Meet the team
Hugo Cauvas
Technical Director
Hugo has over 10 years experience, working alongside his father, Norbert, the founder of Foot Factor. Qualified with SIDAS to work with Podiatech medical and Conform’able sports products, Hugo also holds a Non-Surgical Foot Care Diploma giving him the extensive knowledge needed to create bespoke custom orthotics. As Technical Director Hugo trains our in-house podiatrists and works closely with consultants, physiotherapists and other professionals who refer their patients to him. His unique approach and skills are highly regarded by professionals and clients alike.
With a strong cycling background Hugo raced road bikes at a national level for 8 years in the UK and Europe and has supported Tour de France cyclists from the INEOS Grenadiers, Jumbo Visma and Bahrain Victorious cycling teams with Foot Factor orthotics. Hugo’s other great passion, skiing, took him to Val d’Isere, France, where he had the opportunity to work with World Cup ski racers and elite snow sports athletes. He uses his valuable experience in both the medical and sports sector when creating your bepoke orthotics, handmade and perfectly tailored to you.
Alex Goldsmith
Orthotics Specialist
Alex has over 20 years of experience as an orthotics specialist, highly regarded in the sports world as well as working alongside physiotherapists, osteopaths and other health consultants to provide bespoke orthotic insoles for a wide range of issues.
She is particularly interested in biomechanics and this has led to opportunities around the world, learning from experts and developing her own skills and expertise in crafting orthotics. As a ski instructor Alex fully understands the role and importance of tailored orthotics and the impact they have on stability, alignment and movement of the body, whether to improve sports performance or address a presenting issue.
Alex delivers training to practitioners across the UK for Sidas, the world leader in custom insoles, podiatry products and cutting edge techniques. She supports sports brands with her extensive knowledge and works closely with Warren Smith and his Ski Academy Team to develop new products and promote the importance of sound biomechanics and alignment in sports and all footwear.
Alex can be found supporting various technical ski brands in the winter when not at Foot Factor and also works alongside Warren Smith and his Ski Academy team, teaching and promoting the importance of sound biomechanics in a sports context.
Away from work Alex has completed a couple of marathons so understand the mechanics of running and some of the problems that can arise. She is a keen cyclist and makes time to get out on the road whenever she can. Alex's interest in feet evolved from a family history of feet issues and she has made it her life' work to understand and manage people's biomechanical issues from her unique perspective.
Norbert Cauvas
Orthesiste Bandagiste
Trained in Lyon, France, I have 30 years of practical experience in gait, biomechanics and making orthotics. In that time I have worked with many sports professionals and cared for many more people whose condition required a thorough assessment and the provision of unique custom orthotics.
During my 30 year's experience, I spent 6 years working in the Research and Development of SIDAS France (Con’formable, Podiatech). SIDAS is a leader in sports podiatry, specialising in the use of advanced moulding technologies and heat sensitive materials.
My work at SIDAS gave me the opportunity to work closely with numerous elite athletes from a wide range of sports as well as the doctors, physiotherapists and health professionals supporting sports teams and individuals. It allowed me to develop my own unique techniques and approach, finding the best solutions for optimum performance, comfort and stability.
Today, I continue to guide and advise the Team as they move forward with the Foot Factor ethos.
Matthew Collison
Musculoskeletal & Sports Podiatrist
I qualified in 2014 at the University of Southampton, graduating with first-class honours. Following this I completed an Arthritis Research UK (Versus Arthritis) internship in Triathlon Injury at the University of Leeds and completed a Masters in Clinical and Health Research as part of the NIHR Clinical Academic Training scheme focused on footwear. I hold a Specialist NHS post in MSK for Oxleas NHS Foundation Trust in Greenwich. I also previously worked in Orthopaedics at the Royal Free NHS Foundation Trust and led the rheumatology podiatry service at King’s College Hospital.
I gained membership of the Faculty of Podiatric Medicine, Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow by examination in 2018, and was elected as a member of the faculty executive board in 2019 and have since been appointed as the Director of Communications for the Faculty. I am a member of the College of Podiatry and am HCPC registered.
As a podiatrist, I am qualified to assess and manage problems of the foot and ankle. I have been working with Foot Factor for several years both in-clinic and now as a consultant in an advisory capacity, helping the Foot Factor team to continue to develop and evolve.