Board of Trustees

Sue joined the Board of Trustees in February 2017. In her working life, she was the Head of Ousedale School in Newport Pagnell and Olney for 10 years. Under Sue’s leadership, the school achieved educational success, combined with the development of students’ values and compassion for those less fortunate. Willen Hospice is the school’s charity and in her post Sue gained knowledge about charity accounts, led several building projects worth over £6m, and looked after over 2000 children and 250 employees. Sue now puts her knowledge and leadership skills to use at Willen Hospice, first as Chair of People Services and Treasurer since 2020. In her spare time, Sue enjoys singing, playing the piano and travel together with spending time with my family and friends.

Philip has a nursing background of which over 30 years was based in palliative and end of life care in a variety of roles. He worked as a nurse and manager at Willen Hospice over two different periods in that time. Now semi-retired Philip is Freedom to Speak Up Guardian at Milton Keynes University Hospital. He has used social media to network professionally and personally. Philip is also a Parish Councillor in his local village. He contributes to the Hospice through the Clinical Governance committee, the Council of Management, advising on clinical matters, and volunteering at events.

Philip has lived in Milton Keynes since 1984, where he and his family grew and continue to live. Making time for gardening, reading, and pursuing his fascination with railways are important though his new grandson trumps that.

Madeline has been a trustee since November 2016. She is a retired GP having been in practice locally in Woburn Sands for 33 years. She has always had an interest in care of the dying and in palliative care. In her work, she saw first hand the wonderful care and support given by Willen Hospice to her patients and their families. Madeline chairs the Clinical Governance Committee and sits on the Executive Committee. She represents Clinical care on the Health & Safety working group.

In her time as trustee, she has promoted integrated governance within the hospice, leading to the formation of the Executive Committee. Within the Council of Management she reports & advises on clinical matters. She also takes part in fund-raising activities. Madeline enjoys her family and grandchildren. She plays golf and loves reading and travelling.  She is also involved with Boccia, a sport for those with disability.

Marihelen spent her early career as a serial entrepreneur, buying, building and selling a number of businesses including a publishing house, advertising agency, pr consultancy, and industrial film maker.  She then moved to Somerset and purchased a livestock and soft fruit farm.  Moving to Olney in 1987 she bought the delicatessen and a stake in a jewellery and a travel agency business. Between 1990 and 2019, Marihelen took up a Visiting Fellow post at Cranfield University, becoming Programme Director of the Business Growth and Essential Management Programmes, specialising in helping owner-managers define and implement strategic objectives. In retirement Marihelen is a keen gardener and swimmer, and actively supports a number of charities.

I am married with two daughters and one granddaughter. I spent my working life as a chartered surveyor, a fellow of the RICS, and partner in a professional practice where I specialised in project management and dispute resolution.

Paul first got involved with Willen in early 2022 having returned from a spell living and working overseas, firstly as a Director of Willen Hospice Ventures and is now a Trustee and Chair of the Business Development Committee. Paul’s mother was cared for at Willen in her final days, many years ago. He had always wanted to give something back to the organisation who had been superb with him and his family during such a difficult time.

Paul has extensive business experience, having had Managing Director and Finance Director roles with a number of UK and international companies. Paul brings a lot of real world experience to be able to support the Business Development team and the wider Senior Leadership Team.

Outside of work, Paul plays golf and is keen on most sports having played cricket and rugby when he was younger. Paul is married with two sons who have now left home and safely in world of work. This has given Paul a little more time to be able to get involved with the Hospice.

After working many years in the materials research industry, in her mid-thirties, Jan trained as a nurse, at Stoke Mandeville Hospital. Intending to be a Health Visitor, she was seduced by Medicine and so worked on an acute medical and respiratory ward. Given her technical background, a special clinical/technical role was created that supported her to implement the first patient record system across the hospital. She them moved to the local Health Authority, and stayed with that during its various incarnations as PCG, then PCT, resulting in her being responsible for all IM&T across the NHS and Primary Care in Bucks. She then retired and offered freelance services across Thames valley and Hampshire, until she became employed by Milton Keynes CCG, on a two-week basis.

Jan is now a senior member of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, where she has responsibility for Emergency Care, End of Life Care, Complex Care (including Continuing Healthcare) and many other services across the large footprint of the ICB.

Having qualified as a Dispensing Optician in 2006 and then a Contact Lens Optician in 2008 Steve has spent his career in retail optics. In 2014 he became a Director of a Milton Keynes Optical and Audiology business which has since expanded into Newport Pagnell. His knowledge of running these businesses, which combines retail and healthcare, is used to primarily support the Hospice business development team as well as the wider Hospice leadership.

Steve has been involved with Willen Hospice since 2017 after being inspired by the inspirational work and care that is given to the local community. Outside of work Steve is a keen tennis player and loves to travel.

Mark has lived in the Broughton & Brooklands areas of Milton Keynes for nearly 14 years. He has been a career firefighter and recently retired following nearly 40 years in various emergency management roles including being Chief Fire Officer of Bucks and Milton Keynes, South Australia and Northamptonshire. He has been globally influential in Fire Policy development and has served on, and chaired, some global level committees, often serving as a national representative. He has also served in London Ambulance Service as its head of Emergency Planning.

Mark has undertaken a wide range of studies, including: Masters Degree in Management, Qualifications in Incident Command, Emergency Management and Planning, Risk Management, Business Continuity, Project and Programme Management. He also holds several qualifications in Health and Safety management. He gained experience undertaking audits and inspections of public sector bodies with Her Majesty’s Inspectorate from 2001-2003.

A lifelong supporter of the UK’s national Firefighter’s Charity, he served at all levels from front end home visitor to fund raiser, regional representative, Trustee and, eventually, as Deputy Chairman. Most recently in Australia, he served on the Board of the CFS Foundation Charity in South Australia until late 2022.

Mark has a particular interest in Volunteer support and management.

Tony became a member of the Board of Trustees in February 2024. He holds the position of Associate Director of Estates at Milton Keynes University Hospital and brings with him extensive knowledge in Healthcare Facilities Management.

His expertise spans across various areas, including Capital Projects, Security, Clinical Engineering, and Estates Maintenance. Tony has been a strong advocate for NHS Netzero targets and is actively leading the hospital’s efforts in decarbonisation. This includes implementing initiatives such as Solar panels, EV charging infrastructure, and ambitious plans to eliminate all gas fired boiler plant.

Throughout his career, Tony has held senior roles in both the private and public sectors, primarily focusing on property, service, and compliance. He lives in Milton Keynes with his wife, children, and their dog, Poppy.

Charles is a chartered surveyor and property expert, since moving to Milton Keynes form the north west in the mid 90’s and has held a number of senior positions in both the private and public sectors becoming a Group Partner of Bidwells, and subsequently CEO of Milton Keynes Development Partnership.

Charles is an experienced non-exec and most notably has been a Trustee of Bletchley Park, the once top-secret home of the World War Two Codebreakers since September 2017.

Married with twin daughters Charles lives locally, is a keen golfer, cook and reluctant gardener.