Our leadership

Judi was editor of the Weston Mercury for 25 years until she retired in 2014. She became involved with the hospice 25 years ago when Jill Dando, a former reporter on the paper, became patron. Judi became a trustee in 2009 and took over the chair in 2015.

Judi helped launch one of the hospice’s biggest annual fundraisers — the Mercury Mendip Walk — and positioned the paper behind the hospice for many appeals and events including initiating the Ground Force production of Jill’s Garden and inviting Sir Cliff Richard and a host of celebrities to a fundraising evening in the Winter Gardens. She is married, with a son, two step-daughters and six grandchildren.

John is a former Director of Finance at Bristol Water, with extensive experience in a wide variety of organisations. He originally trained to be a research scientist, but that was many years ago. He is married to Janet, with two children and one grandchild and another expected very soon. Most of his spare time is involved with their two dogs and a Morgan.

He has been a trustee since 2009 following the death of a friend at Weston Hospicecare, when he was impressed by the quality of the care provided. His role within the trustees is focused on our financial position — John wants to ensure that when he retires as a trustee, the hospice will have a secure future.

Hilary worked for the NHS for 42 years, having started her nurse training at Kings College Hospital in 1963. Most of her career was in the community as a health visitor.

She has been a trustee for Weston Hospicecare since 2011 and remains fully committed to that role.

Michelle is a qualified commercial lawyer and has been a director of the Grand Pier in Weston-super-Mare since 2008.

Currently an executive member of the board of Visit Somerset, Michelle is also a member of the management committee of The British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions and is regularly involved in lobbying Parliament to improve trading conditions for tourism businesses across the UK.

Michelle has been a Weston Hospicecare trustee since 2010.

Liz has been a trustee since 2017. Prior to this, she served as the hospice’s chief executive.

Liz spent 27 years at KPMG in the corporate restructuring department. During her time at KPMG, she dealt with a number of high-profile corporate restructures, including care home providers, large retailers, manufacturing and property transactions.

In her spare time Liz is a big foodie, enjoying both cooking and eating, and also enjoys long walks in the countryside.

Simon is a chartered surveyor and is the head of agency/development and a partner at Alder King Property Consultants, where he has worked since 1988.

Simon was born in Clevedon and has lived in Weston-super-Mare for the past 17 years. He is married with two daughters and is a keen hockey player.

Simon became a trustee at the beginning of 2018.

I grew up in Kent in the 1950’s after returning from the Far East at the age of two. I was state educated in an old fashioned grammar school and had no idea what to do with my science A-levels. It dawned upon me that a doctor might always find employment, so without any sense of vocation, I made it into a London medical school in the 1970’s.

After graduation, I spent several years working in oncology and other specialities, until I discovered the world of primary care general practice. It led to Weston-super-Mare, where I settled with my wife Debbi, to raise my family and spend the next 40 years as GP. During my early years in Weston-super-Mare, I became involved in the original steering group that led to the establishment of Weston Hospicecare.

I was able to watch the hospice service evolve and extend during my years in practice. Having worked with the community staff during my practice career, I was deeply touched to be invited to join the Board of Trustees shortly after my retirement. I am still following my medical interests, by teaching a new generation of Physician Associate students, on a course that I helped to found at the nearby University of the West of England.

John has been a resident of Weston–super-Mare since 1987 when he was appointed to a post as a consultant anaesthetist at Weston General Hospital. He was a founding member of Weston Hospicecare in 1989 and was closely involved with the organization during its first four years.

Now retired from full-time medical practice, he became a trustee in 2019. Married to Linda, John enjoys a number of pursuits in his spare time including gardening, choral singing, playing tennis and walking in the countryside.

John took early retirement having spent 34 years with one of the large international accounting and business advisory firms. During his time with the firm John gained wide experience including audit, business advisory, management consultancy and restructuring. His last position being a Director in the Advisory Practice.

Prior to retirement, John had been a trustee for 9 years of a nationally renowned drug and rehabilitation residential centre. Since retirement, John has continued to keep busy including:

• Project Management for the hospice during 2016/17 assisting the Senior Management Team deliver several key projects.
• School Governor at the local primary school attended by one of his grandchildren.
• Part time Financial Controller for a manufacturing company based in Bristol.
• Treasurer of St Martin’s Church, Worle.

John is married to Pam and has lived in Weston-super Mare for over 35 years, and they have 4 children and six grandchildren.

John is a financial adviser and runs his company in Weston-super-Mare, he has been a trustee for 7 years and is passionate and committed to his role as trustee.

Married with 2 adult children and a new granddaughter. In his spare time, he walks his 2 dogs and is a keen gym-goer, and watches his beloved Bristol City at weekends.