Trustees

I have worked in the charity sector for more than 30 years. I have spent the last 13 years as a Chief Executive or Chief Operating Officer.

I undertake voluntary work for the following organisations:

Kent Surrey Sussex Academic Health Science Network – I serve as a Patient Experience Ambassador.

I am the co-chair for Surrey Coalition of Disabled People and I mentor many executives for NHS Surrey Heartlands.

I believe in fairness and well-being of all carers of any age, paid or unpaid. I think I can bring experience and knowledge to the board of trustees having a wealth of experience commercially and also from my experience working in the voluntary sector, in particular working with Surrey Chief Executives.

With the UK Government increasingly leaving care to local communities to support and fund, Crossroads will become a bigger and more vital support organisation for Surrey.

The demand for good quality care will increase substantially the coming years and therefore support for organisations such as Crossroads are extremely important.

I joined Crossroads as a Trustee in early 2021. I have had a long career in Shell International, spanning many senior and executive positions globally and at various countries’ level. Since leaving Shell 10 years ago, I started a new successful company in The Netherlands and more recently, am advising young entrepreneurs and boards of a number of small start-ups (tech and other). My business experience can help Crossroads at the commercial fund raising end particularly, and help the management team define strategy with a renewed focus on community-based fund raising and awareness.

I am originally from The Netherlands but have lived in Surrey since 1997. I am married to Wendy who is South African and have two adult children, one a singer songwriter and the other a Solicitor.

As a management accountant, my career in both large and small enterprises took me to Asia and continental Europe. My husband and I eventually settled in Surrey and brought up our children here. In 2008 my father was diagnosed with dementia and my grandmother also needed care. I experienced first-hand the difficulties of caring for elderly relatives whilst bringing up my own children. The story is one experienced by many families who are helped by Crossroads. This experience helped me understand and appreciate the vital role that Crossroads staff play in the lives of many people and I am glad to be able to play a small part in that.

I have always been involved in the local community having been a School governor, a Trustee of St Nicolas Church and Bookham United Charities.

I am delighted to join Crossroads Care Surrey. Originally from New Zealand, my background spans over 40 years of nursing and midwifery across five countries – with over 20 of those in senior NHS management. I am passionate about quality and safety in healthcare and am currently working as Head of Quality and Governance with a Surrey GP Federation.

I believe the values I have held throughout my career are similar to those held by Crossroads Care Surrey – with a focus on individuals, dignity, safety and seeking to improve the quality of life for others.

I briefly lived in Surrey in the 1980s and moved back with my partner in 2013. I have an adult son and enjoy gardening, orienteering and choral singing as pastimes.