Our Team

Georgia Perry-Hilsdon

Gigi met Oli in October 2012 when she arrived at Pembroke College, Cambridge to read History as Oli entered his final year in Economics.

Gigi brings to The Oli Hilsdon Foundation her dedication to change the outcome for those who are diagnosed with this cruel disease. She feels strongly that families should not lose their loved one to a brain tumour nor should anyone face the terminal prognosis that a brain tumour brings. She is determined that the research funded by The Oli Hilsdon Foundation will change the meaning of a Glioblastoma Multiforme diagnosis and help other families to avoid the devastation and pain that losing Oli has caused her.

Gigi read History and Real Estate Finance at Pembroke College, Cambridge before qualifying as a Chartered Surveyor in London.

Emily Hilsdon

Emily is incredibly proud to call Oli her brother. He was the most wonderful, supportive and inspirational big brother she could have asked for. Together they grew up in Buckingham.

Emily graduated from Southampton Solent University in 2016 with a degree in Psychology BSc (Hons) and now works in Marketing in the Charities sector.

Emily has both Marketing and charity experience but more importantly brings drive, passion and determination to The Oli Hilsdon Foundation.

Emily cares deeply that there is considered and meaningful change for a Glioblastoma prognosis. Research into Glioblastoma Multiforme is chronically underfunded and this needs to change. The survival rates for Glioblastoma Multiforme are significantly lower than most other types of cancer and this isn't acceptable. Emily strongly believes that change must begin now.

Emily is excited to see The Oli Hilsdon Foundation grow and progress and feels extremely privileged to be a Trustee.

Maria Perry

Maria is Oli's sister-in-law. To Maria, Oli is a complete inspiration. His courage, tenacity and genuine down-to-earth manner are only a few of the many things she remembers him by. He will forever be held in her highest regard as an example of how to live, to reach our potential and how to treat others. For the life of this incredible man to be taken so abruptly and finitely demonstrates the cruel nature of the disease. Just as Oli did not deserve this fate, countless others do not either. The lack of awareness and underfunding for GBM means research is way behind. Maria understands the need for this to change, and fast.

Maria graduated from Bristol University in History of Art followed by a Masters in Business Management from the Royal Agricultural University. She has since moved to London working in Asset Management. During her time at university she founded and has been running a luxury eyewear brand. Her get-up-and-go mentality and positive attitude in overcoming barriers, as well as her experience in advertising and social media are key skills she brings to The Oli Hilsdon Foundation. This, combined with her love and admiration for Oli and aim to preserve his memory, is the driver for the success of a dynamic charity that can bring about much needed progress.

John Boreham

John got to know Oli during their time at Pembroke College, Cambridge. John and Oli both studied Economics and played rugby and they quickly became very close friends. They both left Pembroke and moved to the City, where John now works for a global investment bank.

John was very keen to get involved with The Oli Hilsdon Foundation from the outset: partly in memory of Oli and partly because John was shocked, upon Oli's initial diagnosis, to discover how common and how deadly GBM tumours are. He believes it is a disease that is chronically under-represented and under-funded and believes The Oli Hilsdon Foundation is a powerful way to address this.

John has volunteered for various charitable causes and organised fundraisers throughout his life and hopes to use this drive to push The Oli Hilsdon Foundation onwards.

Alastair McWilliams

Alastair first met Oli as one of Oli's "college parents" when he arrived at Cambridge to study Economics in October 2010. Despite being in different years and studying for very different degrees (economists and linguists not always making natural allies), they immediately bonded over their shared love of rugby and other outdoor pursuits, and remained close friends ever since, often holidaying together from the Austrian Alps to the Dordogne. Alastair's fondest and most inspiring memories of Oli include watching his awesome performance at the London Marathon in April 2016 and seeing him marry his wife Gigi at their beautiful wedding ceremony at Pembroke College Chapel in October 2018.

Alastair read French & German at Pembroke College, Cambridge before moving to London to study law. He qualified as a corporate lawyer in September 2017 after two years' training at Allen & Overy.

Alastair believes that The Oli Hilsdon Foundation provides such an important opportunity to continue Oli's incredible work raising money for brain tumour research and to ensure his wonderful network of family and friends act as a platform for spreading awareness and making a difference in the fight against Glioblastoma.

Adam Lee

Adam and Oli studied at Pembroke together, where they both played in the college rugby team. They shared a passion for travel and went on a number of holidays together, including a particularly memorable trip to Kenya. During the last 2 years of Oli's life they lived with together in London. During these years, Adam saw a change in Oli's behaviour and mentality. Oli had always had a passion for life, but following his diagnosis he lived with a renewed vigour, never taking a moment for granted. Never complaining, he showed remarkable gratitude for everything he had. His passion, dignity and resolve were truly inspirational. His was a model for how to live life and to face challenges and adversity.

Adam read History at Pembroke, before moving to London to train as a Chartered Accountant at Deloitte, where he continues to work in Financial Services.

Adam is a strong believer that more must be done to support research into cures for brain tumours. He saw first-hand that, even with Oli's strength and determination and immense support from his family, friends and employer, there were simply no more avenues of treatment available. Oli stood no chance in his battle and his optimism was remarkable given the lack of hope that faces those with a diagnosis of Glioblastoma. Ultimately, the only way to open new treatment options and reduce the suffering that this cancer causes, is to pursue curative research.