Meet Our Team
The HealthyStep team includes some of the UK’s leading podiatrists and product designers as well as an efficient and friendly support team. Together we make sure all our customers benefit from the best orthotics and insoles, supported by outstanding service and expert advice.
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Timothy Hall
Managing Director
How does someone with a background in technical textiles, materials and technology end up setting up a business to design and develop orthotics? The answer is more obvious than it seems; premium orthotics are often plastic based and covered with some form of textile as a top cover. Combine this with a passion for design, development and manufacture and it was the perfect environment for Tim to work in.
HealthyStep has enabled Tim to work with talented people from a diverse range of disciplines including podiatry, physiotherapy, surgery, marketing, design and 3D print. It’s what inspires him to go into work every day. And because innovation is at the core of our success, Tim works daily to drive our new product development programme and deliver patient-centred solutions that significantly improve foot comfort.
Out of the office, Tim is proud to be one of the growing number of MAMILS (Middle Aged Men In Lycra Shorts) and can usually be found on his mountain bike in the Saddleworth hills or on his road bike sailing round the roads of the Peak District, usually ending up in the pub!
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Andy Horwood M.Pod.A, D.Pod.M. MChS
Product Designer & Researcher at HealthyStep
Andy is an inventor, design consultant, and researcher for Healthy Step Ltd, who qualified as a podiatrist in 1988 in Plymouth, Devon, UK. He initially worked within the NHS at Plymouth Health Authority and later in Rochdale’s Podiatric (Foot) Surgery Department, UK. He joined the private Mid-Yorkshire Nuffield Hospital in 1991, working there for 7 years. Following this, ran an independent podiatry practice in Leeds, Yorkshire, UK from 1999 to 2016.
He has been a visiting lecturer and fellow at Staffordshire University (UK) 1999-2024, having written a module for the University’s post graduate MSc course in Clinical Biomechanics during 1998-99.
Andy has published several peer review papers and many other articles in professional journals on human biomechanics and the use of insoles (‘orthotics’) for therapeutic benefit. He has completed two clinical textbooks titled ‘Clinic Biomechanics in Human Locomotion: Origins and Principles’ (ISBN: 978-0-323-85212-8) and ‘Clinical biomechanics in Human Locomotion: Principles of Gait and Pathomechanics’ (ISBN: 978-0-443-15860-5), both published by Academic Press, an imprint of Elsevier in 2023.
Andy has particular interest in the role that human walking has played in our species evolution and how it maintains our physical and mental health throughout our lives.
Outside of his research and writing, Andy is a keen koi keeper and angler who has written several chapters in two angling books. He loves the outdoors and enjoys walking with his dog, wild swimming, and gardening. He is well aware of the health benefits of each of these activities. Recently he learnt how to paddle board, fall off, and get back on again. The last skill was particularly useful.
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Daniel Willerton
Operations Manager
Daniel joined HealthyStep in 2002 on a part-time basis, picking and packing products for delivery to customers. As the range extended and the role developed, he was invited to join the business on a full time basis and is now a pivotal member of our team.
Daniel’s in-depth knowledge of our products, combined with his experience of distribution, meant he was soon promoted to Operations Manager where he is responsible for ensuring the efficient distribution of products to customers in the NHS and private foot health sector, building relationships with suppliers and managing imports and exports.
Daniel regularly puts his product to use helping his colleagues in the sales team and was also heavily involved in helping HealthyStep obtain ISO9001:2015 accreditation.
When he’s not at work, Daniel likes to keep active and plays a variety of sports. He loves spending time with his young family and walking Ollie the Beagle, a regular contributor to our newsletter and constant workplace companion.
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Rory Markham
Product & Graphic Designer
In 2018, Rory Markham joined Healthy Step for a work placement year throw university, lending his talents to graphic design and product development. After finishing his product design course at the university of Huddersfield Rory became a full time employee and has been working since.
Rory Markham adeptly applies his multifaceted skills to enhance Healthy Step’s branding and product presentation. As an accomplished graphic designer, he develops striking packaging, posters, flyers, and web art, amplifying the company’s visual identity and marketing endeavours. Additionally, Markham’s expertise in CAD enables the precise design of insole attachments and0. insoles, ensuring products meet the highest standards of innovation and quality.
At Healthy Step Rory learned about 3D printing utilizes the Object 30 and F170 3D printers for efficient manufacturing and rapid prototyping, showcasing his commitment to innovation and essential role in advancing the company’s goals.