We are profertility
Meet the team
“Together, we’re working to make preventable infertility a thing of the past.”
We stand against the reactive approach to fertility care that’s unaffordable and inaccessible. We’re creating a new, proactive way for people to take control of their family planning, with affordable access to healthcare and treatment.
Toyin Lawal
Founder
Toyin is an accomplished and visionary leader in the UK fertility industry, with over a decade of experience in transforming healthcare systems and processes. She holds an Honours degree in Biomedical Science and an MBA.
As a founding member of the UK's largest egg and sperm banks, Toyin has played a pivotal role in making egg and sperm donation more accessible to patients. Her innovative approach to donor-recipient matching has helped thousands achieve their dream of parenthood. Notably, she launched the UK's first online donor-matching websites for sperm and egg donation, licensed by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA).
Toyin's work with donors uncovered a significant lack of reproductive health education among the general population. Many intending parents, having focused on avoiding pregnancy for years, were unaware of key issues such as age-related fertility decline until they began trying to conceive. Toyin also observed that many donors had used hormonal birth control for extended periods, leading to limited knowledge about their natural menstrual cycles and potential health concerns. This realisation inspired her to create ProFertility.
Through ProFertility, Toyin seeks to empower individuals and couples with the knowledge and tools needed to make informed decisions about their reproductive health and family planning. By breaking down barriers, she aims to ensure that everyone, regardless of their background, has access to the support and resources they need on their fertility journey.
Charlotte McDonald
Co-Founder
Charlotte is a highly experienced women's healthcare professional with over eight years specialising in fertility, menopause care, gynaecology, and obstetrics.
Her focus and strength is in her ability to see the world from the customer’s point of view.
As a former leader of patient enquiry teams at top fertility clinics, she has a deep understanding of the emotional and practical struggles of women, men, and couples dealing with infertility.
Charlotte is highly regarded for her ability to build excellent customer care teams from scratch and provide exceptional clinical patient support.
Her passion for creating a positive impact in women's healthcare has led to an expertise in developing clinical care pathways, building effective teams, and ensuring compliance with industry regulations.
She has honed these skills with the ultimate goal of improving the customer experience for women, men, and couples dealing with infertility and those wanting to learn more about their reproductive health.
David O-Rourke
Co-Founder
David is an experienced senior embryologist with over 10 years of clinical experience. He has worked at some of the world's leading fertility clinics and fertility start-ups, with extensive knowledge of embryology laboratory management, developing new fertility treatments, and quality management.
He is driven by innovation and has successfully launched several ground-breaking fertility tech products, including a leading venture capitalist backed fertility tech product.
He is an expert in cryobiology, with a particular focus on vitrification techniques for oocytes and embryos. He served as a senior embryologist and lab director for a leading UK fertility clinic, where he managed the embryology laboratory and oversaw the clinical embryology team.
In addition to his clinical work, he’s an active member of the embryology community, frequently speaking at international conferences and publishing articles in scientific journals. He also actively engages with the wider community, having volunteered with several organisations that focus on fertility education and awareness.
Dr Justin Chu
Clinical Lead, Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr Justin Chu, our Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, completed his medical training at the University of Birmingham. He received specialised training in obstetrics and gynaecology, followed by sub-specialty training in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery.
With his extensive knowledge and experience, Dr Chu provides invaluable support and guidance to individuals and couples on their fertility journey. He addresses surgical interventions, fertility issues, and lifestyle modifications, ensuring comprehensive care for his patients.
Recognising the critical role of men in the fertility journey, Dr Chu advocates equal attention and investigation to optimise fertility outcomes for both men and women. He is actively involved in the UK Fertility Education Initiative Specialist Interest Group at the British Fertility Society, serving as the deputy chair, and also contributes to the Specialist Interest Group for Andrology for both the British Fertility Society and UK Endocrine Society.
Dr Chu actively delivers lectures and small group teaching sessions on reproductive physiology and clinical aspects of reproduction to undergraduate and postgraduate medical students.
With an impressive publication record, Dr Chu has contributed significantly to the field of reproductive medicine and surgery. With over 40 peer-reviewed articles and book chapters, his research focuses on embryo implantation, male fertility, and fertility education. Dr Chu is frequently invited to speak at national and international conferences, playing an active role in advancing the field of reproductive medicine and surgery.
Meet our specialists
We believe that doing things the way we’ve always done them is no longer good enough. We believe in taking action and making change happen.
Dr Justin Chu
Fertility Consultant – Fertility, Miscarriage, Obstetrics & Gynaecology
Toyin Lawal
Fertility Adviser & Egg/Sperm Donation Specialist
Dr Chris Blick
Consultant Urologist - Men’s Health Expert
Dr Chong Lim
Endocrinologist -Hormone Health Specialist
Douglas Twenefour
Dietitian Specialising in Afro-Caribbean Nutrition
Katherine Pleace
Early Menopause & Menopause Specialist
Natasha Anderson
Psychotherapist - Mental Well-being & Sexual Health
Ciaran Hannington
Personal Trainer for Men's Fertility Health
Clair Engelbrecht
Genetic Counsellor,
Maria McMaster Howells
Fitness Trainer Specialising in Women's Fertility & PCOS
Jennifer Bloxham
Nutritional Therapist Specialising in Optimising Health for Fertility
Annie Perry
Yoga Specialist for Fertility Well-being
Gail Marra
Clinical Hypnotherapist for Stress Relief and Fertility Support
