Emma Radley

Chief Executive

Emma joined Katharine House Hospice in May 2023, having previously worked at national child bereavement charity Winston's Wish. She joined Winston's Wish as Director of Fundraising and leaving seven years later as Chief Operating Officer. She considers it an absolute honour to have worked with colleagues over the years to support children and young people from across the UK after the death of someone close to them.

During her career, Emma has also worked for OUH Trust a number of times, most significantly in the fundraising team when the children's hospital was being built – even going on site in a hard hat and high vis vest – and is incredibly proud of the hospital that is so well used today. 

Emma says, "Having used both adult and children's hospices for my family over the years, I am passionate about the life that hospices can bring to patients and families facing the hardest of times.

"I have seen with my own eyes that hospices are a place to live, not just a place to die, and the relief of arriving in one from a hospital setting is palpable. The care and love that can be afforded to patients' families in a hospice setting is so incredibly important and just not possible in the acute setting."

Scott Bloomfield

Head of Retail

Scott has worked in the retail sector for 30 years. He joined Katharine House in 2006 following working for a number of other retailers, including Tesco, where he had worked for 16 years, working his way up to senior management before switching to charity retail.

Scott was born and raised in Banbury and still lives locally. He is married and has two children.

He says: "I wanted to make a difference locally, and with my skill set the role of head of retail was the obvious choice when it became available. Over the years I've seen first hand what excellent care the hospice provides, especially when my father-in-law was cared for by the community team back in 2011. Sadly, over the years, friends and colleagues of mine have also needed the hospice, and I like to think that my retail team and I do our bit to make sure the vital funds are raised."

Jeremy Childerstone

Head of Finance

Jeremy is a member of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, qualifying with KPMG before moving into commercial roles. Most recently he was Finance Director of Cleenol Group Ltd in Banbury for 20 years. Previously, he worked as a business and communications consultant with clients including Ford, Jaguar and Mercedes Benz. He is currently a trustee of a small Buddhist charity, having been the independent examiner for many years.

He says, "I enjoyed my time in the business world, but deeply felt that I should use my skills in a more meaningful setting. My family benefitted hugely from the care my father received at home after he was diagnosed with a brain tumour. That enabled me to spend a lot of time with him in his last days and hours, for which I will always be grateful. To be honest, I jumped at the chance to join Katharine House Hospice – the perfect opportunity."

Jeremy is married with two sons and lives in the cheap seats in Bloxham. He spends most of his spare time in his garden and allotment, or on a bike. He writes poetry and, to relax, he enjoys meditation, qigong and yoga.

Stephanie Lawless

Head of Fundraising

Since 2006 Stephanie has managed teams in Community & Events and then Public Fundraising at Dogs for Good, and before that worked in Regional Fundraising at Diabetes UK. Stephanie has a Master’s degree in Voluntary Sector Management from Bayes Business School (previously Cass) in London, and a Business & Management degree from the University of Bradford. She has been a fundraising Trustee at Brain Tumour Support since June 2017 and is a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

Stephanie says, "Katharine House Hospice is such a special place and the services that we provide to local people during the most difficult of circumstances are so vital. All of the staff here are knowledgeable, passionate and caring, and it’s clear that they make such an immense difference to patients and their loved ones. As such, I am so privileged to lead the fundraising team so we are able to support as many people as we possibly can."

Stephanie is originally from Widnes in Cheshire, and has written two novels about her experiences working within the charity sector. She is an auntie to three nephews and one niece and is much better at winding children up than calming them down.

Karen Welsh

Head of Marketing and Communications

Having started her professional career as a journalist, Karen now has over 20 years experience as a marketing and communications professional, working with national charities such as Barnardo’s, Rotary International in Great Britain and Ireland, National Children’s Home (now known as Action for Children) and the Royal Life Saving Society UK.

Karen joined the hospice in June 2021 and says: "Katharine House is such a wonderful organisation and so respected that I feel honoured to be a part of it. I meet such inspirational people every day - both staff, patients and families - and I’m completely dedicated to ensuring that it carries on serving the community for many years to come."

Born in Wales, Karen studied at the University of Warwick before settling down in Stratford-upon-Avon. She is married with two children and spends most of her free time singing in her local area and walking her dog.

Meet more of the team

We have a series of Q&As with clinical and charity staff in our Meet the Team pages on the website. Find out more about their roles and something about their lives outside of Katharine House Hospice.

Read interviews with some of our staff