Hospice Trustees
The Board of Trustees is made up entirely from volunteers and is responsible for the governance of the Hospice.
The Full Board of Trustees meets six times a year. There are also subgroups, each chaired by a Trustee with the appropriate area of expertise, covering all aspects of the Hospice i.e. Estates, Human Resources, Clinical Assurance, Finance, Income Generation and Digital & Technology.
IAN CRAIG
CHAIR
Although Ian is a proud Aberdonian, he has lived in Merseyside since 2000, is a season ticket holder at Everton and has most recently been a Director at Nationwide Building Society.
Ian has previously held executive roles at both Barclays and Bank of America leading large operational and technology functions, both in the UK and internationally.
Having seen his father die when he was young and how little palliative care support was available for families at that time, Ian is keen to support Willowbrook and is passionate about the work that they do.
ALAN CHICK
CHAIR OF ESTATES SUB GROUP
The former Chief Executive of the YMCA in St Helens, Alan has been a trustee for the Hospice for a number of years and became the Chairman 4 years ago.
His leadership of the YMCA when building new facilities has also proved invaluable experience for his current leadership of the Estates trustee sub-group of the Board of Trustees.
Alan is committed to leading his fellow trustees, ensuring that Willowbrook remains in good shape as a Hospice fit for the 21st Century.
DR KAREN BEEBY
TRUSTEE
ELAINE INGLESBY CBE
TRUSTEE
Elaine has a strong track record in professional nursing and operational management and has held Executive Nurse positions since 1996 in specialist and large acute Trusts.
DR MICHAEL VAN DESSEL
CHAIRPERSON OF THE CLINICAL ASSURANCE SUB GROUP
A local GP whose clinical primary care knowledge is invaluable in guiding the Hospice’s strategy to meet the true needs of our patients.
Michael is the current chair of the Clinical Assurance sub-group of the Board of Trustees.
SARAH CARBERRY
TRUSTEE
Since commencing her clinical career, gaining significant experience in nursing, Sarah then moved into operational management.
Sarah is currently a highly experienced commissioner for urgent care services with key experienced gained across North West England. P
Previously, Sarah also held the post of commissioner for end of life care within the Knowsley Clinical Commissioning Group.
STEPHEN FAIRHURST
CHAIRPERSON OF THE DIGITAL AND TECHNOLOGY SUB GROUP
Steve is the current Managing Director of The Branded Items Group and Regenic Ltd, two companies that operate in the marketing and promotions sector that are based in St Helens.
With over 20 years’ experience running companies, Steve has a strong background in marketing, sales and communications having consulted with companies in the UK, USA and Far East.
Steve hopes to bring his commercial and marketing experience to contribute to Willowbrook business and income streams.
JON DOBSON
CHAIRPERSON OF THE HR SUB GROUP
Jon has 35+ years’ experience of working in HR in the NHS, gained at St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals (20+yrs) and Salford Royal/Northern Care Alliance (15yrs) dealing with a broad range of HR issues including organisational change, workforce transformation, partnership working, and promoting health and well-being.
In his most recent role as Associate Director of Workforce within the Northern Care Alliance, he played a key part in driving service transformation and cost improvement plans, advising Directors and service leads.
Christine Buckley
CHAIRPERSON OF INCOME STEERING SUB GROUP
Dr Alan Baron
CHAIR OF FINANCE SUB GROUP
INTERIM CHAIR OF INCOME STEERING SUB GROUP
As the former Chief Executive of Wigan and Leigh Hospice, Alan is passionate about high quality, person-centred palliative and end of life care.
He represented North West Hospices on the Advisory Council of Hospice UK, the national representative body for hospices and was involved in several committees seeking to influence government in their support of local hospices.
Alan gained a PhD studying the culture, identity and image of local hospices subsequently publishing a book on the subject. Prior to working in the hospice world, Alan was a finance and general manager in a number of small to medium sized businesses and financial institutions.
Allan Sansbury
TRUSTEE
Allan is a retired qualified Accountant who started his career in the private sector working for an international firm of Chartered Accountants. He also has 35 years of experience in the NHS including senior positions at St Helens and Knowsley Hospitals, NW Strategic Health Authority and in later years Health Education England.
During this time he has dealt with the full range issues linked to the audit and management of financial resources as well as organisational change and workforce transformation.
Having seen the benefits his father received from hospice care in the past he is committed to contributing all his experience and knowledge to Willowbrook into the future.
Gary Ward
TRUSTEE
Gary began his career in recruitment in 2004, which enabled him to progress into management roles, and since 2009 he has been in operational roles within the recruitment industry.
Gary is the Managing Director of a recruitment business based in St Helens and is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the business. In this role, Gary has led-functional multi-disciplinary teams of professionals, while also delivering process and performance improvements.
Gary is passionate about people and improving and modernising company cultures, helping to shift from traditional to more inclusive and value-based cultures.
For the last two years, Gary has supported Willowbrook through various fund-raising activities, most notably Rock and Roll Bingo Nights which he loves hosting and providing entertaining evenings for our supporters.
Christine Martin
TRUSTEE
Christine retired as a judge in 2022, and has lived in Rainford for nearly 40 years.
Christine is very familiar with the good work of the hospice, particularly as her daughter volunteered to work there as part of her Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award.
Christine is keen to be involved in the important service the hospice has to offer and is delighted to be appointed as a trustee and to become a part of the Willowbrook family as it continues to serve those who are in need of the vital support it has to offer.
