Our Team

Andy joined Isabel Hospice in 2019 as Head of IPU Services and stepped into the role of Director of Clinical Services in December 2022. She began her career as a healthcare assistant before qualifying as a nurse in 2011, and has since held senior leadership roles across oncology and palliative care. Her career spans more than 30 years across the NHS, private, and charity sectors. As the organisation’s adult safeguarding lead, Andy is committed to ensuring safe, high quality care, and she has a strong interest in staff wellbeing. She also serves as Isabel Hospice’s LGBTQ+ champion, advocating for inclusion and equity across the organisation.

Barbara Doherty qualified as a nurse at The Westminster Hospital.

She joined Isabel Hospice in 1986 and trained as a patient care volunteer for work in the community, working in the Bishop’s Stortford and Rural areas.

She set up the first Hospice Fundraising group in that area, and still continues as Chairman of the Special Events Committee, which organizes many large events each year.

Appointed a Trustee of the Hospice in 1989 with a special  responsibility for the volunteers, she was appointed  Chairman of Trustees in 1991 and headed the Isabel Hospice Board for twelve years.

She was Vice Chairman of the Forum of Hospice Chairman UK  and sat on the Fundraising Board of Hospice UK.

Barbara was awarded a High Sheriff’s award for services to the Community, was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Science by Hertfordshire University and appointed MBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in 2008 for services to the Community and Isabel Hospice.

Barbara’s work as President involves many speaking engagements to local groups, receiving cheques from Rotaries, Inner Wheel Clubs and local Golf Clubs and other organisations. This interaction with the local community continues to be so important enabling her to discuss the work of Isabel Hospice and the care given to patients and their families.

Barbara says “The patient and families are at the heart of everything we do. Isabel Hospice has now been caring for this community for over 40 years and will continue to support all those in our care with love and compassion”

Clinical Quality and Safety Committee, People Commitee, IHL Services Limited

Claire Jackson is an experienced Senior Nurse with over 25 years of clinical, operational, commissioning, and strategic experience within the NHS. She has held a broad range of operational management and clinical leadership roles, with a strong track record in leading services, improving quality, and supporting teams to deliver safe, compassionate care. Claire currently serves as the Chair of the Clinical Quality & Safety Committee, providing strategic oversight and assurance to ensure that high standards of safety, effectiveness, and patient experience are consistently met. Her professional passion centres on patient safety, patient experience, and clinical effectiveness—values deeply aligned with Isabel Hospice’s commitment to delivering outstanding, person‑centred palliative and end‑of‑life care for local communities. Claire is driven by a belief that every individual should receive care that is dignified, compassionate, and tailored to what matters most to them and their loved ones. Outside of work, Claire enjoys walking with her family and is a keen baker, finding balance and joy in time outdoors and in the kitchen.

Helen took up this role from 1^st March 2020. Helen, who originally trained as a nurse has held many roles within the health sector, including the NHS, the Department of Health, private and charity sectors. She joined Isabel as a Trustee in 2016 and for a period of 5 months became Interim CEO before returning to the voluntary role of Vice Chair on the Board. Helen currently is a non-executive director at Princess Alexander Hospital NHS Trust, and lives in Bishop’s Stortford with her family. Helen has stepped down as a Trustee and a new Vice Chair to the Board will be appointed in due course.

Clinical, Quality and Education Committee, People Committee

Ozlem currently works for the NHS in Hertfordshire, and has worked in the NHS for the last eight years. Before this Ozlem was working in higher education, undertaking a doctorate degree in Law. She has lived in Hertfordshire for over twenty years, and is a keen supporter of Isabel Hospice. In her spare time she enjoys travelling, the theatre and spending time with friends and family.

Clinical, Quality & Education Committee, Fundraising and Marketing

Renata has a background in the Pharmaceutical Industry with more than 30 years’ experience in the scientific development, regulatory approval, and commercialisation of new medicines. She started her career as an academic researcher studying heart disease at St Thomas’s Hospital, London prior to joining a Swiss global Pharma company where she worked in R&D developing several new drugs across all areas including influenza and cancer. Renata’s most recent role was at Cancer Research UK managing their portfolio of new cancer drugs in development. Renata is also a trustee of the PTEN Research Foundation, holds several Scientific advisor roles, and is a member of the Policy and Communications Committee of the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine.

