BRUSSELS / LONDON – Thursday 12 March 2026 – Parkinson’s Europe is proud to announce the appointment of

as its new Director General. Hélène joins the organization at a time when 1.2 million Europeans are living with Parkinson’s – a number expected to double by 2030. She brings a clear mandate: to translate her background in strategic leadership and advocacy into faster, more tangible results for the Parkinson’s community.

Quote from Hélène Nicora, Director General: “I am joining Parkinson’s Europe with a clear sense of urgency. Parkinson’s is now the fastest-growing neurological condition in the world, yet the policy response and public awareness have not kept pace. Now more than ever, we must join forces, increasing pan-European collaboration, working closely together with our Member Organizations, to speak with one, undeniable voice at the European level. Parkinson ‘s needs to become a priority on the EU health agenda, so that we see concrete changes in research and access to the highest standards of treatment, support and care”

Hélène Nicora

Quote from Josefa Domingos, President of Parkinson’s Europe:

“We are thrilled to welcome Hélène. Her passion for creative, bold approaches is exactly what we need to elevate our community’s voice and to deliver our ambitious Strategic Plan. Together, we will push for better care standards and increased research funding that reflects the true scale of this condition.”

Quote from Shane O’Brien, Chief Executive Officer of Parkinson’s Ireland : “National organisations need a strong, coordinated partner in Europe to help our voices carry further. We’re excited by Hélène’s focus on collaboration. By working as a collective rather than in silos, we can make sure the Parkinson’s community is finally impossible for policymakers at European level to ignore.”

The appointment signals a renewed focus on the Parkinson’s Manifesto for Europe, pushing for increased awareness of Parkinson’s, the formalization of specialized Parkinson’s nurses and multidisciplinary teams across all Member States, strengthened research, and improved wellbeing for people with Parkinson’s.

For further enquiries please contact Laura Vickers-Green at laura@parkinsonseurope.org

Parkinson’s is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world, with over 10 million diagnoses globally – a number that is expected to double over the next 50 years. Parkinson’s occurs when brain cells that make dopamine, a chemical that coordinates movement, stop working or die. The most common symptoms are tremor (shaking), slowness of movement and rigidity (muscle stiffness, but the condition can cause a wide range of other symptoms including anxiety, pain, sleep disturbance, mood and cognition issues and a decreased quality of life. There is currently no cure for Parkinson’s. Symptoms are currently managed with medication, surgical treatments and complementary therapies.