Meet Our Team

Sue Piper

Director of Income Generation

Sue is a fundraising professional and strategic leader within the charity sector with 25 years’ non-profit experience in both charities in the UK and internationally. With a broad range of skills, experiences and a track record of success across income generation and marketing, Sue is purpose driven in helping to create a positive impact in society. With a real passion for the hospice sector, landing her dream role at ellenor Sue is committed to contributing to their future success.

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Liam Stone

Director of Operations

Liam Stone is ellenor’s Director of Operations, responsible for leading the strategic and day-to-day management of the charity’s retail, facilities, and operational services. With a strong background in senior leadership and a passion for making a tangible difference, Liam plays a key role in ensuring ellenor runs efficiently, sustainably, and with the highest standards of care and integrity.

Since joining ellenor, Liam has driven improvements across the organisation’s retail and operational functions, helping to increase income, improve processes, and create welcoming spaces that reflect the compassion and professionalism of the care we provide.

Liam is deeply committed to community engagement and sustainability, and he works closely with staff, volunteers, and supporters to ensure ellenor continues to meet the needs of local families facing life-limiting illness.

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Peter Young

Director of Finance & Resource

Peter Young leads on the Finance, IT and HR of the charity. He also oversees governance and compliance. Peter has 14 years experience in the not-for-profit sector and more than 20 years experience in senior management in both not-for-profit and commercial sectors.

He started his career in the Chemical Industry, managing manufacturing in South Wales. He then moved into the education sector where he managed non-educational departments in both the state and private sectors. He was involved in the start up of a Free School and where it grew from a small enterprise to a large organisation with three schools.

He has a degree in Chemical Engineering from Birmingham University, an MBA from Manchester University and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Corporate Governance.

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Mary Kirk

Interim Director of Care and Quality

Mary is a highly experienced Registered Nurse who has dedicated her career to providing exceptional care within the NHS. She has specialised in End of Life and Cardiac Care, ensuring that patients receive the best possible support during critical times.

Mary is also passionate about education. She has taught advanced practice skills, prescribing, and essential nursing best practices to healthcare professionals, helping to improve the quality of care delivered.
In addition to her clinical and educational roles, Mary has worked as an inspector for the Care Quality Commission, ensuring that healthcare services meet the highest standards.

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Mac Cheema MSc BEng

Chair

Mac Cheema currently leads a real estate organisation in the UK, an internationally experienced business executive with progressive supply chain and procurement experience. Mac has over 30 years of experience with large global organisations at the executive level in property, automotive, aerospace, and medical devices. Founding member and Chair of Kent Licensed Victuallers Association (KLVA) and Past Chairman of Gravesham LVA. Mac became Chair of Trustees at ellenor hospice in December 2022.

Manjit Atwal

Trustee

A Chartered IT Professional with over 35 years’ experience within finance and insurance, delivering large-scale Global IT Service Management, Change Management, Regulatory Risk, and process transitions. Served as Chairman of the National Khalsa Football Federation working closely with The FA promoting Asian participation in football at all levels across the UK.

Manager of the first Asian Women’s football team across the UK at Guru Nanak FC in Kent. Also a serving Magistrate in the North Kent area with over 30 years experience and most importantly ellenor trustee since 2022.

Karen Griffiths

Trustee

Karen Griffiths has recently retired after working as an advanced nurse practitioner in primary care after working in the NHS for 45yrs. She has been involved with the hospice for many years and has volunteered as a reflexologist before becoming a trustee.

She is a keen fencer and is involved in running Bexley Fencing Club.

Vanessa Jeans

Trustee

Vanessa is Dartford born and bred. Working as a biology and chemistry teacher at Dartford Girls Grammar School before retraining as a medical doctor, she has worked at Gravesend North Kent, Joyce Green, The Brook, Greenwich District and Stone House hospitals, before becoming a GP partner at The Orchard Practice, West Hill, Dartford in 1991. As part of that practice, for several years, she helped provide medical cover for in-patient care at ellenor.

After retiring in 2007 she started hosting annual ellenor Open Garden events and remains actively involved. She is also a long-standing member of the charitable organisation Dartford u3a.

Vanessa joined ellenor’s Board of Trustees in November 2022 and is a member of ellenor’s Care and People Committee.

Duncan Holt

Trustee

Duncan owns a local marketing company, having worked for Australia and New Zealand Bank as an FX trader for over 30 years. He is also currently a non-executive director of a Pension fund in Canary Wharf.

