About Us

Karl Seymour
Founder

Karl is a co-founder of Photosymbols with a background in writing, graphic design and photography. He developed an interest in accessible information and communication while working as a carer, and later as an accessible information designer for the NHS in Bristol.

Pete Le Grys
Founder

Pete is the other founder whose specialisms are co-production, involvement and training. Pete has a wealth of experience in the health and social care sector and also worked for the NHS in Bristol where the pioneering work we do first began.

Dean Milner-Bell
Easy Read Designer

Dean came to us with many years of experience building the ‘Easy on the I’ symbol set based in Leeds, Yorkshire. He works behind the scenes supporting image and template creation, as well as being a familiar face in our video tutorials.

Holly Yuille
Office Manager and Support

As our Office Manager, Holly heads up our customer support. Her background is in supporting adults with learning disabilities, as well as working alongside people with learning disabilities and other disabled people in self-advocacy and rights-based organisations, where she specialised in accessible communication.

Martin Wood
Software Engineer

Martin is our Principal Architect and Engineer and is responsible for developing the online experience and technical development of Photosymbols. He lives in Cardiff, Wales.

Michaela Mamara
Expert Adviser

Michaela lives in London and is one of three Expert Advisers with lived experience, who form an important part of our team. She advises on new pictures, access and positive image among other things.

Hayley Burwood
Expert Adviser

Hayley is another Expert Adviser who helps steer our work. She is based in Norwich in the East of England and a member of Opening Doors where she heads up the easy-read design work.

Shaun Webster MBE
Expert Adviser

Shaun is a well known self-advocate with a great deal of experience of making information accessible. He is one of the original members of Change, based in Leeds, who created the Change Picture Bank. He speaks all over the world about advocacy, rights and information.

Stephen Shepherd
Photographer

Stephen has been an important part of our team for over a decade. He brings many years of experience as a press, education and editorial photographer and ensures our images are always of the highest quality. You can take a look at his portfolio here.