Our Team

Steve Randell

Steve Randell (click image to enlarge)

Qualifications: BSc Podiatry.

Role: Podiatrist and Co-Owner.

Background

Born on a RAF base in Nicosia,Cyprus, Steve spent much of his childhood moving around. He first qualified as an Operating Theatre Technician at QE2 hospital in Welwyn Garden City. Steve was working in anaesthetics at Stoke Mandeville Hospital in Buckinghamshire when he met Karen who was nursing there.

Together they spent a couple of years travelling abroad before training as Podiatrists at the University of Brighton; both graduating in 1991.

They opened their first Private practice in Tunbridge Wells, Kent followed by two more in East Sussex and lived there for ten years before moving to Norfolk. They opened their first private practice at a medical centre in Norfolk during April 2004. Since then, they have relocated the original practice to their own premises at Coltishall and have opened five further practices.

Steve’s special interests lie in promoting Podiatry locally. He believes very strongly in a working team environment and feels that this is the best way to maintain and improve working skills.

Karen Randell

Karen Randell (click image to enlarge)

Qualifications: BSc Podiatry.

Role: Podiatrist and Co-Owner.

Background

Born in Mundesley, Karen lived in Norfolk until she finished her nursing training at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. She then moved to Aylesbury in Buckinghamshire where she worked as a nurse at Stoke Mandeville Hospital Burn’s Unit, which is where she met Steve.

Following a couple of years travelling and working abroad Karen and Steve trained as Podiatrists at the University Of Brighton; both graduating in 1991.

They then ran three private practices in East Sussex from 1992 – 2002. Their work included several NHS Podiatry contracts. They also found time to have two children before moving back to Norfolk in 2002 (for a quiet life!).

Karen and Steve opened their first private practice in Norfolk during April 2004 and since then five others. Karen has also enjoyed looking after the podiatry needs of the Norwich City Football Club First Team footballers since 2006.

Karen really loves her work as a Podiatrist and apart from general Podiatry, she takes a special interest in Fungal Infections and In growing Toenail surgery, the latter being the basis of her dissertation at University.

Gemma White

Gemma White (click image to enlarge)

Qualifications: BSc Hons Podiatry.

Role: Podiatrist.

Background

Gemma spent most of her childhood in Rugby and trained as a Podiatrist at the University of Northampton, graduating in 2006 with a BSc Hons Podiatry.

Initially she worked as a hospital/community based Podiatrist in Rugby and joined Randell’s Footcare in 2007, just after she moved to Norfolk.

Over the past five years Gemma has been very involved with the expansion of Randell’s Footcare and has gained valuable experience in most areas of Podiatry.

Away from work she is a keen Cub/Scout leader and has been since she was 18 years old. In the past she gained the Baden-Powell Trefoil Award for Girl Guides.

Perhaps her only flaw is that she is a Coventry football supporter, but her happy go lucky nature and caring attitude more than makes up for that!

Nina Simmons

Nina Simmons (click image to enlarge)

Qualifications: BSc Hons Podiatry.

Role: Podiatrist.

Background

Nina gained her degree in Podiatry at the University of Northampton after attending Dereham Sixth Form College.

Following graduation she spent two years as a full-time podiatrist living and working in Victoria, Australia where she gained valuable experience treating a broad range of foot health problems.

However, although Nina enjoyed the work in Australia she prefers to live in Norfolk and joined Randell’s Footcare as a full-time Podiatrist in July 2011.

Nina is a highly motivated podiatrist who always works tirelessly to deliver an excellent standard of patient care.

Christine Riches

Christine Riches (click image to enlarge)

Qualifications: Registered Podiatry Assistant, Registered General Nurse.

Role: Podiatry Assistant.

Background

Christine was born in Hayes, Middlesex. She left school at 16 and moved to Northampton where she trained as an enrolled nurse, qualifying in 1974.

She then worked at Northampton General Hospital before her career was interrupted by childbirth. She had two daughters, both of whom subsequently followed her into nursing, albeit in specialised branches.

Christine re-located to Sutton-on-Sea in Lincolnshire to be closer to her parents who had retired there. She worked in a nursing home as an enrolled nurse before taking the brave decision to enrol for tuition to convert her enrolled nurse qualification to become a registered general nurse. She qualified as a Level 1 registered general nurse in the adult branch in 1998.

Having achieved this qualification she again re-located, this time to Norfolk. Initially she worked at the Sandringham Hospital in King’s Lynn, but then moved to the BUPA (now Spire Hospital) in Norwich. From there she changed direction to become a Practice Nurse in a secure hospital.

The role of a Practice Nurse is very varied including management of minor injuries, illness and chronic illness. Christine developed a particular interest in one of the areas of healthcare provided for the patients, namely podiatry. This service was provided by Karen Randell of Randell’s Footcare. In conjunction with Randell’s Footcare, Christine decided to embark on a course of study to become a registered Podiatry Assistant .

Having achieved this qualification, she started working on a part-time basis in one of Randell’s clinics and has more recently extended her activities to include a domiciliary podiatry service.

Christine finds the practical hands-on feet requirement for this role very rewarding and is keen to further develop her new profession further.

Nicky Phillips

Nicky Phillips (click image to enlarge)

Qualifications: Registered Podiatry Assistant, Registered General Nurse.

Role: Podiatry Assistant.

Background

Nicky’s childhood was spent in Nottinghamshire and she qualified as a Registered General Nurse at the Queen’s Medical Centre in 1987. She spent the next two years nursing before joining Glaxo pharmaceuticals in their drug research department.

Following this, Nicky took some time out and travelled around the world for six months before getting married and having her two children.

She then became a deputy matron at a private nursing home for five years before being promoted to Matron whilst bringing up her children and supporting her husband in his demanding work.

Nicky and her family moved to Norfolk after spending holidays here and she continues her nursing part-time, but has also found time to join Randell’s Footcare to train as a Podiatry Assistant passing with distinctions in 2010. She shows special interest in Fungal nail infections and In-growing toenails.

Matthew Allen

Matthew Allen (click image to enlarge)

Role: Practice Manager.

Background

Matthew has always lived locally. He attended North Walsham High School followed by Paston College where he studied Art and Design.

He then took computer studies at an external centre and worked for a structural flooring company which included starting as administrator, becoming a detail coordinator, then to operations coordinator. During his time there, Matt covered for others as a receptionist, transport coordinator and lab technician. He also gained experience as a car parts retailer, general administration and worked on the new catalogues which included photography and drawings.

Matt joined Randell’s Footcare as their Practice Manager in January 2010 and now enjoys meeting a wide range of people, organising clinics, maintaining stocks and being the very important front man for Randell’s Footcare.