Clive Smith

President

Clive became President of the Haemophilia Society (THS) in November 2024, having served for five years as our Chair and nine years as a trustee. 

As chair, Clive guided THS through one of the most challenging periods of our history, as we dealt with the impact of the Infected Blood Inquiry and its outcomes, as well as a rapidly changing treatment landscape.  

The youngest of three brothers, all with severe haemophilia A, Clive is passionate about raising awareness within the bleeding disorders community of what can be achieved. He has never wanted to be defined by his haemophilia and is keen to support everyone with a bleeding disorder to reach their full potential. 

Clive is a qualified barrister who has practiced criminal law for 11 years. In 2015 Clive left full-time practice and now works part-time, teaching and training solicitors and barristers. 

Clive is active on the global bleeding disorders stage, and has spoken at both the World Federation of Hemophilia’s (WFH) and the European Haemophilia Consortium’s (EHC) conferences in recent years. He chairs the WFH’s Youth Committee and in 2021 was appointed to the UK Rare Diseases Framework Board as a patient representative.   

Despite arthritis in his ankle, Clive keeps active.  He ran the Brighton Marathon in aid of Great Ormond Street Hospital, has competed in triathlons and completed four Ironman triathlons.  

Conan McIlwrath

Chair

Conan took on the role of the Haemophilia Society’s (THS) chair in November 2024, having served for five years as a trustee.  

He has a long history with us as both his parents were heavily involved with the Northern Ireland (NI) local group from when he was a child. He has many fond memories of the group’s community events, including conferences, AGMs, local family days and holidaying in society caravans around the country.  

Conan has severe haemophilia A and having been born in the early 1980s he came into contact with contaminated blood; becoming infected with hepatitis C. He is now clear of the virus and has been heavily involved in the Infected Blood Inquiry and campaigning for justice for people infected and affected by the scandal.  

An engineer, Conan has held management positions in the NI water industry for more than 20 years. He lives in County Antrim in Northern Ireland with his son Mathew, partner Andrea and her daughter Ariana. 

Conan said: ‘I’m very honoured to take on the role of chair of THS. I step up at a time of unprecedented financial pressure for charities. My foremost ambition is to achieve self-sustainability through the growth and engagement of our membership.’