Sir Tim Jenner

Chair

Sir Tim Jenner joined the Royal Air Force and served as an operational helicopter pilot in the UK, Germany, Middle East and Belize for 20 years before progressing to a number of staff appointments. His last post was Chief of Staff at RAF Strike Command. On retirement he joined Serco Group and was the Chair of the Defence and Aerospace Division. He left Serco in 2011 and became a trustee of Thames Valley Air Ambulance, which he chaired for eight years.

Sir Tim joined Katharine House as a trustee in April 2019, wanting to make a contribution to this vital charity at a time of significant challenge for hospices in the UK.

He says, 'Katharine House provides an absolutely crucial service to the local community and the demand is growing. I am proud to have joined a dedicated and highly professional team that is constantly striving to enhance the outstanding care it provides.

Lindsey Bowser

Lindsey has spent the last 27 years working with a global professional services firm and is Talent Leader for their Europe, Middle East, India and Africa (EMEIA) strategy and transactions business. Her experience covers all aspects of human resources strategy and operations with a strong focus on change management and understanding the talent implications and needs of a complex and dynamic people-centred business.

Lindsey joined as a Trustee in March 2019 and is also a regular ward clerk volunteer in the inpatient unit. She also has a passion for fundraising for the hospice.

She says, ‘For a number of years my husband Quentin and I regularly participated in fundraising for the hospice at our local village pub. Then Quentin was diagnosed with bowel cancer at the age of 49 and in his last months and weeks received exceptional care, initially from the Community Nursing team and then within the inpatient unit. The care was absolutely exceptional as was the support to our family.  

‘What was also so important - and valued - were the seemingly little things, such as being able to bring our dog in to visit him every day where we could sit outside in the beautiful garden with Baxter at his feet. It is such a positive and tranquil environment, which also affords moments of genuine laughter and joy, and that is an absolute gift to both patients and their families. It’s a privilege to be a trustee at this incredibly special hospice and to get to know through volunteering the wonderful individuals who make Katharine House the exceptional place it is.’

Geraldine Burke

Geraldine has enjoyed a clinical career in the NHS, working in several London hospitals as a nurse, senior manager and executive director. She specialised in surgery, oncology and palliative care, initiating new and patient-focused services. Geraldine worked with NHS commissioners to integrate and merge hospitals and community services, all requiring change management and financial accountability.

Geraldine has worked for the Care Quality Commission as a specialist advisor, inspecting end of life care across the country. She has also been a hospice trustee in Hertfordshire for six years and, since 2017, as a clinical trustee for Katharine House Hospice.

Geraldine says: 'Having worked in many settings, initiating, designing and providing palliative care for patients and those close to them, I believe there is still much to be done to make the speciality accessible to all and to further meet the individual needs of those people and families at a most vulnerable time of their life.

'It is vital that hospices survive during international financial crisis and never more do we need the support of local communities to give financial donations, help to fundraise and volunteer to work with us. I look forward to working in partnership with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) to continue to improve and develop palliative care for the people of Oxfordshire.'

Claire Dobbs

Claire is Chief Executive of a group of healthcare agencies that specialise in global brand strategy and development, including medical education and medical communication. She has a wealth of experience in the international pharmaceutical and health arena having held senior marketing positions within the pharmaceutical industry. She has a passion for brand building and  developing effective brand communication plans.

She is an Associate Member of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) and has a strong interest in building effective teams and personnel development. She is a keen equestrian and yoga teacher and runs her own company providing training across both disciplines. 

Richard Jones

Richard has worked all his working life in the wine trade. He started his career at Saccone and Speed and spent ten years there in various marketing and sales roles. For the last 27 years he has been managing director of Reh Kendermann UK, the largest supplier of German wines in the UK. Richard is also Chairman of both his 170-year-old family business SH Jones Wines, based in Banbury and Yapp Brother in Mere.

The Jones family moved back to the Banbury area 27 years ago to bring up their three children. Richard and his family have been involved with fundraising for Katharine House for 20 years. The family has benefitted periodically from the extraordinary care and help from the hospice over the last eight years since his wife contracted breast cancer.

He says, 'Katharine House is an amazing organisation and we as a community are incredibly lucky to have this support during our darkest moments. It is vital that we continue to support the hospice and I hope I may be able to contribute to the future of Katharine House ensuring that we continue to offer this wonderful gift in the years to come.'

Sam Shadbolt

Sam is a solicitor with eight years post-qualification experience in a mix of private practice and in-house roles. He is the UK&I Head of Legal with a global manufacturer of paints and coatings, having previously worked in legal roles within the technology sector and, before that, with a leading UK law firm.

Living near and growing up close to Katharine House, it has been ever-present in Sam’s mind as the local charity of choice. Following the global pandemic, and after reflecting on how best to give something back, the legal trustee role allows Sam to contribute to the charity both his legal experience and commercial skills within a large organisation focused on improvement and growth.

Sam says, ‘The work that the charity does is renowned locally and is greatly valued by friends and family in the local area. I am delighted to be involved in some of the inner workings and support the opportunities available to the charity.’

Anne Tutt

Anne Tutt is a Non-Executive Director who has worked across the private, public, charity and NHS sectors. Prior to this she was a Finance Director and Managing Director in the private sector. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant (FCA) and has operated at Board level for more than 30 years.

She was Vice Chair and Senior Independent Director at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) until November 2023 and her current portfolio includes being Treasurer at Swansea University, Action Aid UK and Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Anne joined the Board of Katharine House Hospice in March 2024 and had recently worked with the hospice as the partnership developed with the OUH.

Anne says: 'I live locally and have always valued Katharine House Hospice as a treasured part of the local community. Many of my family and friends have received exceptional care in the hospice. Since the death of my husband from pancreatic cancer, I have wanted to contribute to the development of end-of-life care in Oxfordshire.'

Ben Walmsley

Ben is Chief Technology Officer for a pharmaceutical manufacturer that specialises in enhancing medicines to make them more acceptable to patients, or to treat underserved segments. He has a wealth of global experience managing technology and information services in multiple industries.

Both of Ben’s parents passed away under the care of their local hospice after developing brain tumours and the care they received made a profound impact on him. Having recently moved to Oxfordshire, Ben was keen to join Katharine House to help the hospice use technology in pursuit of its fundraising goals.

Ben says: 'Hospices are amazing places. Far from being scary or depressing, there is a tranquility and grateful acquiescence from knowing your loved one is getting the best possible care from amazingly kind and talented people. Nobody wants to need a hospice, but when you do it's essential they are there. I’m delighted to support our amazing volunteers in making our services available to the whole community.'

David Whittingham

David has more than 15 years of experience of senior leadership roles in the not-for-profit sector. His specialisms include change management, charitable governance, risk management and income generation. He is also the Chair of the Oxford Sports Council and Oxford Hockey Club.

David is a passionate advocate for social justice and equity of access and opportunity. His career has been focused on addressing the structural inequalities that affect disadvantaged communities in the UK.

David says: 'I am delighted to be appointed as a trustee of Katharine House Hospice. My father died some years ago after a relatively short period of illness. He was able to die with dignity at home as a result of the care and support he received from the palliative care team. I hope that my skills and experience will support the charity’s vital role in the provision of exceptional end-of-life care.'