Our Story

At Cure Crohn’s Colitis, we're driven by one thing: hope. Founded nearly 20 years ago by Ivor Tiefenbrun MBE after his own journey with Colitis, our charity is committed to improving lives for those with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Run entirely by volunteers, we directly fund groundbreaking research to enhance treatments and, ultimately, find a cure for IBD. From the PREdiCCt trial that sheds light on diet's impact on flare-ups to pioneering therapies, we aim to bring better care and quicker diagnoses to patients. With your support, we can create a brighter future for those living with IBD.

We do this at Cure Crohn’s Colitis with a focus on 3 missions…

1. Advance Research for a Cure

Fund and support pioneering research projects aimed at finding a lasting cure for Crohn’s disease and colitis, prioritising trials and studies with the greatest potential for breakthrough treatments.

2. Enhance Quality of Life for Patients

Improve the lives of those living with IBD by promoting better treatment options and supporting studies that address the unique challenges faced by patients, including diet, lifestyle, and personalised medicine.

3. Raise Awareness and Inspire Support

Increase public understanding of IBD and build support for our mission through community engagement, educational campaigns, and partnerships that advocate for faster diagnoses and more effective treatment pathways.

Meet the Team

  • Ivor Tiefenbrun

    FOUNDER & HONORARY PRESIDENT
    Diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2002, Ivor’s personal experience prompted him to set up Cure Crohn’s Colitis.

    He is the Founder of market-leading music system manufacturer Linn Products Ltd.

  • Gilad Tiefenbrun

    CHAIR
    When Cure Crohn’s Colitis founder Ivor Tiefenbrun MBE had to step back from the charity due to ill-health, his son Gilad was keen to get involved and joined the Board in 2021.   With 4 members of his own family having suffered from Crohn’s – including one of his teenage daughters – Gilad knows and has experienced personally the devastating impact inflammatory bowel disease has on sufferers and their families. 

    An Electronics and Electrical Engineering graduate, Gilad is the CEO of world-leading hifi manufacturer Linn Products Ltd. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Strathclyde and also enjoys guest lecturing on family business at Imperial College, London.

  • Dr Daniel R Gaya

    IBD RESEARCH CONSULTANT
    Consultant physician and gastroenterologist based at Glasgow Royal Infirmary.

    Daniel has a special interest in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and receives tertiary referrals for the management of complex cases. He runs two weekly adult IBD clinics and in addition organises a transition clinic with colleagues at Yorkhill for adolescents with IBD.

    Daniel provides clinical insights to the board which are invaluable when deciding which IBD research projects to invest funding in, based on how the outcomes will benefit Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis patients in the future.

  • Danielle Blance

    Danielle Blance

    TREASURER
    Approached by Gilad in 2021 to take up the position as treasurer, Danielle eagerly joined the charity. Danielle was currently undergoing tests for Crohn’s so was keen to get on board with the charity.  Danielle works alongside Gilad at Linn Products Ltd. in the Finance department and has 16 years’ experience in finance.

  • Liz Gallacher

    PUBLIC RELATIONS
    Liz has been in journalism for 35 years, working as a news reporter, features writer and editor in national and local newspaper publications. A close member of Liz's family has Crohn's disease. She has been involved with the charity for 10 years and is passionate about raising awareness to help progress research for a cure for IBD.


  • Marc Cairns

    COMMUNICATIONS AND STORYTELLING
    Marc (he/him) was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis whilst living in New York in 2008 during his graduate work placement. Since his return to Glasgow in 2010 he has learned to live joyfully with this difficult chronic illness whilst also co-founding and directing New Practice, part of Civic, a multi-award winning architecture practice working across the UK, Ireland and internationally.

  • Dr Richard Hansen

    IBD RESEARCH CONSULTANT
    Richard is a Clinical Reader in Child Health at University of Dundee and an Honorary Consultant Paediatric Gastroenterologist at both Ninewells Hospital and Medical School, Dundee and Royal Aberdeen Children’s Hospital. His main research interest is the gastrointestinal mucosal microbiota and its importance in paediatric disease, particularly inflammatory bowel disease. He is especially interested in changing the microbiota via microbial therapeutics and has helped develop clinical  studies in this area including novel dietary therapies for Crohn’s disease, faecal transplant for ulcerative colitis, and the first-in-humans Phase I study of a novel biotherapeutic for Crohn’s disease.