Anne Welsh

Anne Welsh is a British Sickle Cell Advocate, former chairperson of the UK Sickle Cell Society and founder and president of Arise Consult. Before founding Arise Consult, her roles included Vice President at New World Capital and Senior Vice-Associate of Corporate Communications at Lehman Brothers and Neuberger Berman.

She has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting and Finance and an MSc in Investment Management.

Anne Welsh is an author, entrepreneur and philanthropist. She was born in Nigeria and emigrated to the United Kingdom when she was very young. She was diagnosed with sickle cell anaemia at the age of four, and, after returning to live in her homeland while still a child, faced many of the problems that come with living with a life-threatening disease in a developing country.

Sickle cell anaemia is a blood disorder that affects haemoglobin and causes severe painful episodes which can last for weeks. Throughout my life I have campaigned tirelessly, through my role as Chairperson of Sickle Cell Society UK (from 2010-14), and through personal initiatives to raise awareness of the disease and hopefully help ease the plight of the many millions of people who suffer in silence around the globe.

Since returning to the UK in her late teens, and with the support of her family, Anne has created her own path to happiness through her academic studies and her career. After completing a degree in Accounting and Finance, Anne went on to achieve an MA in International Banking before starting her career in investment banking. She now runs her own consultancy firm, specializing in business development in Africa and beyond.

Anne is a tireless advocate for sickle cell disease and her memoir, Pain-less, was borne of her determination to raise awareness about the impact invisible diseases such as sickle cell can have on individuals, and also to give support and advice to other sufferers and their families. Having frequently battled with depression, Anne is all too aware of the difficulties faced by sufferers of life-threatening illnesses. By writing this book, she hopes to help others improve their mental and physical wellbeing and enable them to achieve a joyful and fulfilling life.

Anne is married with two children – something she once thought it may never be possible – and two stepchildren and lives in London.

One of Anne Welsh’s focus amongst many is to partner with major pharmaceutical companies and world health organisations for the purpose of providing affordable drugs to sickle cell warriors in Africa and to also bring about better healthcare systems and solutions that will allow warriors to live a reasonably Pain-Less life.

Anne’s new book PAIN-LESS, Living with pain, finding joy” launched in the UK on the 19th of June 2019.