MEET THE TEAM
Meet our Senior Team at Symbios Health
Dr Oli Cooper
Medical Director and Founder
Dr Oli Cooper started his career as a GP whilst also gaining experience in travel and dive medicine. He matured his interest in the field of Occupational Medicine in 2017 joining first a local and then national OH provider. In 2020 he founded Symbios Health on the principals of accountability, affordability and accessibility. He works alongside companies to guide occupational health service development specialising in complicated cases and balancing support for health at work with understanding operational requirements.
“Physician lead quality occupational health is at the heart of what we do- it is essential for people, the community and the economy. We need employees to feel empowered in fortifying their health within the workplace, and we help employers to navigate some of the delicate subtleties of how health affects us all. Being a local embedded and trusted company, we continue to serve our growing client base and feel passionate about our journey”
Dr Jonny Whittle
Clinical Director
Dr. Jonny Whittle brings two decades of medical expertise to his role as Clinical Director. A graduate of St. George’s University of London, he specialised in occupational health (AFOM) after a successful career as a GP Partner, where he helped establish an onsite pharmacy. Jonny’s passion for fostering medical talent led him to earn a Post Graduate Diploma of Medical Education from Oxford Brookes University, becoming a GP trainer and guiding future cohorts. He joined Symbios Health after several years with a large national occupational health provider, driven by a commitment to offer a unique blend of clinical expertise, personalised relationships, and local presence, qualities often challenging for larger organisations to deliver.
“By being present on sites, truly listening to the questions being asked and giving straightforward, evidence based, independent guidance, we are building trusted, long-term relationships and helping improve the health of both individuals and companies. Symbios Health is an exciting and dynamic place to work which has a real lasting impact on those we work with”.
Deborah Wassell
Head of Governance
Debs enjoyed a rewarding NHS career spanning 27 years. Originally qualifying as a hospital pharmacy technician, she went on to specialise in aseptic services, where her passion for precision and patient safety truly took root.
Driven by a strong commitment to quality care, Debs progressed into governance, eventually becoming the Trust’s Medicines Clinical Governance Lead. In this senior role, she developed a broad and deep understanding of trust-wide quality governance, including external audit processes, audit development and analysis, and the implementation and monitoring of change. She also led investigations into theft, fraud, and clinical incidents through root cause analysis, always with a focus on learning and improvement.
Debs is known for her enthusiasm for patient safety and her collaborative approach to building robust governance frameworks. She thrives on making systems safer, more transparent, and more effective for both patients and staff.
Now Debs has brought her wealth of experience to Symbios Health, where she’s embraced the opportunity to develop and strengthen the organisation’s governance structure. She’s proud to be part of a forward-thinking, supportive team with a shared vision for building a resilient organisation with an exciting future.
“When governance is strong, care becomes seamless. In occupational health, it’s the quiet force that empowers people to work well, live well, and feel valued.”
Gemma Weight
Operations Manager
Gemma Weight is the Operations Manager at Symbios Health, bringing over 17 years of healthcare and leadership experience to the role. With a strong background in pharmacy management, Gemma has led large multidisciplinary teams and implemented operational improvements across clinical settings. She is currently completing a Level 5 ILM qualification in Leadership and Management, further enhancing her skills in strategic planning, team development, and service delivery.
In her role, Gemma oversees the day-to-day operations of the organisation, ensuring efficient service coordination, team performance, and client satisfaction. She also provides executive support to the Directors, playing a key role in communication and administrative management. Known for her organised approach, collaborative leadership and commitment. Gemma is passionate and personable about delivering smooth, responsive occupational health services.
“I believe empowered, well-supported staff are the heart of every successful service. When people feel valued, they thrive, and so does the care they provide.”
Ellie Cooper
Head of Nursing and Clinical Education
Ellie qualified as a Registered Nurse at the University of Plymouth over 15 years ago. Her career spans both NHS and private settings including pre-hospital emergency care with the ambulance service, senior leadership roles as a ward sister and department matron, and the delivery of clinical and academic education across both practical and classroom-based settings.
Three years ago, Ellie transitioned into the field of Occupational Health, a move she describes as one of the most rewarding of her career. She now leads a team of nurses and technicians, championing clinical excellence and supporting ongoing professional development.
More recently, Ellie has been collaborating with the Society of Occupational Medicine and the Faculty of Occupational Health Nursing (FOHN) to help develop a strategic National In-House Training Framework for Occupational Health Nurses and Technicians. She is also working toward FOHN accreditation as a specialist practitioner in Occupational Health, demonstrating her commitment to strengthening the profession and advancing standards for the benefit of the clients we serve.
“Lifelong learning is at the core of occupational health. As the field continues to grow and transform, so does our chance, and our responsibility, to lead, inspire, and drive higher standards in health, safety, and wellbeing. By investing in continuous development and forward-thinking practices, we’re building a healthier, more sustainable workforce for today and the future, and ultimately, that benefits us all.”