Meet the team

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.

Louise Haughton , Hospice Trustee

Louise has worked in healthcare for over 3 decades and has a wealth of knowledge and experience in leadership, strategic thinking, communication, and project management. Louise has experience of the fundraising challenges that the Hospices faces, having volunteered for a not-for-profit social enterprise called Advent for Change and the local Scout group.

Dr Jenny Mallon , Hospice Trustee

Jenny has been a respected GP in Knutsford for many years. As well as being a partner at the surgery, Jenny had responsibility for Clinical Governance and managerial and financial aspects of the practice.  Working for Eastern Cheshire CCG as Clinical Lead and a Governing Body member provided Jenny with the opportunity to learn a completely different skill set which she will bring to the Board

Dr Jonathan Beck , Hospice Trustee

Jon returns to the East Cheshire Hospice Board after a two year break, having served nine years as a Hospice Trustee Director. Jon brings governance and strategy management to the Board. during his previous term of office at the Hospice, Jon was involved in the strategy development which led to the implementation of Hospice @Home.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Karen Waters , 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.

Ian Williams , Hospice Trustee

Ian brings a wealth of business and retail knowledge to the Board, especially around staff welfare and customer experience. Ian has held many senior roles and has an expansive knowledge at Director level.