The business of The Mulberry Centre is governed by the Trustees. The Trustees are all volunteers and work as a team to ensure that within the group there is a diverse range of skills, talents and backgrounds.  The current trustee body includes: skills and knowledge in providing services in the voluntary sector; fundraising; clinical experience as health professionals caring for cancer patients; and operational management − particularly finance, law and marketing/PR.

The Trustees meet regularly (approximately 6 times a year) and are responsible for determining the policies and strategic direction of The Mulberry Centre in consultation with the Executive Director. They are also very involved on a day to day level with the Centre and take part in fundraising and events.

Prospective appointments to the Trustee Board are considered and determined by a panel consisting of three existing Board members (one of whom must be the Chairman) and the Executive Director.

Aileen McLeish (Chair of Trustees)

Aileen McLeish joined as the Chair of Trustees of The Mulberry Centre in November 2020. Aileen brings a wealth of business experience, particularly in healthcare management and the not for profit sector, including a significant length of time as Chair of Ashford and St Peter’s Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. Commenting on her recent appointment Aileen said she is delighted to be joining the team at The Mulberry Centre. She is impressed by the range and quality of support provided to cancer patients and others and is looking forward to working with colleagues to ensure the Centre continues to be valued by the people and communities it serves.

Heather Taylor (Treasurer)

Heather has been a Trustee of The Mulberry Centre since April 2018 and has been the Treasurer since July 2019. Heather is a Chartered Accountant, and spent her career working for PricewaterhouseCoopers in the UK and overseas, and she has a lot of financial and operational experience. Since retiring and returning to the UK in 2014, Heather is now also a director of her Residents Association.

‘’We all have friends and family affected by cancer, and it’s often difficult to find good support. The Mulberry Centre is a real oasis of calm, with great staff and volunteers who provide fantastic support in so many ways. I want to support the continued success and growth of our wonderful Mulberry Centre.’’

Chris Bezant

Chris was brought up in Kent and moved to Chiswick in 1979 to take up a role as Trainee Assistant Film Editor at the BBC Film studios in Ealing. After working on a wide range of programmes, Chris left the BBC in 1990 to pursue a career as a freelance broadcast video editor working on documentaries and children’s programmes. In 2013 Chris set up Chiswickbuzz, an online video channel featuring news, events, and personalities in the local area. It was this that introduced him to the work of The Mulberry Centre.

“My father died of cancer in 1997 and I’ve been struck by the number of friends and neighbours who have also been diagnosed with the disease,” he said. “When I first researched the Mulberry Centre, I was immediately touched by the love and care shown to cancer patients and their families. The calm and supportive atmosphere, coupled with the range of information and activities makes the Mulberry Centre an oasis of compassion, understanding and companionship. It’s a huge privilege to be able to support and contribute to the work of The Mulberry, as a Trustee.”

Inspired by his interest in Dementia care, Chris has recently trained as an NLP (Neuro Linguistic Programming) Master Practitioner and has also trained as a professional life coach on an accredited International Coach Federation course. He looks forward to using this knowledge, coupled with his background in media, to the benefit of The Mulberry Centre.

Grace Gibbs

Grace was appointed as a Trustee of The Mulberry Centre in March 2013; although she was involved with the Centre since its conception when she was a West Middlesex Hospital Executive Board member and as an early fundraiser. Grace has worked as a healthcare management consultant since 2004. During this she has had worked in Nicosia, Cyprus, commissioning the new Ministry of Health Hospital as well as in Muscat, Oman, carrying out healthcare transformational projects. She has also undertaken similar projects in the NHS and private sector. Grace has worked in the NHS for almost 40 years. Having started her career with conventional nurse training she went on to become Director for Nursing and Midwifery, Clinical Director for Critical Care and subsequently Deputy Chief Executive at West Middlesex University Hospital.

“ I fully understand the importance of contributing to the development of the Mulberry Centre and the work it does to make a difference to the lives of those in our local community, who are affected by cancer. I felt honoured to be invited to become a Trustee and have been privileged to work alongside the team who have influenced and led the services we offer to people, making it the success if is.”

Matt Winkler

Matt joined the Trustees of The Mulberry Centre in 2013. He sees a main priority of his involvement being to facilitate successful links between the oncology departments at WMUH and The Mulberry Centre to stimulate use, raise awareness and improve access to our support. Matt is head of the department of Urology and lead urology cancer surgeon at the West Middlesex. He also leads the prostate cancer services at Charing Cross, Imperial, and chairs the prostate specialist multidisciplinary meeting of the north west London cancer network. Matt is author of numerous peer reviewed publications and investigator and the collaborator of several prostate cancer studies.