Duncan has a keen interest in local sport and was chairman and a director of Ebbsfleet United FC as well as a volunteer for Medway Street Angels for almost 5 years as part of the Wednesday night Soup Kitchen team.

Duncan joined ellenor’s Board of Trustees in November 2023 and sits on the Finance and Investment Committee and the People Committee.

Nicky Baker

Trustee

Nicky qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1996. During the early stages of her nursing career, she worked within Coronary Care and Intensive Care. In 2002, an opportunity arose which enabled her to work on a Government-led NHS modernisation project. Since then, she has continued to work within the field of Quality improvement. From 2020 to the present day, she has worked as Governance Lead for a large Kent-based charity.

Nicky previously volunteered for the Hospice between 1992 and 1993. In recent years she has volunteered for a local charity providing mentoring and support to vulnerable young people.

Nicky is committed to ensuring that quality improvement is embedded within practice and that the highest standards of care are delivered.

Nicky is currently Chair of the Ellenor Care Committee

Trishantha Sampathawaduge

Trustee

Trishantha Sampathawaduge is a finance and business specialist with over a decade of international experience spanning the charity, mining, construction, and financial services sectors. A Chartered Professional Manager with postgraduate qualifications from Cardiff Metropolitan University and the University of Kelaniya, he has led financial operations and strategic development across the UK, Africa, and South Asia. His expertise includes financial modelling, ERP implementation, and regulatory compliance, with a strong track record in transforming underperforming operations into profitable ventures.

Trishantha is passionate about social impact and operational excellence. He is honoured to serve as a trustee for ellenor, bringing his financial acumen, systems thinking, and commitment to good governance to support the charity’s mission

Lynn Barnett

Trustee

Lynn is an experienced HR professional with over 35 years’ experience working within the financial services sector. Starting her career with Nomura International, before moving on to Deloitte, Citigroup, Close Brothers Group and latterly with C Hoare & Co. Lynn has partnered with senior executives at Board and Executive level on numerous HR initiatives.

She has been a mentor with the 30% Club, promoting women in the workplace; is a volunteer with the Cinnamon Trust, supporting older and terminally ill people with their pets and works as an exam invigilator for a local school.

Lynn has recently joined the Board of Trustees and sits on the People and Care Committees.

Temi Aina

Trustee

I am a law graduate from the University of Kent, Canterbury, with over a decade of experience in the Higher Education sector. I began my career in admissions and have since progressed into senior roles, gaining expertise in quality assurance, regulatory compliance, and governance. I currently advise domestic and international institutions to ensure compliance with both internal policies and external regulatory frameworks.

In 2022, I was awarded an Associate Fellowship by Advance HE in recognition of my commitment to academic excellence and professional development. In 2024, I was part of the internal team that successfully navigated one of the first institutional audits under the Office for Students’ new framework.

Beyond Higher Education, I have been actively involved in social impact initiatives. I served as the principal consultant for the complaint policy within the Strategy and Policy Group at Town and Country Housing Association, where I focused on creating clear, accessible policies for residents. Additionally, I volunteered as a Dignity and Harassment Advisor and acted as a mediator in dispute resolution cases. I am delighted to have joined Ellenor as a trustee and look forward to making a meaningful contribution while continuing to grow both personally and professionally in support of its vital mission.

Stephen Bonner

Trustee

Jen Hobbs

Trustee

Jen is an experienced digital and commercial leader with over 20 years’ experience spanning transformation, product leadership, technology and customer experience strategy across financial services, utilities and other regulated sectors. She has held senior roles at organisations including The AA, Vodafone and British Gas, leading large teams to deliver strategic change and improved customer outcomes.

Alongside her career, Jen has been an active volunteer and mentor, supporting mental health and digital inclusion initiatives. She is passionate about using her skills to support organisations that make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Jen recently joined the Board of Trustees at ellenor and serves on the People and Care Committees.

Alison Hawkins

Trustee

Alison brings a wealth of experience in leadership, communication, and management, alongside a commitment to making a positive impact. With an MBA from Greenwich University, where she focused on Emotional Intelligence in the workplace, she has spent her career helping people and organizations grow, both in the UK and internationally.

She has run a successful management training business, delivering specialist programs across Europe and the Middle East, including initiatives supporting women’s empowerment. Alongside this, Alison is an executive director of her family’s property company.

Passionate about supporting her community, Alison recently joined the Board of Trustees at ellenor and sits on the Finance and Property Committees.