At Semovo, we're excited to share that starting October 1, 2024, sperm donors will receive £45 compensation per donation, following the latest recommendations from the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA). This increase acknowledges the time, commitment, and effort involved in sperm donation while considering the rising cost of living.
Joanne Adams
Donor Sperm Bank Manager
Joanne is especially passionate about sperm donation and manages our highly-successful sperm donor bank. She's also nationally active on issues relating to the recruitment of sperm donors.
Joanne also specialises in the treatment of sperm disorders. She is a Trustee of the Seed Trust Charity, which provides vital support to donors, intended parents, and surrogates involved in donor treatment.
Joanne says: "Many men who could be donors simply don't realise there's such a shortage of donor sperm. Through our ongoing campaign, we are one of the few clinics in the UK to have no waiting list for treatment with donor sperm."
Sam Edney
Lead Reproductive Technologist/Operations Manager
Sam is our Lead Reproductive Technologist and Operations Manager. His role is split between working with donors to get samples analysed and released for patient use, communicating with patients, and arranging transfers to clinics for those in need.
Before this role, Sam had been studying at The University of Sheffield. For his undergraduate degree, he read Biochemistry and then studied Reproductive and Developmental Medicine for his Masters.
Sam says: "I thoroughly enjoyed my studies, and the work on my Masters inspired me to pursue a career in the field of fertility. Meeting such altruistic donors and helping them actualise their dreams of helping people conceive is why I love doing what I do. I feel I play an important role in providing happiness to both the donor's and patients' lives."
Charlotte Storti
Senior Reproductive Technologist
Charlotte is a Senior Reproductive Technologist with a background in Biomolecular Science, which she pursued during her undergraduate studies while also gaining valuable experience working part-time in a pharmacy.
In her current role, Charlotte is dedicated to supporting donors throughout their entire journey, from the initial inquiry to the moment they become a donor.
Reflecting on her work, Charlotte shares: "It’s incredibly rewarding to witness the happiness of both donors and patients at the culmination of the process."
Zara Graham
Reproductive Technologist
Zara is a dedicated Reproductive Technologist here at Semovo. She holds a BSc (Hons) in Medical Biochemistry and an MSc in Reproductive and Developmental Medicine, from the University of Sheffield.
During her academic journey, Zara's enthusiasm for andrology was ignited through her MSc lab research project, an experience that laid the foundation for her commitment to the field. In her role at Semovo, Zara's primary responsibilities include guiding sperm donors through the process of donation as well as the analysis and cryopreservation of samples to be then used in treatment.
Zara finds her work exceptionally rewarding, saying, "I find it a very rewarding role and feel privileged to help patients find their donors and start achieving their dream of creating their family."
Dean Burke
Reproductive Technologist
Dean has dedicated his career to understanding life science on a molecular level. He studied molecular and cellular biology at Newcastle University before working for a pharmaceutical research organisation where he specialised in bioanalysis using mass spectrometry. In this role, he would play an essential part in identifying and quantifying biologically relevant molecules. Dean then worked as a research and development scientist for Unilever.
At Semovo, his role involves analysing and cryopreserving semen samples to prepare them for treatment either now or in the future.
Dean says: "I’ve always been interested in the genetic blueprint of life, and I’m excited to be involved at the earliest stages as part of the Semovo team."
Morgan Hawcroft-Hurst
Reproductive Technologist
Morgan holds a BSc in Biomedical Sciences from Newcastle University and an MSc in Reproduction and Pregnancy from the University of Manchester.
Working in hospitality and retail roles alongside her studies, she was searching for a role that combines her practical laboratory skills and her previous customer service experience. With Semovo, Morgan is keen to develop her clinical and laboratory skills while working as part of a team to improve patients’ lives and create families.
In her role as Reproductive Technologist, Morgan will be responsible for the analysis and cryopreservation of semen samples, travelling to our satellite clinics and guiding donors to ensure they are fully informed and receive the highest standard of care throughout their donation journey.
Morgan says: "I’m really passionate about reproductive science, and I want to help make a difference to people’s lives by helping them create families as well as increase the amount of donor sperm available for fertility treatment."
Kelsey Hall
Sperm Donor Programme Coordinator
Kelsey brings experience and empathy to her role as the Sperm Donor Programme Coordinator. With over 15 years in customer service, she has developed exceptional skills in communication and support, making her a compassionate and effective guide for donors. Her own personal experience with fertility challenges has deepened her commitment to helping others build families.
In her role, Kelsey is dedicated to guiding donors through every step of their journey, from the initial application to the final donation. Her day-to-day responsibilities include ensuring that each donor feels informed, valued, and comfortable throughout the process.
Kelsey says: “I find immense satisfaction in knowing that my work helps create happiness for families.”
Sandrine Oakes
Group Quality Manager
As Group Quality Manager, Sandrine’s role involves overseeing regulatory requirements, clinical governance and professional guidance to support Manchester Fertility and our donor sperm bank, Semovo, through regulatory inspections. Her role ensures we not only meet our mandatory requirements but go above and beyond to give our patients the best service possible.
Sandrine has gained an impressive skill set throughout her varied experience. Initially trained in business management and European languages, her career started in the airline industry. During her time in the airline sector, she developed an interest in regulatory compliance and how it can be used to improve both experience & safety.
She then retrained as an Operating Department Practitioner before becoming involved in the fertility sector in 2015. Sandrine worked as a Quality Manager at a clinic in the East Midlands before joining the HFEA (Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority) as a clinical inspector and Senior Inspector Information Quality. Throughout this previous experience, Sandrine has strengthened her clinical governance skills.
Sandrine says: "I was keen to return to a more hands-on role in the fertility sector and decided joining the Manchester Fertility and Semovo team was worth relocating from Nottingham to Manchester. I’m a solution-focused person, so I’m interested in improving patients’ experience and safety through learning from patient feedback."
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