Piers Allen

Piers became a trustee of The Mulberry Centre in August 2022. He has been an elected Councillor for West Twickenham ward in LB Richmond upon Thames since 2006 and is currently the Council’s Lead Member for Adult Social Care and Health and Chair of the Richmond Health & Wellbeing Board. Piers has a background in medical publishing and medical communications, including oncology medical research and clinical practice developments and a strong ongoing interest in cancer research and cancer support services. He is a long-serving member on the governing body of a local primary school in Twickenham and served for 5 years as a Trustee/Director of the Richmond Music Trust. His also serves on the Council of Governors for Kingston Hospital Foundation Trust.

Piers said: “There can be few families that haven’t been affected by cancer, but not all will have received the invaluable support that The Mulberry Centre offers for those living in our part of SW London. I am keen to see The Mulberry Centre become even better known for all its services and to help ensure a strong partnership with the new Integrated Care Systems across London, including hospitals, primary care, social care, and the voluntary and community sector.”

Dr Gayatri Shah

Gayatri joined as a trustee of The Mulberry Centre in 2023. She is a counselling psychologist and holds a doctorate in Psychotherapy and Counselling Psychology. She has over 20 years of experience working with severe and enduring mental health, domestic violence, trauma and substance misuse, she also has experience of working as part of multicultural environments with individuals of all ages of their lifespan. She is registered with the HCPC as a Counselling Psychologist, and she is also registered with the British Psychological Society as a Chartered Counselling Psychologist. She has trained as an Eye Movement Desensitisation Response (EMDR) practitioner with the EMDR Europe Association and is also trained in carrying out specialist assessments such as the SCID D for individuals with Dissociative Identity Disorder. Gayatri is currently working as a Consultant Chartered Counselling Psychologist overseeing the Community Mental Health Recovery Service East Locality Surrey and Borders Trust. Where her role involves developing the clinical and counselling psychology workforce in providing services within the Trust, considering changes and developments in line with the Trust Clinical Strategy and reflecting national and local demands. She is responsible for providing leadership for the delivery of highly specialist psychological therapy services to adults with severe and enduring mental health, and provides expert clinical assessments, treatment, and a direction of care function for clients.

Gayatri said: “Working in the field of mental health for the past 22 years I hope to offer my skills and experience as a Trustee. I am enthusiastic about the work of The Mulberry Centre and will support the organisation in making a difference by helping those affected by cancer and their carers. This role also holds a personal meaning for me as I have seen loved ones affected by cancer, hence I am pretty passionate about supporting individuals, families, and carers affected by this.”

Jacqueline Docherty DBE

Jacqueline joined as a trustee of The Mulberry Centre in 2023. She previously worked in the NHS predominantly as a nurse and subsequently as the Chief Executive at West Middlesex University Hospital (2009 – 2015) and then as Chief Executive of London North West University NHS Trust (2015 – 2020) until her retirement in 2020.

Jacqueline brings a wealth of experience having been Acting Chief Executive at King’s College NHS Foundation Trust from 2008-2009 and Executive Director of Nursing and Operations at King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust from 1996-2008. She was also the first joint appointment with the Management Executive and the Department of Health at the Scottish Office from 1992 -1996. This role involved visiting the 15 Scottish Health Boards to assess their progress with quality and clinical governance. Jacqueline was appointed a Dame of the British Empire (DBE) in 2014 for services to the NHS and Nursing, and she also holds a Master of Business Administration (1991) from Caledonian University and is a Gold Medallist for being the Best Nurse in theory and practice (1988). She was also a member of the Territorial Army, 205 Scottish General Hospital for 1986 to 1992, attaining the prestigious rank of Major/Deputy Matron at the time of leaving.

Jacqueline said: “In my roles to date, I have been fortunate to have worked both in Britain and for short periods in other counties learning about their health care provision and also as an advisor in terms of hospital management and clinical development. As I have now retired from working within the NHS, I am particularly keen to be involved with the Mulberry Centre and having previously had cancer myself, I can empathise and relate to the clients at the centre within my role as a Trustee.”

Nigel George TEP

Nigel joined as a trustee of The Mulberry Centre in 2023. Nigel is currently a partner at Garner & Hancock solicitors in Isleworth, where he heads up the Life Planning Department, he is also a Death Café facilitator and a Dementia Champion. Nigel lives between Isleworth and Suffolk and is married with two adult children and a very lively Labrador called Roly. He likes to cook good food, drink nice wines, walk and when he has the time write fiction.

