David became a Trustee in 2006. After chairing the Finance and Investments Committee, he was appointed Chair of Trustees in 2021.

David qualified as a chartered accountant in the 1970’s, having been articled with a Gloucester firm that was acquired by Deloitte, Haskins and Sells. He moved out of practice soon after qualifying to join the Velcourt Group, where he was an executive director for many years, and is now a non-executive director. David has a vast experience of commercial and corporate arenas in the UK and around the world.

David holds other non-executive positions. He is also a Parish Councillor and passionate about the Herefordshire countryside.

David has lived in Brampton Abbotts for over 30 years with his wife, Cornelia. David and Cornelia have two sons, James and Patrick

Eric Drummond became a Trustee in 2020.
Since 1979 he has been involved within the agricultural industry throughout the UK. The main output is poultry, fruit and arable farming which now involves two of his four sons.

Eric is involved with a number of other diverse businesses which includes a private storage firm with units throughout the UK, and a property business run by his other two sons who all live within the county.

While originally from Scotland, Eric’s says his family enjoys everything the county has to offer.
He has been a parish councillor for many years and enjoys the countryside and country sports.

Kay became a Trustee in 2014. She came to live in South Herefordshire 43 years ago when her husband became a GP in Much Birch. She is a former teacher who was ordained Priest in 1994. She went on to work as a Sixth Form College Chaplain, a Parish Priest and Cathedral Chaplain before retiring in 2014.

Kay was on General Synod for 15 years, and chaired the GS Business Committee for 5 years while serving on Archbishops’ Council. Having had experience throughout her ministry of the way in which the Hospice can support and transform the lives of the terminally ill and their families, she was very pleased to accept the invitation to become a Trustee.

Born in Surrey, Tricia lived and worked in London before re-locating to Gloucestershire in 2003.
She spent a successful career in Event Management and Marketing working in the advertising, production and sports world. Latterly retrained as an archivist helping companies such as Pernod Ricard substantiate the heritage of their brands.

A long and varied career in Healthcare working across and in the NHS, Private and Commercial sectors locally and nationally. Involved in formulating National Guidelines for specialised care. Contributor to international conferences.

Paul is a GP who has worked in the county for 36 years. He was partner in Ross for 30 years and has latterly worked at Much Birch as a regular locum. He has worked in various roles in medical management and training within the NHS.

In 1986, Paul first visited the fledgling hospice and over the years worked with the education team there.

Paul relaxes by spending time with his family, reading, running and playing five a side football. He also plays in a local band who have delusions of stardom despite their advancing years.

Ian re-joined the board of St Michaels in 2022. He grew up in Herefordshire before moving to London to work in the financial services industry for approximately 20 years. He returned to Herefordshire in 2003 with his family and remains involved in the investment management industry to this day. He is a Member of the Securities Institute. He has a wide range of interests including walking, dogs, skiing and travelling.

Charles Akle is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. He trained in Medicine at Guy’s Hospital in London and researched into transplantation and immunology early in his career, obtaining his Master of Surgery degree.
He was a prominent London-based surgeon and a pioneer in the development of
laparoscopic surgery, helping to train many of today’s excellent surgeons in Europe.
After retiring from clinical practice in 2007, he established and was the founder of a private biopharmaceutical company developing novel immunotherapeutic products.
Dr Akle believes in excellence, legacy, charity, and service to one’s fellow man.

Along with Freda Pearce and Dr Jeff Kramer, Richard was one of the six people who met in his front room in September 1979 to launch the Freda Pearce Foundation; the objective was to raise of funds for and to plan St Michael’s Hospice. He was a member of the Foundation until it merged with the Hospice Trust. He retired as a trustee in 2014.

Richard came to Hereford in 1963. He worked as a houseman at Hereford County Hospital for a year. He then entered general practice at Moorfield House Surgery where he developed an interest in end of life care. He retired in 1994.

He remains deeply committed to the Hospice and was made a Life Patron in 2018.

Alister started offering his experience to St Michael’s as a volunteer in the gardens and then became a trustee. He was on the board of trustees for 17 years, 11 as Chair, and made an incredible contribution to the Hospice. Further to his work as a trustee, Alister owns Hereford-based estate agency Stooke Hill & Walshe and as a hobby, he runs a small farm.

In 2021, Alister stepped down as a trustee and was awarded the title of Life Patron in honour of his support and commitment to St Michael’s.

Jeff was one of six people including Freda Pearce and Dr Richard Miller who were the prime movers in getting the Herefordshire Hospice started in 1979. He served as Chairman of the Freda Pearce Foundation and then President until the Foundation joined with the Hospice Trust to form the current charity.

Jeff came to Hereford in 1970 as the first consultant in Haematology to the Herefordshire Health Authority and remained until retirement in 1998.

He was made a Life Patron in 2018 in recognition of his dedication, commitment and hard work in founding St Michael’s.