Meet the trustees

Sir Tim Jenner

Chair

Sir Tim Jenner joined the Royal Air Force and served as an operational helicopter pilot in the UK, Germany, Middle East and Belize for 20 years before progressing to a number of staff appointments. His last post was Chief of Staff at RAF Strike Command. On retirement he joined Serco Group and was the Chair of the Defence and Aerospace Division. He left Serco in 2011 and became a trustee of Thames Valley Air Ambulance, which he chaired for eight years.

Sir Tim joined Katharine House as a trustee in April 2019, wanting to make a contribution to this vital charity at a time of significant challenge for hospices in the UK.

He says, ‘Katharine House provides an absolutely crucial service to the local community and the demand is growing. I am proud to have joined a dedicated and highly professional team that is constantly striving to enhance the outstanding care it provides.

Geraldine Burke

Geraldine has enjoyed a clinical career in the NHS, working in several London hospitals as a nurse, senior manager and executive director. She specialised in surgery, oncology and palliative care, initiating new and patient-focused services. Geraldine worked with NHS commissioners to integrate and merge hospitals and community services, all requiring change management and financial accountability.

Geraldine has worked for the Care Quality Commission as a specialist advisor, inspecting end of life care across the country. She has also been a hospice trustee in Hertfordshire for six years and, since 2017, as a clinical trustee for Katharine House Hospice.

Geraldine says: ‘Having worked in many settings, initiating, designing and providing palliative care for patients and those close to them, I believe there is still much to be done to make the speciality accessible to all and to further meet the individual needs of those people and families at a most vulnerable time of their life.

‘It is vital that hospices survive during international financial crisis and never more do we need the support of local communities to give financial donations, help to fundraise and volunteer to work with us. I look forward to working in partnership with the Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) to continue to improve and develop palliative care for the people of Oxfordshire.’

Bruce Eggeling

Bruce is a retired chartered accountant who trained with one of the ‘Big Four’ firms.

Following qualification, he joined a US software company as head of finance in Europe and grew the company’s presence through company formations, growth and acquisitions. This was followed by a very successful period as director of finance and administration at a London-based international legal practice.

For nearly 20 years prior to his retirement Bruce worked as a self-employed financial consultant working on a wide array of projects, including large contract bids, acquisitions and acting head of finance roles.

In retirement, Bruce has been very much focused on being involved with his local community: he was a councillor on his local parish council for eight years, is a trustee for two village charities, treasurer of a free community publication delivered bi-monthly to over 2,000 houses, and treasurer of his local railway station friends group.

Bruce says, ‘For the past two years I have loved being a volunteer driver for Katharine House and I have marvelled at the effect that this modest service has had upon those for whom I have been honoured to drive. I have also been greatly touched to hear the positivity expressed by those people I am driving about everything that Katharine House does for their well-being. I am now delighted, as a trustee, to be able to try to bring my knowledge, skill and experience to help Katharine House to continue to deliver the world class end-of-life care to the community for which it is justly renowned.’

Alan Plumb

Alan is a Fellow of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and has recently retired as a Director at Savills where his work developed from land agency and rural diversification to providing property and operational business advice to charitable trusts, owners and operators of concerns, ranging from sports and leisure venues to hospitality outlets, and holiday and theme parks to end-of-life facilities. Living locally for over 35 years, Alan has managed large multi-disciplinary teams in Oxford and Banbury, is chair of his Parish Council, a Freeman of the City of London and Liveryman of the Worshipful Company of Farmers, and a committee member of the Farmers Club.

Alan says, ‘Many of my friends and I have seen family members cared for by Katharine House in their most difficult times and I know how much the hospice is loved and supported by the community it serves. I now have the time and energy to use my experience to help the hospice directly and am delighted to do so.’

Federica Ronco

Federica has spent over 15 years working as fundraiser in the charity sector, predominantly working for Humanitarian INGOs.

During her ten years at Oxfam, she has built extensive experience across all areas of acquisition, donor retention and development, and supporter care. Federica is now Head of Offline Fundraising at United Kingdom for UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, leading her team to raise funds for a cause she feels passionate about.

She joined the Board of Katharine House Hospice in June 2024, and she sees this as a precious opportunity to support fellow fundraisers.

Federica says: ‘I love being a fundraiser. It can be challenging at times, but knowing that I am making a difference gives me renewed energy and passion for what I do. I became a Trustee as my way to give back to the community, and I plan to do that by offering my fundraising expertise to the team at KHH,  to help raising vital income to support the critically important work delivered by everyone at the hospice.’

Kate Shattock

Kate is an experienced lawyer specialising in financial regulation and has worked in city law firms and financial institutions for 17 years. She is dual qualified (UK and Australia) and has also studied sports law.

After having her son in 2022, Kate began supporting local businesses with their social media presence, advising on presentation, reach and strategy. She has now returned to her legal career on a part-time basis.

Kate joined the board of KHH in September 2025, and is honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to this vital sector in challenging times.

Kate says, ‘Having lost my sister Tammy Holden-White in October 2024, my family and I have experienced first-hand the exceptional care provided to patients at Katharine House Hospice. I hope to bring a new perspective by highlighting the voices of young people living with incurable illnesses, advocating for the support they deserve and helping to remove the fear and stigma surrounding our final days.’

Anne Tutt

Anne Tutt is a Non-Executive Director who has worked across the private, public, charity and NHS sectors. Prior to this she was a Finance Director and Managing Director in the private sector. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant (FCA) and has operated at Board level for more than 30 years.

She was Vice Chair and Senior Independent Director at Oxford University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (OUH) until November 2023 and her current portfolio includes being Treasurer at Swansea University, Action Aid UK and Pancreatic Cancer UK.

Anne joined the Board of Katharine House Hospice in March 2024 and had recently worked with the hospice as the partnership developed with the OUH.

Anne says: ‘I live locally and have always valued Katharine House Hospice as a treasured part of the local community. Many of my family and friends have received exceptional care in the hospice. Since the death of my husband from pancreatic cancer, I have wanted to contribute to the development of end-of-life care in Oxfordshire.’

Ben Walmsley

Ben is Chief Technology Officer for a pharmaceutical manufacturer that specialises in enhancing medicines to make them more acceptable to patients, or to treat underserved segments. He has a wealth of global experience managing technology and information services in multiple industries.

Both of Ben’s parents passed away under the care of their local hospice after developing brain tumours and the care they received made a profound impact on him. Having recently moved to Oxfordshire, Ben was keen to join Katharine House to help the hospice use technology in pursuit of its fundraising goals.

Ben says: ‘Hospices are amazing places. Far from being scary or depressing, there is a tranquility and grateful acquiescence from knowing your loved one is getting the best possible care from amazingly kind and talented people. Nobody wants to need a hospice, but when you do it’s essential they are there. I’m delighted to support our amazing volunteers in making our services available to the whole community.’