Nigel said: “I have worked in the legal profession for nearly half a century. I began my legal career when I was 16 and I qualified as a solicitor when I was 24. During my time as a lawyer, I have worked in most areas of law, but in the last 10-15 years of my career, I have developed an interest in end-of-life care and dementia. These are both areas which are very material to my current legal practice. Since 2014, when I became a member of the Society of Trust and Estates Practitioners, I have dealt exclusively in what has been described as life’s two certainties of death and taxes. Unfortunately, we still live in a society where both death and capacity are often treated as the elephant in the room. I don’t think this is due to a lack of compassion, but more a lack of knowledge and understanding Many people fear saying the wrong thing and do not appreciate that the greatest wrong is to say nothing. The more we can explain the smaller the elephant. When I was first shown around the Mulberry Centre, I was very much taken by the holistic approach, and I try and bring the same approach to dealing with my own clients. The knowledge and understanding that I have obtained relating to death and dementia, I hope makes me a better solicitor. As a lawyer I have sought to reach out to the elderly, LGBTQ, and transgender community, and offer them a warm and safe space in which they can obtain legal advice. I like to consider myself as someone whose glass is perpetually half full and therefore if you have days to live or a closing window of capacity, I will always encourage all those coming to terms with such matters to try and live with joy as well as with sadness.”

Paul Dunn

Paul became a trustee of The Mulberry Centre in 2024 and continues to dedicate his time as a valued volunteer. As a skilled Reiki practitioner, he offers three hours of therapy to our clients each week, having also previously shared his expertise as a Tai Chi instructor. Paul brings with him over twenty years of experience in complementary therapy, including practices like Tai Chi and Chi Kung. His dedication to our mission, through his hands-on involvement in therapy sessions, has provided him with a deep understanding of the Centre and the community we serve.

In addition to his work as a therapist, Paul has a rich background in spiritual leadership, having previously served as a Vicar. This unique experience gives him a well-rounded perspective on service, empathy, and leadership and qualities that align with the core values we uphold as a charity.

Richard Martin

Richard retired in the summer of 2023 after a career of 40+ years in Human Resources. He started work in the NHS immediately after graduation, and after moving to London in the 80’s was able to develop my career which included working for a number of global businesses in the Electronics, Construction, Steel & Maritime sectors. In his last role was as the HRD for Lloyds Register’s Marine & Offshore business, which had revenues of £500m and operated from more that 100 locations around the world. He became interested in the Mulberry Centre following a discussion with Michelle Wheeler and immediately realised the value of the service it offers.

Richard said ” I started to volunteer supporting fund raising activities and have been impressed by everyone I have met. My interest in supporting people diagnosed with cancer followed my own experiences after diagnosis & treatment in 2021. I have previously acted as a Trustee of 2 pension schemes and am currently a Director of the Estate Management Company that runs the estate I live on. I undertake voluntary work as a School Mentor and have been active in promoting men’s health at my rugby club. I am both proud and delighted to have been appointed as a Trustee and look forward to being able to support the critical work we are doing. The role of The Mulberry Centre is vital in helping to deal with the growing numbers of people with a cancer diagnosis, and supporting them through their treatment journey.”

Dalvinder (Del) Randhawa

Born in Hillingdon and raised in Southall and Hayes, Del left home to pursue a media career in London, which he continues today. After moving to St Margarets in the 90s (his first child was born in West Middlesex Hospital), he relocated to East Sussex in 2007 to lead a new media department at an ad agency before founding his own agency, FIVEfoot8, now celebrating its 10th year. With nearly 40 years in media across startups to multinational agencies, he has co-founded and sat on the boards of a few major companies including Mediacom and Astus and worked with clients from global brands to government leaders. Del’s charity involvement includes the RBL Poppy Appeal, Pancreatic Cancer, and board-level work with The London Lighthouse.

Del said, “My connection to The Mulberry Centre began with my mother’s diagnosis of stomach cancer through to her passing; I experienced firsthand the care and loving support the Mulberry Centre showed my mother and family. It inspired me to offer pro bono support to the Centre through my agency. Outside of work, I’m a Chelsea FC season ticket holder, play racket sports, support local businesses, and have served as vice chair of the local football club. I am truly honoured to be a trustee of TMC a unique community-based charity helping all those affected by cancer. I have witnessed the wonderful care, friendship, guidance, and fund raising the delightful team undertake and in these very difficult and challenging times for all charities, I want to make sure and continue to spread the word of the great services offered at this oasis in the heart of West London”.

Nina Singh

Nina is an experienced Chief People Officer with over 20 years’ experience of working within complex healthcare settings and in multi-site organisations. She has worked in healthcare in the UK and the United States. She has been part of several Trust Boards in the NHS, a member of the NHS Pensions Board and a ‘lay’ member of the School of Medicine for the Royal College of Medicine.

Nina said “During my career I have won several awards for leading innovations in HR practice. I have previous experience of working with a cancer charity and am delighted to be a Trustee. My interest in working with the Mulberry Centre is rooted in a personal connection dating back to when the Centre was first established as an independent charity. I have seen firsthand the positive impact of the Centre on those affected by a cancer diagnosis and in working with its local communities. I am delighted to have an opportunity to contribute to the vital work of the Mulberry Centre. “