New chair of trustees appointed at St Catherine’s Hospice

Philip, who lives in Reigate, is well known to St Catherine’s having already served four years as a Trustee. He is taking up his role as Chair following the retirement of Terry O’Leary, who has chaired the local charity’s Board of Trustees for the last eight years.

In his time as a Trustee, Philip has closely supported St Catherine’s in its mission to reach more local people in need of hospice services. As part of this he has been a central figure in two of St Catherine’s Board sub-committees. He has also supported fundraising events and contributed to the hospice’s new build programme at Grace Holland Avenue, Pease Pottage.

Through his regular participation in the charity’s Quality Committee, Philip has a detailed appreciation of locally delivered services for dying and bereaved people in St Catherine’s referral area. He also understands the hospice’s valued work in support of local GPs, District Nursing Teams and the hospital team at Redhill. In addition, as Chair of the Financial Sustainability Committee, he has a detailed understanding of the income and costs associated with running a hospice that serves over 2,000 people each year

Philip said, "I am delighted and honoured to take on the role of Chair of Trustees at St Catherine's. The hospice is vital to the provision of end of life care in West Sussex and East Surrey and deeply rooted in its local community. It is a privilege to continue to be involved with St Catherine's as we remain committed to the provision of end of life care to those we support. Like many organisations in the health sector we face challenges ahead, but we have an excellent team and I feel confident that together we can ensure the hospice's long-term future.

Commenting on Philip’s appointment, Giles Tomsett, St Catherine’s Chief Executive, stated “I have worked closely with Philip for the last four years. I have no doubt he will make an excellent Chair given his passion for our work and his appreciation of the significant challenge facing St Catherine’s and all UK hospices to remain sustainable with cost of living and inflationary pressures, so valued services continue for local people facing a vulnerable time in their lives.”

Terry O'Leary, who is handing the role of Chair of Trustees to Philip added, "I am delighted that Philip will succeed me as Chair of Trustees at St Catherine's. Philip has a long assocation with St Catherine's prior to joining the hospice as a Trustee in 2020. With his appointment, I am very confident that the future of the charity is in excellent hands.

Alongside his Trustee experience, Philip has a long and close personal association with St Catherine’s. His relationship with the charity goes back through family friends who helped found and establish St Catherine’s in the 1980’s.

A former partner of KPMG and EMEA Chief Operating Officer of Cushman & Wakefield, since 2016 Philip has been Chief Operating Officer, Europe and Middle East at Savills PLC. He will continue in this role alongside his Chair duties, supported by St Catherine’s Trustees and Executive Team.