 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 has experience as a Facilitator and Simulated Patient 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
Maria, one of our Senior Facilitators, oversees our role play delivery of large scale events. An experienced role players, 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 Maria 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.
Maria, one of our Senior Facilitators, oversees our role play delivery of large scale events. An experienced role players, 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 Maria 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
Jason Collins 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. Jason started to work within the role play simulation, specifically medical roleplay in 2013 and has built up experience rapidly, discovering that he particularly enjoyed the mental health and more challenging scenarios such as cancer care – receiving bad news, psychology supervisory roles, schizophrenia, manic depression, low mood suicidal thoughts and challenging stereotypes in gender and sexuality. Over the past 7 years, Jason has facilitated communication skills and co-ordinated large scale assessment sessions for Peel and is now one of our Senior Facilitators.
Jason Collins 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. Jason started to work within the role play simulation, specifically medical roleplay in 2013 and has built up experience rapidly, discovering that he particularly enjoyed the mental health and more challenging scenarios such as cancer care – receiving bad news, psychology supervisory roles, schizophrenia, manic depression, low mood suicidal thoughts and challenging stereotypes in gender and sexuality. Over the past 7 years, Jason has facilitated communication skills and co-ordinated large scale assessment sessions for Peel and is now one of our Senior Facilitators.
Aisling Leyne
Senior Facilitator & Assessment Coordinator
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. At Hope Street she was privileged to learn Forum Theatre from Adrian Jackson of Cardboard Citizens.
Aisling started working for Peel Roleplay in 2016 as a simulated patient for exams, a role-play actor for cross-year teaching sessions and as a live simulation actor. She has co-facilitated Simulated Patient and Tutor training sessions alongside Daphne Franks, and more recently a bespoke communication skills training day for nurses.
Aisling has also worked for sister company Peel X as an augmented reality actor, voice actor and narrator.
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. At Hope Street she was privileged to learn Forum Theatre from Adrian Jackson of Cardboard Citizens.
Aisling started working for Peel Roleplay in 2016 as a simulated patient for exams, a role-play actor for cross-year teaching sessions and as a live simulation actor. She has co-facilitated Simulated Patient and Tutor training sessions alongside Daphne Franks, and more recently a bespoke communication skills training day for nurses.
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 highly 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."
- Simulated Patient
"Peel’s services are provided with a professional organisation and efficiency and I have enjoyed working for Peel very much. Many thanks to you and all your great team for everything."
- Simulated Patient
"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."
- Simulated Patient