Mark became Chief Executive of St Helena in 2013. He is active in national work to improve end of life care.

His previous experience includes several years as a senior manager in the NHS and 10 years in HM Prison Service. 

Mark is married with two children. He enjoys cooking, is a keen runner, and loves country walks with his golden retriever Yoshimi.

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 in Rowhedge Surgery where she is the clinical lead GP for two care homes.

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

She is a chartered accountant, beginning her career at PWC and Deloitte, before moving into the commercial property industry. Kate has spent the last 12 years building a successful management consultancy, specialising in supporting businesses with their CSR and growth strategies. Throughout this time, Kate has also provided pro-bono advice and support to numerous charities looking to create more sustainable operations. 

Kate is married and in her free time enjoys cycling, kayaking, long walks and good country pubs. She is also 'mum' to Alfie, the cutest but most demanding Siberian cat. 

Gemma joined St Helena in 2019 managing the lottery team, and joined the senior leadership team in 2022. Gemma is responsible for all of St Helena's income generation teams, including retail, lottery, fundraising, Radfield Home Care in support of St Helena and any new income streams.

Prior to her role at St Helena, Gemma spent 20 years in various operational and commercial management roles in the hospitality and retail sectors.

Gemma is married with two children. She enjoys going to the gym and spending time with her family.

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.

Emma is married with two boys and, being outnumbered, is learning to love football.

I am a Registered Nurse with over 40 years of experience, having worked in education, community health, palliative care, and end-of-life care. Until December 2022, I served as the UK Professional Lead for Community and End of Life Care at the Royal College of Nursing. Before that, I was the Lead Nurse for Palliative and End of Life Care at Barts Health.

Currently, I work independently in various roles, including as an honorary lecturer at City University, an independent trainer, a funeral celebrant, a local district councillor, and a Soul Midwife/companion for the dying. I have a strong interest in advocacy, supporting individuals to achieve the end-of-life care they want.

I am also passionate about both local and national politics. My role as a local district councillor for the St Barts ward in Tendring is both challenging and rewarding, as I navigate the complexities of life and the impact our environment has on residents. I firmly believe in the concept of compassionate communities and feel that if we support one another with kindness and care, it positively affects our physical and mental health.

Additionally, I am a governor at a primary school serving one of the most deprived communities in the UK. In my leisure time, I share my life with my husband, Sonny, our three adult children, two grandchildren, and two energetic dogs in the Essex countryside.

Catherine is Regional Chief Nurse - East of England and has more than 25 years' experience within the NHS.

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. 

Nigel, a professor of business and management, was elected to our Board in 2018

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.