Meet the team

About Amanda: Amanda has a wealth of experience both in the NHS and charity sector, with a track record of delivering improvements in care, performance and finances. Joining the team in October 2021, she brings with her a strong clinical and business development background – with an MBA from Brighton University.

From Amanda: “I am passionate about safe and compassionate care that is accessible to all and particularly for the most vulnerable in our society.”

About Anna: Anna is a registered paediatric nurse and children’s community nurse specialist, with considerable experience working in paediatric palliative care. She’s worked in and around the local area for the past 17 years – working across multiple sectors and organisations. She lives locally with her husband and two teenagers and loves to go on family adventures abroad.

From Anna: “It’s a privilege to take up this role and I’m looking forward to developing Chestnut Tree House services for children and families, now and in the future.”

About Becki: Becki’s worked in the charity sector for 20 years in various fundraising and communications roles. Including national charities like Prince’s Trust and Alzheimer’s Society. Outside of work Becki is a governor of the local infants school, and pretends to be an accountant for her husband’s music business. She lives in Hassocks with her husband, son, dog and cat.

From Becki: “The role at St Barnabas Hospices is the first time in my career that I have the privilege of being able to raise money in the community that my family and I live”.

About John: John is a qualified management accountant and has served as Finance Director or CFO for many years in NHS hospital trusts and universities. John has two grown-up children and lives in Brighton, where he produces cider from apples grown in the garden.

From John: “Having supported local food bank and homelessness charities as a volunteer, I’m enjoying the opportunity to bring my professional skills and experience to the running of this important local charity.”

About Jane: Jane is a consultant in palliative medicine and has worked in palliative care for 18 years in community, hospice inpatient and hospital posts in the UK and overseas both as a GP and as a palliative care specialist. She works closely with the Head of Service to provide clinical and strategic leadership for the hospice, clinical insight into discussions at the executive team level and is the organisation’s Caldicott Guardian. Jane continues to be involved in direct patient care, training, education, research and governance alongside this role. She lives in Hove and is a very keen Charleston dancer and sea dipper.

From Jane: “I am passionate about working within multi-professional teams to deliver effective holistic and equitable care in a sustainable way for both patients, their loved ones and our own staff. I believe palliative care is everyone’s business.”

Joined: 2010
Appointed Chair: 2021

Area of expertise: Healthcare

About Mike: Mike was a Consultant Obstetrician and Gynaecologist in West Sussex for 24 years, retiring from clinical practice in 2014, where he then went on to be a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Western Sussex Hospitals and Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals and as Deputy Chair for Western Sussex Hospitals.

From Mike: “I am excited to be taking on the role as Chair of Trustees for an organisation that provides the highest quality of care to individuals and their families when it is most needed.”

Mike’s LinkedIn 

Area of expertise: Finance and the charity sector

About Ros: Ros is a previous Finance Director for Chestnut Tree House and St Barnabas House. With a previous career in teaching. She’s retained links with both hospices and recently has assisted in Finance when there have been changes in the management team.

Ros has also been treasurer for the charity Together for Short Lives for over 10 years, and retains a keen interest in the children’s hospice sector.

Outside of charity work, Ros enjoys walking, travelling, yoga, gardening and, of course, watching the grandchildren grow up.

From Ros: “Given my experience of the charity, I want to see St Barnabas continue to succeed and I hope that, as a trustee, I will be able to make a positive contribution to its valuable work in delivering excellent care for the local community. “

Area of expertise: Financial services

About Jill: Now retired, Jill has a wealth of experience in the private sector in senior management roles. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Direct Marketing and a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute.

Jill’s LinkedIn

Areas of expertise: business, finance and HR

About Tony: As a previous Director of ECE Architecture, Tony has experience with all areas of managing a multifaceted organisation as well as large-scale construction projects.

From Tony: “Having, through the architectural practice, worked with and supported both St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House, I’m delighted to be able to have the opportunity to be fully involved and help with both these tremendous organisations.”

Tony’s LinkedIn

Areas of expertise: Finance

About Martin: Martin recently retired as a partner in MHA Carpenter Box accountants and tax advisers, where he joined in 1975 and later became a partner in 1982. He is delighted to be a Trustee and his business and financial expertise will be of great benefit to the charity.

Are of expertise: Clinical

About Vicci: Vicci had previously worked for the NHS and Local Government in the Northwest as a GP and consultant in Public Health. Passionate about reducing health inequalities, Vicci was involved in planning high quality equitable healthcare.

From Vicci: “I’ve seen first-hand what a difference palliative care at home can make – for my brother, father and best friend. I hope that my passion for building happy effective teams and continual drive to improve quality will support everyone across the organisation.”

Areas of expertise: Healthcare

About Tony: Tony, previous Trustee of the Roy Kinnear Trust, was a paediatric plastic and reconstructive surgeon for 28 years, retiring from clinical practice in 2007. He has also made several trips to the Pacific Islands with the Australian Government Interplast Programme.

From Tony:  “I feel that having been an NHS doctor, dealing with children and the terminally ill, I can contribute to the continuing high standards in all aspects of care provided by both St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House”.

Areas of expertise: Clinical and strategy

About Stuart: Stuart, Professional Head of Allied Health Professions (AHPs) at NHS Improvement, is a physiotherapist by profession, Stuart has worked in a number of clinical, operational and non-clinical roles across the NHS, private and professional body sectors, at local, regional and national levels.

From Stuart: “I feel that my knowledge and experience of working at a national level within healthcare, will allow me to contribute to the delivery of high quality, safe and effective care provided by St Barnabas House and Chestnut Tree House, to both individuals and populations now and into the future”.

Stuart’s LinkedIn 

Areas of expertise: Law

About David: Prior to his retirement from full-time working in May 2020 David Rennie worked for 24 years as a Criminal Law Barrister, both defending and prosecuting cases in the Crown Court.  In 2001 he was appointed as a Circuit Judge and presided over serious criminal trials in Sussex and at the Old Bailey for the next 19 years.

David’s LinkedIn 

Areas of expertise: Technology and IT

About Ian: Ian is a chartered Electronic Engineer with an MBA from Imperial College London. He has many years’ experience building teams and motivating experts to innovate, using the latest technology and processes to deliver new solutions.

From Ian: “I have learnt the importance of dignity throughout life and leapt at the opportunity to be part of a team that ensures that this continues for the seriously or terminally ill. I believe in the value of ensuring everyone has access to the highest levels of care and respect at their hardest time in life.  I have been lucky to have a long and varied career. I would like to think that along the way I have learnt some valuable lessons that can add value to the team at St Barnabas Hospice and Chestnut Tree House to deliver outcomes that people really need.”

Ian’s LinkedIn 

Areas of expertise: Children’s care and safeguarding

About Ruth: Ruth has worked in the NHS for 45 years as both a Registered General and Children’s Trained Nurse. Recently she has provided nursing advice for capital projects, and also worked as a specialist advisor for the CQC.