“Having worked as a family doctor for 30 years in Plymouth, I know St Luke’s plays an invaluable role in caring for people at the end of life. The holistic care and support given extends across the community, reaching people at home, in hospital and at the specialist unit at Turnchapel. This means the majority of patients are able to spend their final days in the comfort of their own homes, with loved ones – which I think most of us would wish to do.

It is a real privilege to be a patron of this much-loved local charity.”

“When I was asked to be a patron of St Luke’s, I had no hesitation in accepting. My cousin is one of their home nurses, so I know what a difference they make across Plymouth, where I was born, and the surrounding areas. I’m also aware of the charity’s trial project whereby veterans support other veterans towards the end of their lives, and that’s something I have a close affiliation with. I know that when a family loses a loved one, it can be a very emotional and traumatic time – my own family faced real challenges when I was injured, and I was fortunate enough to pull through.

“The more support you have around you during those times, the better. That’s why I wanted to get involved and do what I can to help promote the great work they do.”

Mark Ormrod is an internationally acclaimed motivational speaker, a peak performance coach, and the author of the award winning auto-biography Man Down. He is a source of daily inspiration for the thousands of people. As well as a peak performance coach he is a mentor and a role model to other amputees and an ambassador for the Royal Marines Association.

Mark is passionate about his community and has kindly become a Patron of St Luke’s Hospice Plymouth, to fully support our End of Life Military Compassion project, where we utilise St Luke’s as a specialist end of life care service, to improve the engagement, access and quality of care for current/former military personnel in the last months/days of their life and help develop a compassionate support network for both patients and families within existing military communities. Last year alone, we cared for over 80 military families. He aims to influence a future with St Luke’s being there.

To find out more, click here.

Christina started out her career as a nurse at St Bartholomew’s Hospital in London. Christina went on to specialise as a cardiac intensive care nurse, working first at University Hospitals of Leicester NHS Trust and then on to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. Christina first demonstrated an ability to lead through clinical development at the JR Hospital, being instrumental in setting up what was then ground breaking practice in cardiac recovery, which has since become a standard technique in recovering post-operative cardiac patients.

Christina obtained her first degree in Social Policy and Administration, subsequently, becoming a researcher at the University of Wales Medical School. Here, she focused on the impact of staff competence on the outcomes of diabetic care, which became the catalyst for her career path.

Her passion for education, leadership and organisational development led to a variety of roles whilst working at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust. Christina was focused on organisational development, leadership and workforce transformation throughout her time in Plymouth.

A forward thinking, innovative and committed leader, Christina feels privileged to be Director of the NHS South West Leadership Academy, working alongside her dedicated colleagues. Currently leading nationally on two of the eight leadership collective work streams; clinical and patient leadership. Christina is passionate about leadership development in the South West.

Mark is a commercial banker with 35 years experience, the last 15 of which have been spent in Plymouth. Aware of the work that is undertaken through St Luke’s, Mark says he jumped at the chance to become involved feeling it was an opportunity to ‘put something back’ into our community.

His banking and commercial network and experience enables him to promote the work that is undertaken by St Luke’s throughout the city as well as helping to ensure the financial stability of St Luke’s continues. He says he is immensely proud of the work that St Luke’s undertakes and feels honoured to be a part of this organisation.

Fiona has 38 years of experience in the health and social care sector as a provider and commissioner. Her specialisms include; older people services, safeguarding and integration. She is also the Independent Chair of the Safeguarding Adults Board for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.

Fiona brings a wealth of experience in health and social care to St Luke’s, including a high level of safeguarding expertise and knowledge of strategic work.  She has been an executive director in the NHS for 15 years and has been a Trustee of Cheshire Young Carers.

Mike has over 35 years senior financial management experience in large industrial organisations; most recently as a board member of the UK division of a leading European aerospace manufacturer. He is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and his professional interests include, strategy, financial planning and evaluation. Having started his career in Plymouth Mike returned to Devon in 2016.

With a long career in nursing, mostly as an intensive care nurse and/or nurse manager, Julie has supported patients and families at the bedside in Plymouth, London and California.

Working at Plymouth Hospitals NHS Trust, she was one of the first Nurse Consultants nationally, and as Director of Nursing and Midwifery she was jointly accountable for all aspects of nursing and midwifery care in the Trust. Following this, in 2009 she joined the executive team that turned around the then severely failing Mid Staffordshire NHS Trust, seeing it become a top 20 per cent performer nationally for patient experience against all 96 standards, and with 98 per cent of patients likely to recommend its care.

Now retired from the NHS, Julie has given several national and local presentations on the learning from the failings at Mid Staffordshire and has helped with various leadership events for the Royal College of Nursing and NHS England.

Charles is Chief Executive for Mayflower 400 and Destination Plymouth, having moved to Plymouth at the start of 2017 to fulfill a life plan to live in Devon near the sea and moors. Prior to joining Mayflower 400, Charles spent 17 years at GlaxoSmithKline in a wide range of international and national roles, working across major global markets and at different times based in different European countries. His final role at GSK was leading the international development, supply and marketing of a major new respiratory medicine. Charles is enthusiastic about outdoor activities such as hiking, sailing and wild swimming.

