Trustee Profiles
Dr Paul Cook
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Job Role & Company: Retired Hospital Doctor. Previous roles have included: Consultant in Anaesthesia, Palliative Care and Pain Medicine at Royal Oldham Hospital along with Medical Director at Dr Kershaw’s Hospice
Years in Industry: 38
Key Skills: Educator, awareness of health care system and information technology in healthcare
Dr Cook has been involved with the Hospice since 1992 and is currently the Chair of the Board of Trustees. Dr Cook qualified as a Doctor in 1979, before carrying out training in anaesthesia. He began his consultancy role at the Royal Oldham Hospital in 1988 before joining Dr Kershaw’s as Medical Director in 2005, and then becoming Interim CEO in 2015. Dr Cook played an instrumental role in the planning and delivery of the new Inpatient Unit and the landscaping of the new gardens. Additionally, Dr Cook helped to set up Greater Manchester Hospices’ Group (GMH).
Mr Jonathan Lipton
Vice Chair of the Board of Trustees
Job Role & Company: Retired, previously a Consultant Ophthalmic Surgeon
Years in Industry: 36
Key Skills: Medical and Surgical Experience, Organisational Leadership and Clinical Governance
Jonathan started at Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in January 2015, after being asked to join to support with clinical governance. Jonathan previously worked for the NHS as a private practice surgeon before becoming a partner of a private group providing care to NHS patients. Prior to joining Dr Kershaw’s Board of Trustees, Jonathan was Chair of the Pennine Acute Trust Local Negotiating Committee as well as being Chair of the Hospital of Medical Staff Defence Trust and a member of the British Medical Association’s Central Consultants Committee.
Mrs Rachel Damianou
Company Secretary
Job Role & Company: Partner at Wrigley Claydon Solicitors, Head of Wills and Probate
Years in Industry: 30
Key Skills: Legal skills, volunteering, chaplaincy and fundraising
Rachel has been Company Secretary for Dr Kershaw’s Hospice since 2019. As Head of Wills and Probate, Rachel prepares and advises on Wills, Powers of Attorney and Probate. Rachel’s career highlight involves acting for the Prime Minister when he was being sued in Oldham County Court. As Company Secretary Rachel’s role involves dealing with administrative duties at Company House and providing advice regarding Legacies and Wills. Rachel enjoys being part of a heart-warming and worthwhile organisation. Alongside being Company Secretary Rachel is also a Trustee of Lydgate Community Association and is a Youth Leader at St Anne’s Church Lydgate.
Mr Stephen Schofield
Job Role & Company: Head of Business Development – PG Mutual
Years in Industry: 27
Key Skills: Sales & Marketing, market analysis, product review & enhancement, project management, team recruitment, mentoring and management
Stephen joined Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in April 2021, and has been in the Financial Services and Mutuals industry for 27 years. As a Trustee, Stephen brings experience in sales, marketing and customer service to the Board. Stephen became a Trustee due to his desire to give back to his local community and to be able to use his knowledge and experiences to help the Hospice. Alongside being a Trustee Stephen is an active member of The Association of Financial Mutuals (AFM), The Protect Association and The International Cooperative and Mutual Insurance Federation (ICMIF).
Mrs Eileen Jones
Job Role & Company: Retired Civil Servant
Years in Industry: 34
Key Skills: Communication and PR
Eileen joined Dr Kershaw's as a Trustee in 2023 after 34 years in Government communications. On retirement, Eileen was Northern Divisional Director of the Central Office of Information which was part of the Cabinet Office. She led on many Government PR campaigns and initiatives right across Government. Eileen felt she still had something to offer and wished to support a local charity. She has long been aware of the Hospice and its valuable role, and she felt she could give some support. The highlight of Eileen's career was being invited to a party on the Royal Yacht Britannia, hosted by The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh to thank all those who had been involved in organising the commemorations for the Battle of the Atlantic.
Mr Richard Buchanan
Job Role & Company: Director of Marketing & Customer Engagement - Classroom Secrets Limited, Halifax
Years in Industry: 35
Key Skills: Sales & Marketing, Marketing leadership, traditional and digital marketing, experienced business transformation facilitator
Richard joined Dr Kershaw’s as a Trustee in 2023 and has over 35 year’s experience in working within a diverse range of sectors including retail, hospitality, healthcare, education and online retail. Richard is keen to use his wealth of marketing experience to give advice on how marketing of the Hospice and its services can be improved.
Mr David Macdonald
Job Role & Company: Senior Manager, BT Enterprise
Years in Industry: 37
Key Skills: Business transformation, governance, customer focus, teamwork, leadership, analysis
David joined Dr Kershaw's as a Trustee in 2023. He is a Senior Manager at BT Enterprise, his previous BT roles include Business Consulting, Programme Management, Business Transformation and Service Delivery for major public and corporate requirements. Prior to BT, David held customer operations roles in Travel and Financial Services. David is proud to have worked for several Health services and assignments including helping launch and implement the national advisory and health information service NHS 24 in Scotland. He also helped to run and manage preparations and readiness activities for the UK National Pandemic Flu Line Service with the NHS for several years. David wanted to support Dr Kershaw’s as it gives so much comfort and end of life care to so many deserving people in our community.
Mr Mark Hadfield
Job Role & Company: Chartered Company Director
Years in Industry: 25
Key Skills: Business strategy, financial and operational performance, leadership, governance, construction
Mark joined Dr Kershaw's as a Trustee in 2023. Mark is a Chartered Company Director and is Managing Director of a local business operating within the construction industry. Mark wanted to do something positive for the community and felt that becoming a Trustee was the best way to utilise his skills and experience to help and support others. He can also support the Hospice with projects relating to buildings and maintenance including facilities, people management and health and safety.
Registered Charity Number: 1105924
Dr Kershaw’s Hospice
Turf Lane, Royton, Oldham OL2 6EU
phone: (0161) 624 2727