Meet the team

Karen Water , Hospice Trustee

Karen brings over 4 decades of experience in health and higher education sectors, including clinical practice, teaching, research, management and administration. Karen has also worked as a Staff Nurse in the Hospice’s Inpatient Unit.

Nicola Sampson , Hospice Trustee

Nicola brings a wealth of experience to the Board with a carer background predominately been in finance, risk, compliance, audit and governance.

Stephen Dickenson , Hospice Trustee

Steve has had a number of commercial management roles in the private sector and is looking forward to supporting the Hospice to deliver on its commitment to bringing the kind of end of life experience that patients and families in our area would want and deserve.

Geraldine Crawford , Hospice Trustee

Geraldine’s career has been in the public sector. She has wide-ranging experience of multi-agency working, service user feedback and inspection processes. Her most recent role was as Senior Lecturer at Manchester Metropolitan University where she was programme leader for the Postgraduate Qualification in Careers Counselling. Geraldine’s involvement with East Cheshire Hospice follows the care and support received from them after the death of a close family member.

Dr Debbie Maxwell , Hospice Trustee and Chair of Patient Care & Clinical Governance committee

Debbie Maxwell worked as a GP locally for over 30 years. Now retired from clinical practice, she continues to be the GP Training Programme Director for East Cheshire. Debbie has had many positive experiences with the Hospice in relation to her family, work as a GP and her role in GP education and is now very pleased to have joined East Cheshire Hospice as a trustee in 2021. Debbie is very keen to support the Hospice using her clinical background and experience in relation to healthcare systems, in addition to her longstanding connections to the local community.

Neil McArthur , Hospice Trustee and Vice Chair and Chair of Finance & Resource committee

A qualified accountant and executive board member of both multinational and high growth SME businesses, operating in general management, finance and strategic planning roles. Having retired from full-time employment, Neil continues to provide advice and hands-on support to management across a range of businesses, focussing on major corporate transactions, financial management and operational improvement.

Neil has previously served 9 years as a senior trustee of a highly respected children’s charity, which provided services at a local and national government level across the UK.

Rob Barrow , Hospice Trustee

Following a career in the software industry Rob Barrow has been a supporter of East Cheshire Hospice for a number of years. Initially in the Income Generation strategy and other more structural areas, Rob was the Chair of Trustees from December 2014 until September 2018.

Jane Stephens , Hospice Trustee and Chair of Nominations & Renumerations Committee

Jane has a wide-ranging background in manufacturing, maintenance and business improvement. Her skills in change management and project management skills have been particularly useful as the Hospice formulated and now moves into the next decade.

Alastair Kennedy , Hospice Trustee

Alastair’s financial background as a chartered accountant meant he was perfect for the role of treasurer. Alastair first became aware of the Hospice when his business partner was taken ill with terminal cancer in 2010 and was impressed with the care him and his family received.

Jim Lovett , Vice Chair of Trustees

Jim’s vast experience in the wider care sector gives him insight into East Cheshire Hospice. This provides him with an opportunity to meet some of the very dedicated staff and volunteers who deliver support and care.

Will Spinks , Chair of Trustees

Will became a member of the Board in August 2016 and took over the Chairmanship in October 2018. Will was previously the Registrar, Secretary and Chief Operating Officer for the University of Manchester. He headed the administration, was involved in strategy, policy and provided advice and guidance to the President and Vice-Chancellor.