Matthew Nakonesky
Matthew NakoneskyPrincipal Speech and Language Therapist
Matthew trained as a Speech Pathologist (that’s what they are called over in Australia!) and qualified in 2009. Since qualifying Matthew has worked primarily with adult clients who have experienced communication and/or swallowing difficulties due to a neurological event or condition.

Matthew has worked in a range of clinical settings including large acute teaching hospitals, community based work and spent several years working at a regional neurological inpatient rehabilitation centre in Newcastle upon Tyne.

Matthew is very passionate about delivering client focused and goal driven therapy, incorporating outcome measures to gauge progress. The use of technology is a large interest area both in providing therapy and the use of communication aids.

Matthew is very experienced working with patients who are involved in a medico-legal claim and enjoys the multidisciplinary approach to rehabilitation that this provides.

Poppy Larkin
Poppy LarkinAssociate Speech & Language Therapist
Poppy is an experienced Speech & Language Therapist specialising in adult neurology, with a clinical interest in neurological rehabilitation.

Poppy is a caring, motivated and enthusiastic individual who is dedicated to delivering evidence-based therapy and achieving maximum patient outcomes.

She has developed specialist skills and experience in dysphagia/communication assessments, supporting capacity assessments, implementing therapy programs and delivering training to other health professionals, support workers and client’s family/friends.

Poppy has gained her clinical experience in a variety of settings including inpatient rehabilitation, community rehabilitation and within the criminal justice system. From this broad range of clinical experiences Poppy prides herself at being able to work collaboratively with a range of different professionals.

Rowan Ranner
Rowan RannerAssociate Speech & Language Therapist
Rowan is a very experienced Speech & Language Therapist who has worked extensively in the field of acquired brain injury (ABI) rehabilitation in community settings. Through this work Rowan has developed a specialist level of clinical expertise in the areas of assessment selection and implementation, diagnosis and intervention planning and delivery.

Rowan has a keen interest working with clients with cognitive-communication difficulties, clients requiring vocational rehabilitation and providing intervention and support in the area of interpersonal and family system changes resulting from ABI.

Rowan takes an active role in helping organise professional development events for Speech & Language Therapists working with clients with an ABI and this commitment to evidence based practice is very visible in the assessment and rehabilitation approaches she takes with clients.

Rowan is based near the Lake District and we are thrilled to be able to provide high quality independent Speech and Language Therapy input to clients living in the North West.

Could this be you?
Could this be you?
Speech Therapy North East aims to be the largest provider of independent Speech and Language Therapy in the region. As our business grows we will look to employ therapy assistants and more therapists. Look out for updates on the site and on social media to find out what opportunities may arise in the future.