Kerry Payne has worked for the IFPA since its inception, having previously worked for the International Society of Professional Aromatherapists (ISPA), one of the IFPA’s predecessor organisations. With almost 30 years’ experience of working with these two major organisations she has a wealth of knowledge about what members expect from their professional association.   Her employment with ISPA began in October 1993 when at the tender age of 17 and she transferred to IFPA when the Federation was launched. Over the years she has been involved in many aspects of the IFPA’s work, including school accreditation, education, bookkeeping and assisting with conferences and events. In 2014, Kerry took a two-year hiatus from the IFPA, during which time she worked as a County Administrator for Citizens Advice Leicestershire. This was a very useful experience and one that she found extremely rewarding. Outside of work, Kerry has a busy life looking after two teenage sons, spending her weekends transporting them to various sporting events. Contact Kerry at [email protected]

Julie Sheffield is primarily responsible for membership renewals and services and If you’ve ever phoned the IFPA office, you’ve probably spoken to her.  Julie began working for ISPA in 2000 and continued after the formation of the IFPA in 2003.  She thoroughly enjoys her role supporting IFPA members. Julie works mainly on membership and renewals but also supports with school queries, conference bookings, and In Essence. Julie has two grown up children who have now left home.  Her son lives nearby with a young family of his own and her daughter lives in Portugal.  Julie herself lives near the IFPA office in Hinckley with her beloved dog, Elsie, who sometimes comes to work with her.  Outside work she enjoys exercise classes at the local leisure centre, playing with her granddaughter, spending time with friends, going to the cinema, eating out and shopping.  Although she’s not an aromatherapist, she has a keen interest in the therapy and enjoys reading InEssence.  Contact Julie at [email protected]

Emi, who is from Japan, studied English as an exchange student in the USA. On her return to Japan Emi worked at an International Airport as a ground- based hostess for a continental airline. Emi then came to the UK to study clinical aromatherapy and complete her continuing professional development courses at an IFPA- accredited school. After qualifying as an aromatherapist and returning to Japan, Emi offered aromatherapy treatments to family and friends while working as an English teacher. Emi has been working in the UK for a Midlands based company since 2017 and works at the IFPA office one day per week, liaising with Japanese IFPA members. Her role is to provide value to the IFPA’s Japanese members by offering a fast service in their own language, thereby facilitating becoming a new IFPA member and the renewal process. Contact Emi at [email protected].

Emily is responsible for assessing new accreditation applications and supporting IFPA’s existing accredited schools.  Emily is also part of the IFPA Education Committee.   Emily qualified as an aromatherapist in 2001 and upgraded to a clinical Aromatherapist in 2017. In 2018 Emily founded Sulis Aromatherapy, training in different massage and holistic therapy modalities. In 2019 Emily undertook a BSc in Medical Herbalism at Lincoln College and is due to graduate in July 2022. Emily has 18 years of experience in the third sector working as a Legacy Officer and has experience in fundraising and accounting. Emily runs a treatment practice in her garden, offering aromatherapy, herbal medicine, workshops and education in phytotherapy.  Contact Emily at [email protected]