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Our Board of Governors are volunteers who give their time, adapt their skills and apply their experience to ensure proper governance of our charity. They offer invaluable advice and expertise, and each give significant amounts of time each year to help St Columba’s deliver the best in person-centred, palliative care.
I have over 35 years’ experience as a charity lawyer and first became involved when providing legal advice to St Columba’s Hospice Care. I was subsequently appointed as a Governor and it is a privilege to be able to use my skills and experience to support such a caring, creative and innovative organisation. It is a particular honour to now be Chair of the Board of Governors.
I became a Governor because I wanted to help St Columba’s continue to be a success and be part of its exciting plans for the future.
I was appointed a Governor in 2017, shortly after retiring from a career in financial services. I qualified as an actuary in 1983 and then focused on various aspects of investment and investment advice.
It is a privilege to have the opportunity to apply my experience as a member of the Investment Committee to the oversight of St Columba’s investments.
I have been a consultant physician in Medicine of the Elderly and Stroke Medicine at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh for over 20 years and was honoured to be asked to join the Board of Governors of St Columba's Hospice Care.
Having worked alongside staff from the Hospice, I have seen the direct positive impact their compassionate and person-centred care has. I look forward to supporting them in any way I can as they continue to reach out to those in need.
Since retiring as a professional accountant I have served on the Board of several charities, mainly in areas of health and social care. I became a Governor of the Hospice in 2015 and bring strong practical experience in public sector accounting, accountability, audit and risk.
I am also a non-voting citizen representative on Edinburgh Integrated Joint Board and a non executive Board Member of a number of other organisations.
For over 30 years I have been an oncologist treating breast cancer, mostly at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Throughout that time I have been an active clinical researcher, designing and conducting studies to improve the outlook for patients with breast cancer at all stages of their journey. I also had a life prior to becoming a doctor as a secondary school teacher, so have long had an interest in both research and teaching. This role however is my first experience as a Governor of charity…..but I am enjoying the opportunity.
I joined the board in 2017 and have over 30 years experience in business and retail. I recently retired from my role as General Manager at Harvey Nichols, a position I held for 10 years.
It's a privilege to advise on the board of an organisation that does such vital work in our community.
I have been a first level registered nurse for over 40 years. During that time I have held clinical, educational, senior managerial, regulatory, quality assurance and government advisory roles. I have also held corporate governance roles with the Scottish Social Services Council and the General Teaching Council for Scotland.
I became involved with the Hospice in 2017, initially as a volunteer within the clinical governance team. I then worked in operational support of the quality assurance function between 2019 and 2021, focusing on patient safety and quality. I was appointed as a Governor in 2021 and it is a privilege to be part of the corporate governance framework at St Columba’s Hospice Care.
As a Chartered Accountant I have worked in a variety of sectors including with several charities, all with social benefits as their focus, hence my interest in the Hospice. I became a Governor in 2022 and sit on both the Audit & Risk, and Investment committees as I have a wealth of experience in corporate finance, risk management and governance.
Almost all the work I advised on whilst with my previous firm was related to social improvement, whether that was financing new schools, hospitals or other infrastructure. I have always worked on projects and for companies where there were tangible benefits to society. I currently sit on the Boards of two grouped schools projects as their Independent Director and one as Chairman, so my commitment to social responsibility continues.
I am proud to be part of the team that is driving the Hospice forward and I really enjoy working with the wonderful staff and volunteers who make such a difference to patients and their families at difficult times in their lives.
David Dunsire, Chair of the Board of Governors
Many volunteers may be put off by common assumptions about what a Hospice is like. Everyone who comes to the Hospice says it is bright and airy, welcoming, friendly … and nothing like they expected. Whether in our Hospice, our shops or out in the community, we want everyone to feel welcomed, heard and respected, and we’re looking for volunteers keen to be part of that.
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