Hospice Boards Council

The Forum of Hospice Chairs is a national network that promotes the role of hospice chairs and trustees, and enables them to communicate their views to Hospice UK.

The Hospice Boards Council (HBC) is the mechanism through which hospice Chairs of trustees can inform and advise on the work of Hospice UK.

The council is part of Hospice UK’s governance system.

What's on this page

The role of the group

The group:

  • shares information and experience with and between hospice Chairs
  • raises awareness of issues concerning the local governance of hospice care at a national level
  • informs and advises the work of Hospice UK.
Stock photo of a group of men and women, seated, having a board meeting

How the Council works

Each region of the UK has an elected member who sits on the Council. All Chairs of trustees from Hospice UK member organisations are eligible to stand for election.

Each elected member serves for a term of three years, subject to a maximum of two consecutive terms. In exceptional circumstances (as determined by the HBC), this may be extended to a third consecutive term.

Find out more

Regional members

Region Representative
Chair Ros Keeton, Chair, Compton Care
North East Steve James, Chair, St Oswald's Hospice
Yorks & Humber

Margaret Middlebrook, Chair, St Catherine's

Lorraine Chapman, Chair, The Kirkwood
East Midlands Joanne Brunner, Chair, Nottinghamshire Hospice
South West Stephen Taylor, Chair, Dorothy House Hospice
South East Coast Karen Warden, Chair, Pilgrim's Hospice
South Central Melville Kendal, Chair, Oakhaven Hospice
North West Terry McGraw, Co-Chair, Queenscourt Hospice
East of England Terry Philpott, Chair, Isabel Hospice
West Midlands

Jenny Cowpe, Chair, St Richard's Hospice &

David Teague, Chair, St Michael's Hospice
London Suzanne Shale, Chair, Royal Trinity Hospice
Wales Michael Baker, Chair, City Hospice
Scotland Shona MacDougall, Co-Chair, Highland Hospice
Northern Ireland Ian Sheppard, Chair, Northern Ireland Hospice
Trustees and governance

Trustees and Governance

If you're a trustee, or member of your hospice board, we have lots of information, guidance, and advice which will help you in your role.

Find out more