Our Story
Why we exist
We founded Tortoise because we’ve been there; with the pain, long rehabilitation, slow progress and mental load that comes with musculoskeletal injuries and issues. Our mission is to help people recover well, giving them the freedom to lead the lifestyle they want to pursue. We’re called Tortoise because like in the story, slow and steady rehab wins the race.
Who we are
We’re a team of international athletes and experts in sports therapy, behavioural science, design, research and innovation. We’re combining our personal experiences of injury recovery with our professional skills and an in-depth research programme involving patients and professionals to help people recover well. Tortoise is supported by awards from Innovate UK and the National Institute of Health Research.
What we do
To help people recover well, we’re developing evidence-based solutions to help people feel in control of their recovery, look after their body and mind and feel supported and understood.
Our Team
Dr Anna Wilson
Director
Anna is an international athlete for the England Touch rugby team who has had around 10 different injuries over the past 13 years. Her injuries have had a big impact on her social and sporting life. After so many injuries and with the support of an elite sports set-up, Anna has developed coping strategies that work for her social, physical and mental health whenever an injury creeps in. Having team members and colleague curious about these coping strategies has ultimately inspired Anna to found Tortoise. Anna trained as a Veterinary Surgeon and Neuroscientist at The University of Cambridge and has 7 years experience in Medical Technology development and Innovation Consulting.
Dr Fiona McMaster
Research and Behaviour
Fiona is missing discs from her lumbar and cervical spine. She was a compliant patient, being particularly careful when starting a gradual exercise programme post surgery. But getting her diagnoses were tricky, involving navigating an unfamiliar health system and imaging backlogs in the NHS. Fiona is an expert in research, behaviour change and communication using motivational interviewing. Fiona has a PhD in Public Health, degrees in Chinese and Education and is a member of the Motivational Interviewing Network of Trainers. Fiona has worked in public and private sectors across 4 continents and has extensive experience training health and social care professionals.
Richard Luddington
Anatomy and Therapy
Richard is a MSK and Sports Therapist with BSc and MSc degrees in Sports and Exercise Medicine. He has treated over 5000 clients from his practice in Cambridge for over 10 years and is an integral part of the therapy teams for local and international sports clubs. Richard was an international athlete for the GB Bobskeleton team, competing for 6 years at an elite level. After an ankle issue caused Richard to reduce activity levels, he was curious that symptoms also deteriorated and he was barely able to move. With the COVID-19 lockdown, he changed his approach and gradually built strength requiring detailed tracking of activity levels and pain. Something worked, and Richard recently ran 300Km in 30 days, helping raise £200k for Prostate Cancer UK.
James Salisbury
Design and Experience
James is an industrial and product designer with dual expertise in design and behaviour. He combines these skills to design products, services and experiences grounded in thorough and systematic understanding of user needs. James is also a talented climber. Outdoor climbing expeditions and indoor training have precipitated a series of injuries including damage to his fingers, elbows and shoulders. His approach to rehabilitation is to remain positive where possible, but when injured, he deeply misses the physical and mental challenges of tackling a new rock face, and the camaraderie of the climbing community.
Our Values
Healthy
We prioritise the health of everyone and everything above all else. This includes making sustainability a key factor in decision-making.
Open
We are open about our thoughts, experiences and feelings to allow us to make meaningful connections and work effectively as a team.
Inclusive
We seek and respect people’s diverse needs and perspectives to create an accessible environment, culture and solutions.
Innovative
We are curious, adaptable and open to change. We challenge each other and the status quo, experimenting with ideas early and iterating them often.
Empathetic
We see situations from others' perspectives and serve people's emotional as well as functional needs.
Evidence-led
We use a scientific approach to evaluate problems and develop solutions that have a demonstrable positive impact.