Join us for our Annual Stakeholder Meeting, hosted by ELF Chair Phil Taverner, ELF Vice Chair Helen Parks, and ELF Director Pippa Powell.
Date: Thursday, 15 October 2026
Time: 12:00 – 13:30 CEST
This annual online meeting is an opportunity for patients, carers, patient organisations, healthcare professionals and partners to come together to reflect on the past year, celebrate our achievements and help shape the future direction of the European Lung Foundation.
This year will also provide an opportunity to welcome Phil Taverner as the new Chair of ELF as well as Helen Parks who takes on the new role of Vice Chair. Phil will share his vision for the organisation and outline how he hopes to work with the wider lung health community to strengthen patient involvement, collaboration and impact over the coming years.
During the meeting we will:
The meeting will include plenty of opportunities for discussion, questions, and suggestions. Your views will directly inform both ELF’s strategy and annual budget, helping to ensure that our priorities reflect the needs of patients, carers and the wider lung health community.
We encourage all members of our network to attend and play an active role in shaping the future of ELF. Together, we can continue to strengthen patient voices and improve lung health across Europe.
Phil Taverner is the Chair of the European Lung Foundation and began his 3-year mandate in September 2026 during the ERS Congress. Phil lives with asthma, bronchiectasis and a heart condition. With a background in social and community work in both the UK and New Zealand, Phil worked for local authorities and national charities before moving into public health research with the UK's National Institute for Health Research. Phil's advocacy journey has spanned a wide range of roles to raise awareness of the needs of patients and carers, the value of lived expertise in driving research and care, and the importance of collective action to ensure better lung health for all.
Helen Parks is the Co-Chair of the European Lung Foundation and began her term in September 2026 during the ERS Congress. Helen lives with asthma and became involved with ELF following her experience of COVID-19 in 2020. A former teacher from Belfast, Northern Ireland, she has played a leading role in patient advocacy through the ELF Council and as Chair of the United Patient Advisory Group (UPAG). Helen is particularly passionate about empowering patients to shape their care, encouraging young advocates to become involved in lung health, and raising awareness of the impact of tobacco, vaping and nicotine on young people.