Martin became a Consultant in Intensive Care Medicine and Anaesthesia at Derriford Hospital, Plymouth in1994 after training in London, Dallas and Oxford. He had to retire in 2012 due to serious ill health, but now wishes to contribute to the wider community of the Plymouth area as a Trustee. His NHS position involved leading a multidisciplinary clinical team and working in a close-knit team. He had various local, regional and national management and advisory roles.

Steven is a professional and compassionate leader with extensive experience in commercial contracting, procurement management and the delivery of major capital projects. He has a diverse background gained most recently within health care at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, but previously within marine engineering and quality assurance sectors.  He is an active listener and great communicator and enjoys interacting with all members of the organisation.

Nikki has recently retired after over 40 years as a specialist Employment Law Solicitor, working first in London, and then as a partner in two south west commercial law firms. In recent years Nikki has coordinated all legal services to a Hospice, and advised a further Hospice, as well as a range of other Health Sector clients. As such, Nikki is able to bring relevant legal experience to complement the St Lukes’ Board.

Nikki has always been passionate about training up the next generation of lawyers. She spent several years on the Management Committee of the Employment Lawyers Association, which represents both barristers and solicitors, including time as its national Training Coordinator. This give Nikki the opportunity to help the Association provide excellent training and development for lawyers working in the developing Employment Law field of practice. These national roles, and her time on the Law Society Council, also gave opportunities, working with various Government departments, to input to the development of new Law, and to the professional standards needed to best serve the public. Again she hopes skills learnt may be helpful to St Lukes’ Board.

Nikki shares the ethos of St Lukes’, and is proud to be associated with such a valued local charity.

James currently works as a civil servant, heading up the contract management function within HMNB Devonport. He has a strong project and programme management background and has recently helped lead the procurement of a new Naval Base Services contract for HMNB Devonport. This experience has equipped James with a strong background in commercial contracts and transformation/change management skills which he hopes will benefit him in his role as Trustee. James is also a workplace representative for GMB Union and regularly provides advice and guidance for members on a range of areas such as pay, remuneration, and employment law. Prior to taking his role as contract manager in Devonport, James worked as a Senior Project Manager for a number of other Government organisations in Bristol, mainly focussed on defence procurement and early careers development schemes where he has mentored and coached many new graduates and apprentices.

James was born and raised in Plymouth, where he attended school at Devonport High School for Boys before completing his BSc (Hons) Business Management degree with the University of Plymouth. James has always been appreciative of the brilliant care that St Luke’s provide throughout the community, so is both honoured and excited to start his new role as Trustee.

Jack was a born and bred in Plymouth, attending Devonport High School for Boys through his teenage years before commencing a BSc (Hons) Business Management undergraduate degree with the University of Plymouth. Following this, Jack was fortunate in gaining a place on the NHS Graduate Management Training Scheme (GMTS) despite a competitive recruitment process which saw him participate against 16,000 other applicants across the UK. This fast-track leadership programme saw Jack complete several placements across the Devon healthcare system, including University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust (UHP) and Devon CCG, gaining extensive competence in a variety of disciplines such as HR, Leadership and Project Management. Jack later returned to UHP as Medical HR Manager before joining Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust (RCHT) in his current role as People & Organisational Development Partner, acting as the lead specialist within the Urgent, Emergency & Trauma Care Group for all People, Employee Relations, Recruitment, Learning and Development and Organisational Development activity.

Jack hopes his passion and expertise within health and social care will be of value

I joined St Luke’s in 2004, having previously worked for various corporate manufacturing organisations. Since joining St Luke’s I have completed an MA in Hospice Leadership. I feel proud to work with people who have a real passion and dedication in delivering great patient care. My hobbies include cycling, running and cryptic crosswords. In my youth I had football trials for Notts County and Northampton Town, fortunately I did not succeed!

I joined St Luke’s in October 2001 as a clinical nurse specialist in the community and took on the role of director in 2005, having previously worked in the field of palliative care/oncology since 1991. During my many years of working within palliative care, the one thing I have come to realise is that the most important thing we can provide to our patients and their carers is time and someone willing to listen. My hobbies include a passion for cooking, watching rugby (particularly when my son is playing) and camping with my family.

I joined St Luke’s in 2015 having spent 15 years in retail with Marks and Spencer and 15 years in leisure with Virgin and then charitable trusts in Northumberland and Scotland. I am here to bring in the money to support the outstanding end of life care that we deliver, while working to our core values. I have a passion for cinema and gardening and that takes up most of my spare time. As a lifelong Newcastle fan I’m experienced in managing ups and downs. Okay, not that many ups.

I joined St Luke’s in February 2018, having previously worked for the University of Plymouth Students’ Union and Plymouth City Council (PCC).

I undertook my professional accountancy training with PCC, qualifying as a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA), and alongside a number of finance roles my work included the set-up and transfer of council houses to Plymouth Community Homes, and the transfer of Plymouth’s schools to Academy status.

I’m proud to be using my skills to support the wonderful work of St Luke’s. Spending time with my family and coastal walking are always on my weekend list!