Karen has been a practicing GP in Colchester for more than 20 years where she developed an interest in end of life care. She joined St Helena in 2015 as clinical director before taking on the role of deputy CEO from 2019 - 2020. She was appointed as chief clinical officer in 2023. 

Karen became the North East Essex Health and Wellbeing Alliance lead for end of life care in 2018 and the clinical lead in end of life care for the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System in January 2022. Karen continues to work as a GP.

Kate joined St Helena in 2019, initially as a trustee and treasurer, before joining the senior leadership team in 2022. 

Kate is a Chartered Accountant, beginning her career at PWC and Deloitte, before moving into the commercial property industry where she also attained her MBA. Prior to joining St Helena, Kate spent 12 years building a successful management consultancy, specialising in supporting businesses with their ESG and growth strategies.

Emma has been a doctor for just over 20 years and worked in a range of medical specialties before pursuing her passion for palliative care.

Emma was a consultant at St Helena for four years before taking on the role of medical director in 2020. Her clinical role, supporting patients and families, both at the hospice and in the community, informs her leadership role.

Alison’s professional journey has been shaped by a commitment to end of life care. She has worked in this specialty since 2002, starting as a Macmillan Nurse in a local hospital, followed by a variety of roles across acute hospital services, local charities and hospice settings. Roles have included Clinical Nurse Specialist, Locality Manager and most recently, Head of Nursing, Clinical Quality and Registered Manager at another local hospice.

Each role has strengthened Alison’s belief in the importance of holistic, compassionate care for patients and their families. She is passionate about ensuring that care is not only clinically excellent, but also emotionally and spiritually supportive too.

Joining St Helena in 2025 felt like the natural next step, and Alison is proud to support the dedicated teams here as we continue to deliver vital care to our community.

Mandy joined St Helena in 2022, bringing more than 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector. A Chartered Management Accountant, she has spent her career supporting organisations with a strong social purpose, helping ensure that good financial management underpins meaningful impact.

She has always been drawn to roles where her skills can contribute to something bigger than the numbers, championing transparency and accessibility in financial information to support a culture of accuracy, financial stability and informed decision making.

She sees it a privilege to be part of the St Helena team, an organisation that plays such an important role at the heart of the community.

David, a partner in a property consultancy, was elected to our Board of Trustees in 2011.

Fran lectures and researches in not for profit marketing. She joined the Board of Trustees in September 2019.

Jo is a Registered Nurse with 36 years experience of working in cancer and palliative care across the NHS and Hospice sector.

Joanna is a Business Change Consultant passionate about people being at the heart of change within organisations. She joined the Board of Trustees in August 2024. 

Ken chairs our Patient and Family Services Committee and our Service User Group.

Kevin joined the Board of Trustees in August 2024 following company directorship within the construction sector. 

Richard joined the Board in March 2023 after a career in finance and business management.

Tim is a senior associate solicitor who joined the board in January 2022.

Angel is a local business owner who operates in the care sector, owning a domiciliary care company, day centre for those living with Dementia and meals on wheels CIC. Angel is also the Co-Vice chair of a local Care Association - advocating for other care providers. Angel is passionate about high quality care.