People Committee, Finance & Risk Committee, IHL Services Board

Fern has dedicated more than 20 years to voluntary service, complementing senior management roles in the global charity and legal sectors. In her professional work, Fern specialises in business transformation and communication, with a particular focus on the human impact of organisational culture, design, and change. Fern brings extensive experience in compliance and project management, ensuring that transformation delivers both strategic impact and people-centred outcomes. Beyond professional life, Fern has a deep love of travel and feels fortunate to have experienced many cultures worldwide. She was also a dedicated dog foster parent for many years, reflecting a lifelong commitment to care and community.

Finance and Risk Committee, Isabel Hospice Trading Board

Now retired, Ian is a qualified accountant who served as Company Secretary on the Board of the Kwik Fit Group. He has extensive experience in corporate growth in the wholesale, retail and manufacturing sectors; being a member of strategic teams leading organisational change and development. Combining strong analytical and communication skills with sound commercial acumen, he implemented robust and lasting solutions. Ian also led the regulatory and group compliance teams, managing the Legal, Health & Safety, Data, Internal Audit and Quality functions. Ian now volunteers as an Isabel Hospice Trustee and with the Canal & River Trust. To relax, Ian is a member of Trent Park Running Club

Chair of Trading Company Board, Finance and Risk Commitee, People Commitee

Ian is the Bursar for an independent boarding school in Hertfordshire, this role includes responsibility for the financial affairs of the School as well as a wide variety of matters such as Governance, Risk, IT and Health and Safety. His move to the Education Sector was built upon a first career as an engineer in the British Army and then as an entrepreneur in South Africa where he owned and operated a small chain of stores as well as an online trading business.  He is a Chartered Engineer and a qualified Accountant.

Fundraising & Marketing Committee, People Committee, Isabel Hospice Trading Board

Jan Marchant is a seasoned leader in UK retail fashion with over 40 years’ experience across the high-street sector. She began her career in fashion at Topshop before joining Tesco in the early 2000s. At Tesco she held a series of senior roles in F&F before being appointed chief executive of the F&F clothing division in 2020 and later managing director of home and clothing. During her nearly two decades at Tesco she helped shape the F&F brand and drive product strategy across clothing and lifestyle ranges. She retired from Tesco in 2025 after more than 20 years with the company.

People Committee, Finance and Risk Committee, IHL Services Limited

John has been a resident of Hertfordshire for over thirty years, He is a practising company secretary and solicitor and has worked at the top of some of the UK’s largest companies in a wide variety of sectors, including FMCG, hotels & restaurants, financial services and industrial & medical technology. He has a keen interest in pragmatic good governance, building high performing teams and helping his colleagues achieve their maximum potential. In his spare time, he enjoys walking, most team sports, safaris and other nature based holidays. He lives in Welwyn Hatfield with his wife and their two cats.

Clinical Quality and Safety Committee, Fundraising and Marketing

Lisa has a background in Fundraising and Marketing and was the Director of Fundraising and Public Relations at Isabel Hospice between July 2006 and March 2016.  Currently Lisa’s day job is being the Central Bedfordshire Council Place Programme Manager where her responsibilities include overseeing the Community Grants Programme.

Lydia Hopley joined Isabel Hospice on a permanent basis in January 2022, having led the People Team on an Interim basis since February 2020. Lydia has a wide range of HR leadership experience across the Hospice sector and beyond and has worked as an HR Consultant and Coach for 7 years.  Lydia has a particular interest in workplace culture and has a master’s degree in Personnel and Development (MCIPD), is a qualified mediator and an experienced Executive Coach.

Finance and Risk Committee, Trading Company Board

Melanie has had an extensive career in retail for over 25 years. She has broad experience and had held a number of roles covering commercial functions including Buying, Merchandising, Trading, Ecommerce and Marketing.  Melanie joined Isabel Hospice to channel her experience into an organisation whose mission genuinely matters, and where her skills could help strengthen its impact. She lives in Hertfordshire with her partner and young daughter.

Michael has considerable charity experience having worked with charities while self employed as a chartered accountant and charity finance consultant, and more recently held posts of Director/Head of Finance roles with Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust and Groundwork East. In these roles Michael’s portfolio has included Finance, Digital/IT, Estate and Facilities and Health and Safety.

Isabel Hospice Trading Board, Finance and Risk Committee, IHL Services Limited

Terry is currently the Town Clerk for Ware Town Council, and has worked in the local government and Charity sector for the past 15 years.  Prior to this he was Managing Director for an award winning retailer following a number of senior management appointments with WH Smith. In his spare time Terry enjoys world travel and has a personal ambition to watch live or participate in 50 different sports. He lives in Hertfordshire with his partner Sue.