Our Board
As a registered charity we’re governed by a volunteer Board, working closely with our Executive Team who are responsible for day-to-day operations.
The role of the Board is to ensure that we’re functioning within the law and in accordance with Charity Commission rules. It sets the future strategy and ensures that resources are managed efficiently and risk is effectively managed. Various sub-committees, each chaired by a Board member and comprised of Board and Executive team members, work to monitor the different aspects of our activities.
Rachel Medill
CHAIR
Rachel spent the majority of her early career working as a director in marketing and communications in London.
Wanting to find a more fulfilling vocation, she moved into the charity sector. For the last 20 years she has worked in a range of local, regional and national leadership roles, but her first priority was always to her local community in Milton Keynes.
It was this focus that led Rachel to set up Ride High, which uses horses to transform the lives of some of the most disadvantaged, disengaged and troubled local children. As Chief Executive of the charity, Rachel oversaw the acquisition of their 37-acre Loughton Manor site, which now welcomes around 120 vulnerable young people every week.
Rachel is a keen horsewoman herself and lives in Aspley Guise with her husband, Alan.
Helen Simpson
BOARD MEMBER
Helen Simpson is delighted to join Willen Hospice as a legal trustee and Board member, an organisation that holds a very special place in her heart.
Helen is a solicitor and partner at a law firm in Milton Keynes and she specialises in wills, probate, powers of attorney and trusts. Through her professional work, she regularly supports individuals and families at some of the most important and sensitive moments in their lives, and she brings this experience to her role as a Board member, particularly in relation to governance, legal oversight and strategic decision-making.
Her connection to the Hospice is both professional and deeply personal. The Hospice cared for her father around 20 years ago, and more recently supported a close friend. Seeing first-hand the compassion, dignity and care provided to patients and their families has left a lasting impression on Helen and inspired her commitment to supporting the Hospice in any way she can.
Over the years, Helen has been an active supporter of the Hospice’s fundraising efforts, including taking part in the London Landmark’s half marathon, and she is passionate about helping to ensure the Hospice can continue its vital work for future generations.
Helen is proud to be part of a community-focused organisation that means so much to so many local families, and feels privileged to contribute to the ongoing success of the Hospice as a Board member.
Helen lives in Milton Keynes with her husband, two school-age children, and her mother.
Paul Cooper
BOARD MEMBER
Paul first got involved with Willen in early 2022 having returned from a spell living and working overseas.
First joining us as a Director of Willen Hospice Ventures, Paul is now a Board member and Chair of the Business Development Committee. Paul’s mother was cared for at Willen in her final days, many years ago. He had always wanted to give something back to the organisation who had been superb with him and his family during such a difficult time.
Paul has extensive business experience, having had Managing Director and Finance Director roles with a number of UK and international companies. Paul brings a lot of real world experience to be able to support the Business Development team and the wider Executive Team.
Outside of work, Paul plays golf and is keen on most sports having played cricket and rugby when he was younger. Paul is married with two sons who have now left home and safely in world of work. This has given Paul a little more time to be able to get involved with the Hospice.
Philip Ball
BOARD MEMBER
Philip has a nursing background of which over 30 years was based in palliative and end-of-life care in a variety of roles. He worked as a nurse and manager at Willen Hospice over two different periods in that time.
Now fully retired, in his role as Board member Philip contributes to the Hospice through the Clinical Governance committee, advising on clinical matters, and volunteering at events. He has used social media to network professionally and personally, and is also a Parish Councillor in his local village.
Philip has lived in Milton Keynes since 1984, where he and his family grew and continue to live. Making time for gardening, reading and pursuing his fascination with railways are important, though being with his grandson trumps all of those.
Jan Wood
BOARD MEMBER
After working many years in the materials research industry, in her mid-thirties, Jan trained as a nurse, at Stoke Mandeville Hospital.
Intending to be a Health Visitor, she was seduced by Medicine and so worked on an acute medical and respiratory ward. Given her technical background, a special clinical/technical role was created that supported her to implement the first patient record system across the hospital. She them moved to the local Health Authority, and stayed with that during its various incarnations as PCG, then PCT, resulting in her being responsible for all IM&T across the NHS and Primary Care in Bucks. She then retired and offered freelance services across Thames valley and Hampshire, until she became employed by Milton Keynes CCG, on a two-week basis.
Jan is now a senior member of Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, where she has responsibility for Emergency Care, End of Life Care, Complex Care (including Continuing Healthcare) and many other services across the large footprint of the ICB.
Marihelen Esam
BOARD MEMBER
Marihelen spent her early career as a serial entrepreneur, buying, building and selling a number of businesses.
These include a publishing house, advertising agency, pr consultancy, and industrial film maker.
She then moved to Somerset and purchased a livestock and soft fruit farm. Moving to Olney in 1987 she bought the delicatessen and a stake in a jewellery and a travel agency business. Between 1990 and 2019, Marihelen took up a Visiting Fellow post at Cranfield University, becoming Programme Director of the Business Growth and Essential Management Programmes, specialising in helping owner-managers define and implement strategic objectives. In retirement Marihelen is a keen gardener and swimmer, and actively supports a number of charities.
