Our Team

Andy joined Isabel Hospice in 2019 as Head of IPU Services.  In April 2022 she took on the role of Acting Director of Clinical Services and was successfully recruited into the permanent role of Director of Clinical Services in December 2022. Andy started her career as a health care assistant and then qualified as a nurse in 2011.  Since then, she has held leadership positions in oncology and palliative care, with a career spanning over 30 years in the NHS, private and charity sectors.  Andy is the LGBTQ+ champion for Isabel Hospice and has a keen interest in staff wellbeing.

Clinical Quality and Safety Committee, People Commitee, IHL Services Limited

Claire is an experienced Senior Nurse with over 23 years clinical/operational, commissioning, and strategic experience within the NHS. She has a substantive background of operational management and clinical leadership roles. Claire is passionate about patient safety, patient experience, and clinical effectiveness. She also loves to walk with the family and is a keen baker in her spare time.

Clinical, Quality and Education Committee, Finance and Risk Committee

Debbie Perry has been a resident of Hertford for 40 years.  She comes from a varied career background, most recently working on the Senior Leadership team at a Secondary School for 18 years having previously worked in Higher and Further Education for 10 years as a Lecturer.  Before pursuing a career in the education sector, Debbie was based in the City of London working for investment banks but moved into education after having her family.  Her qualifications include NPQH and first class Honours in Computer Science awarded with a University prize. On a personal level, Debbie is married with three children.  She runs marathons and has competed all over the world.

People Committee, Fundraising & Marketing Committee

Helen took up this role from 1^st March 2020. Helen, who originally trained as a nurse has held many roles within the health sector, including the NHS, the Department of Health, private and charity sectors. She joined Isabel as a Trustee in 2016 and for a period of 5 months became Interim CEO before returning to the voluntary role of Vice Chair on the Board. Helen currently is a non-executive director at Princess Alexander Hospital NHS Trust, and lives in Bishop’s Stortford with her family. Helen has stepped down as a Trustee and a new Vice Chair to the Board will be appointed in due course.

Clinical, Quality and Education Committee, People Committee

Ozlem currently works for the NHS in Hertfordshire, and has worked in the NHS for the last eight years. Before this Ozlem was working in higher education, undertaking a doctorate degree in Law. She has lived in Hertfordshire for over twenty years, and is a keen supporter of Isabel Hospice. In her spare time she enjoys travelling, the theatre and spending time with friends and family.

Clinical, Quality & Education Committee, Fundraising and Marketing

Renata has a background in the Pharmaceutical Industry with more than 30 years’ experience in the scientific development, regulatory approval, and commercialisation of new medicines. She started her career as an academic researcher studying heart disease at St Thomas’s Hospital, London prior to joining a Swiss global Pharma company where she worked in R&D developing several new drugs across all areas including influenza and cancer. Renata’s most recent role was at Cancer Research UK managing their portfolio of new cancer drugs in development. Renata is also a trustee of the PTEN Research Foundation, holds several Scientific advisor roles, and is a member of the Policy and Communications Committee of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine.

Finance and Risk Committee, Isabel Hospice Trading Board

Ian is a retired Group Company Secretary who during his career worked on the Board of Kwik Fit and its’ parent and sister companies. As Group Company Secretary he managed the legal, health & safety and compliance functions. Also, a qualified accountant, he now spends his time volunteering with the Canal & River Trust and his local nature reserve. Ian lives with his wife in Welwyn Garden City, studies Spanish and is a member of Trent Park Running Club.

Chair of Trading Company Board, Finance and Risk Commitee, People Commitee

Ian is the Bursar for an independent boarding school in Hertfordshire, this role includes responsibility for the financial affairs of the School as well as a wide variety of matters such as Governance, Risk, IT and Health and Safety. His move to the Education Sector was built upon a first career as an engineer in the British Army and then as an entrepreneur in South Africa where he owned and operated a small chain of stores as well as an online trading business.  He is a Chartered Engineer and a qualified Accountant.

People Committee, Finance and Risk Committee, IHL Services Limited

John has been a resident of Hertfordshire for over thirty years, John is a practising company secretary and solicitor with a keen interest in building high performing teams and helping his colleagues achieve their maximum potential. He has worked in a wide variety of sectors including FMCG, hotels & restaurants, financial services and industrial & medical technology for some of the UK’s largest companies. In his spare time, he enjoys walking, most team sports, safaris and other nature based holidays. He lives in Welwyn Hatfield with his wife and their two cats.

Clinical Quality and Safety Committee, Fundraising and Marketing

Lisa has a background in Fundraising and Marketing and was the Director of Fundraising and Public Relations at Isabel Hospice between July 2006 and March 2016.  Currently Lisa’s day job is being the Central Bedfordshire Council Place Programme Manager where her responsibilities include overseeing the Community Grants Programme.

Lydia Hopley joined Isabel Hospice on a permanent basis in January 2022, having led the People Team on an Interim basis since February 2020. Lydia has a wide range of HR leadership experience across the Hospice sector and beyond and has worked as an HR Consultant and Coach for 7 years.  Lydia has a particular interest in workplace culture and has a master’s degree in Personnel and Development (MCIPD), is a qualified mediator and an experienced Executive Coach.

Finance and Risk Committee, Trading Company Board

Melanie has had an extensive career in retail for over 25 years. She has broad experience and had held a number of roles covering commercial functions including Buying, Merchandising, Trading, Ecommerce and Marketing.  She lives in Hertfordshire with her partner and young daughter.

Michael has considerable charity experience having worked with charities while self employed as a chartered accountant and charity finance consultant, and more recently held posts of Director/Head of Finance roles with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and Groundwork East. In these roles Michael’s portfolio has included Finance, Digital/IT, Estate and Facilities and Health and Safety.

Ruth has a breadth of experience, having worked in Retail (Kurt Geiger, Arcadia, House of Fraser, Debenhams),  fundraising and on other commercial initiatives. Ruth’s most recent role was with national charity, Crimestoppers. Ruth’s role at Isabel Hospice is oversight of the retail & fundraising departments as well as identifying and delivering additional income streams.

Isabel Hospice Trading Board, Finance and Risk Committee, IHL Services Limited

Terry is currently the Town Clerk for Ware Town Council, and has worked in the local government and Charity sector for the past 15 years.  Prior to this he was Managing Director for an award winning retailer following a number of senior management appointments with WH Smith. In his spare time Terry enjoys world travel and has a personal ambition to watch live or participate in 50 different sports. He lives in Hertfordshire with his partner Sue.