Liz Searle RGN RNT MBA MSc.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
Liz is a qualified nurse, specialising in cancer and palliative care, and held posts in higher education, as Director of Education Development and Support at Macmillan and as Head of Palliative Care at Sue Ryder Care. Liz has published various books and articles on the subject of palliative care and has presented at numerous industry conferences. Liz joined Keech Hospice Care in 2012, as the Clinical Director and was selected as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in February 2016.
Elaine Tolliday RGN BSc PGCE
Deputy CEO and Clinical Director
Elaine joined Keech Hospice Care in 2009, initially as Head of Care and now as Deputy CEO and Clinical Director. Elaine qualified as a nurse in 1991 and after a few years in general nursing, dedicated her career to palliative care, working as a Macmillan clinical nurse for twelve years. Elaine oversees the delivery of all Keech care services, leads the development of new services and is responsible for ensuring high quality, holistic care is offered to as many patients and their families as possible.
Rob Davies BSc Hons FCCA
Finance and Corporate Services Director
Rob joined Keech Hospice Care in 2014, initially as Head of Finance and now as Finance and Corporate Services Director. Rob trained and qualified as an accountant at BDO LLP working there for fourteen years before joining Keech. As Finance and Corporate Services Director, Rob leads the finance and information technology (IT) functions of the charity.
Andrea Daniels MBA FCIM FRSA
Executive Director: Innovation, Digital and Engagement
Andrea joined Keech in 2022 and has over twenty-five years’ experience leading and embedding strategic development for charity and charter organisations. Andrea is a Fellow of C.I.M., a Trustee for the domestic abuse charity Refuge and Chair of community based homeless charity, Hackney Night Shelter. Andrea overseas the digital, fundraising, commercial and communications teams at Keech and is responsible for driving innovation to ensure we continue to meet our patient's needs.
Juliette Benson
Associate Director: Patient Services (Adult)
Juliette qualified as a nurse 1985, spending four years working for the NHS, followed by over twenty years in operational management roles within the Independent Healthcare sector. Juliette joined Keech in 2012, initially working clinically in outpatients before returning to a management role in 2016. Juliette is responsible for ensuring Keech adult care services are responsive and personalised to those that need our support and for maintaining the highest standards of care and safety.
Sonya O’Leary
Associate Director: Patient Services (Child)
Sonya qualified as a Registered General Nurse and Registered Sick Children’s Nurse in 1992. Sonya has dedicated her career to working with children and young people at several, world leading hospitals across the UK, specialising in children’s oncology, bone marrow transplant and palliative care. Sonya joined Keech Hospice Care in 2016 and leads a specialist team providing holistic, end-of-life care for children and young people across Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Milton Keynes.
Matt Ambler
Associate Director: People and HR
Matt joined Keech Hospice Care in 2013, initially as HR Lead, moving to the role of Associate Director of People and HR in 2021. Matt previously worked in HR for a national charity and public service organisation. Matt has a passion for equity of opportunity, previously working to help unemployed and disadvantaged people into employment. Matt has a degree in Business Studies and a CIPD Level 7 Professional Diploma.
Angela Burgess
Associate Director: Commercial and Trading
Angela joined Keech in 2012 and has over 30 years’ experience working in both corporate and third sector retailing. Angela leads Keech’s retail business, raising over £1m a year for the delivery of specialist patient Care services. Angela is a keen advocate of sustainable fashion, a member of the Charity Retail Association and Chair of the CRA Southeast and East of England Hospice Retail Steering Group meetings.
Nikki Samsa
Associate Director: Supporter Engagement
Nikki joined Keech Hospice Care in 2014 and leads the fundraising team. Nikki has worked in local, regional and national fundraising since 2002, following a successful banking career. Nikki is passionate about the impact fundraising can make, for the individual raising funds and charities across all sectors. Nikki has a particular interest in relationship fundraising, treating everyone as an individual with a capacity to give.
Simon Ogden
Chairman
Simon joined the Keech board of Trustees in March 2021 and has over thirty years’ experience working in various commercial and marketing roles in the pharmaceutical/vaccine industry. Simon runs his own consultancy, specialising in launching new medicines and vaccines, and brings his extensive experience to assist Keech with governance and compliance. Simon lives in Harpenden with his wife, has two sons and enjoys walking, travelling, scuba diving and watching sport.
Judy Greevy
Vice Chair and Trustee
Judy has recently joined the Keech Hospice Board following her role as a trustee on the Bedford Daycare Hospice Board. She has spent her career working in various public and private sector organisations in HR and private sector organisations in HR and her last position was as an HR Director in the Civil Service working in Whitehall.
She has lived in and around Bedford for over 30 years and been involved with various local organisations including the hospital charity. She knows from personal experience how important the type of services offered by the hospice are and is delighted to be able to support this work.
Judy enjoys golf, tennis and singing in her local choir in her spare time.
Pete Cannon
Trustee
A family man with four children and six grandchildren, Pete retired from Vauxhall after thirty-four years.
Pete’s personal experience of Keech, where his Father received care in 2016, inspired him to volunteer as a Trustee. Pete understands the physical and psychological impact of a life-limiting diagnosis and the importance of the care and support Keech provides.
Pete lives in Dunstable, loves to spend time with his grandchildren and enjoys keeping fit.
Mim Heyes
Trustee
Mim has a personal connection with Keech Hospice Care as her son, who had severe life-limiting disabilities, was cared for by the hospice until 2015. As a Trustee, Mim continues being part of a legacy for others in a similar situation to her son. Mim was previously co-owner of Moseley Road, part of a larger Turkish manufacturing group that designs, develops and produces garments for high-street retailers. Mim lives in London with her husband and two children.
Jeff Lustig
Trustee
A qualified solicitor, Jeff has over forty years’ experience across the private and public sector. Prior to retirement, Jeff was Borough Solicitor and then Director of Corporate Governance for one of London's largest boroughs. A trustee of two other charities, Jeff brings a wealth of experience and knowledge of law, governance and strategic management to Keech, helping strengthen the delivery of our mission to lead the way in providing excellent care.
Mike McMahon
Trustee
Mike worked for Luton Borough Council for forty-five years in a variety of senior positions across a range of services, completing his career as a Service Director. Now semi-retired, Mike is Director of a management consultancy and community interest company, and a trustee of Luton Town FC Community Trust and Hatters’ Heritage. Mike brings his extensive experience and expertise in corporate governance and strategic planning to really make a difference at Keech Hospice Care.
Debra Smith
Trustee
Debra has recently joined the Keech Board following her role as a trustee with Bedford Daycare Hospice since 2019.
Prior to her retirement, Debra had a long career in the NHS, which spanned from her initial training as a registered nurse in Bedford, to leadership positions across the East Midlands, managing both clinical and non-clinical services. As an executive director, Debra developed expertise in strategic planning, clinical/ corporate governance and performance management.
She is keen to support the Hospice in the future development of patient services across Bedfordshire in her role as a Trustee of the Board of Directors at Keech Hospice Care.
Iain Malcolm
Trustee
Iain has been married for over 30 years and has two children. His experience includes 25 years as a Finance Manager and a Commercial Manager with a large American telecommunications company, based in the UK. He lives in north Buckinghamshire and spends his spare time playing golf and traveling with his wife. Recently retired, Iain joined the Keech Trustees as treasurer and as part of this, he will sit on the audit and risk committee, Investment committee and also sits on the remuneration committee.