Tony Marsh
BOARD MEMBER
Tony became a member of the Board in February 2024. He holds the position of Associate Director of Estates at Milton Keynes University Hospital.
Tony brings with him extensive knowledge in Healthcare Facilities Management. His expertise spans across various areas, including Capital Projects, Security, Clinical Engineering, and Estates Maintenance. Tony has been a strong advocate for NHS Netzero targets and is actively leading the hospital's efforts in decarbonisation. This includes implementing initiatives such as Solar panels, EV charging infrastructure, and ambitious plans to eliminate all gas fired boiler plant.
Throughout his career, Tony has held senior roles in both the private and public sectors, primarily focusing on property, service, and compliance. He lives in Milton Keynes with his wife, children, and their dog, Poppy.
Shahida Mohamed
BOARD MEMBER
Shahida has had a long and successful career in CFO roles within the FMCG sector.
The commercially orientated experience she brings to the Willen board will enhance its decision-making process, resulting in the Hospice continuing to become financially stronger.
Shahida lives in Willen and has always had an interest in contributing her time to the Willen Hospice, which she can now fulfil, having retired from her full-time role in the corporate sector.
Dr Dush Mital
BOARD MEMBER
Dush has been a Board member since December 2025. He is currently a Consultant Physician in Blood Borne Viruses and Sexual/Reproductive Health based locally at Milton Keynes University Hospital and The Saxon Clinic.
Dush qualified as a medical doctor from St George’s Hospital Medical School in London in 1993. As an HIV/AIDS Care Specialist for nearly 30 years, Dush has had a long-standing interest in palliative and end-of-life care which was further enhanced by previous stints as a resident doctor in oncology at The Royal Marsden Hospital in London, as a volunteer at Willen Hospice, Medical Examiner, school governor and being on the hospital frontline during the COVID-19 pandemic.
As a Churchill Fellow since 2017, he was fortunate enough to be a clinical observer in a hospice based in Vancouver, Canada. Dush has had other related roles as a Clinical Director, National Institute for Health and Care Research Research Lead and as a University Senior Lecturer. He has authored more than 70 articles in the field of Infectious Diseases and is currently researching origins and types of infections in ancient Egyptian mummies.
Dush grew up in east London and relocated to Milton Keynes in 2006 where he lives with his wife, two sons and three cats. His interests involve gym-based exercises, swimming, travelling and reading non-medical related non-fiction.
Penny Weatherup
BOARD MEMBER
Penny’s early career was in hospitality, managing the opening of a new hotel and restaurant with no management or leadership experience.
From this emerged a love of customers and the basis of Penny’s work ethic: the desire to make a difference. As well as passion for the customer, a passion for people and teamwork soon developed, and following a number of roles and 11 years with global insurance firm, AXA, Penny decided to follow her heart and pursue a career in Human Resources.
She established the HR department in a private equity law firm, before joining Volkswagen Group’s HR team in 2007.
Penny joined VWG in 2007 on a temporary, part-time contract as HR Business Partner, and was subsequently promoted to the role of Head of HR Operations (OMK) in 2011. In these roles she grasped the opportunity to understand the mechanics of the business, and gained valuable experience in deploying change initiatives.
Penny joined Volkswagen Group UK’s board in 2016 when she was appointed Group People Director, following a number of promotions within the organisation.
For Penny, people have to be at the heart of any change, and she has established a successful strategy that supports and enables the rapid operational and accompanying cultural transformation of Volkswagen Group UK.
Creating an environment where everybody can be themselves, collaborate, make a difference and feel valued for their contribution is high on her agenda. As such she is a passionate advocate of identity and cognitive diversity, while her focus on communication, communication, and more communication has become a central tenet of the Volkswagen Group UK culture.
Anita Nadkarni
BOARD MEMBER
Anita first connected with Willen Hospice during a Midnight Moo event, a memorable experience that left a lasting impact.
Inspired by the Hospice’s values of respect, compassion, and excellence, she is passionate about supporting its mission. Anita brings a wealth of experience in commercial business development and strategic growth, making her a valuable addition to the Board.
With over 25 years of experience in strategy, technology, and transformation, Anita has successfully led large-scale business growth initiatives across multiple sectors. She has played a pivotal role in executing hyper-growth strategies, driving significant revenue expansion, and leading high-impact transformation programs. Her expertise includes identifying growth opportunities, building strategic partnerships, and delivering operational efficiencies that contribute to long-term business success.
Beyond her professional career, Anita is dedicated to supporting local business and community initiatives in Milton Keynes. She has served as a Brand Ambassador for SEMLEP, chaired the Milton Keynes Business Achievement Awards judging panel since 2021, and has been a judge for Women Leaders UK since 2023, advocating for leadership excellence.
Anita loves traveling with her family, and the melodies of Bach music bring a soothing harmony to her soul.