Mark Smith

CEO

Mark is the Chief Executive of Naomi and Jack's, hospice for children and young adults in Winchester. Originally appointed as Director of Fundraising & Communications in 2010, Mark was promoted to Deputy CEO in 2012, Chief Operating Officer in September 2014 and became Chief Executive in July 2015.

Mark has worked in the charity sector for the last 21 years following a commercial career in Financial Services and IT working for Hambro Countrywide, Lloyd’s Abbeylife, BUPA, BSM and ICL/Fujitsu. He was also a founding director of NDI Ltd which later merged with Drive & Survive plc to form a leading group of companies delivering risk management services to the insurance and vehicle fleet markets across Europe.

He joined Barnardo’s as Head of Corporate Fundraising in 2001 and has since held Director of Fundraising & Communications positions at Debra, Anthony Nolan and Prospect Hospice. He has been a member of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising since joining the charity sector and in 2011, was one of the first to complete the Institute’s Diploma in Fundraising qualification. In 2019, he also attended Harvard Business School to undertake the Strategic Perspectives in Non-Profit Management course with charity CEOs from around the world.

Mark was a Trustee of Children’s Hospices UK, through its merger period with ACT to become Together for Short Lives, from December 2010 to December 2013 and is currently a member of their Advisory Council. He has also served as Trustee and Chair of the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee for the national child bereavement charity Winston’s Wish, from 2016 to 2022. Mark lives in Wiltshire with his wife and has two children.

Erika Lispcombe

Director of Care

Erika joined Naomi and Jack's as Director of Care in March 2024. She trained as an adult nurse in Portsmouth before joining Rowans Hospice where she worked in a number of roles including Director of Clinical Services.

Erika brings extensive experience in the hospice movement and actively participates in local, regional and national committees and clinical networks. She led a number of service development projects during her time at Rowans Hospice, including developments within the In-Patient Unit, setting up Living Well Services, a Dementia service, a Hospice at Home service, and Volunteer Companions to support individuals at home.

Erika holds an MA in Health and Social Care and is pursuing a part-time PhD focusing on factors that influence patients’ preferences for place of death, further demonstrating her dedication to palliative care.

Paul Morgan

Director of Fundraising and Communications

Paul grew up in Europe and Africa. Following successful completion of a Master’s degree in International Relations, Paul spent time living and working with an International Maritime NGO in Rotterdam and then to New Orleans. The first-hand experience of seeing charities and NGO’s deliver positive outcomes for people on the margins of society propelled Paul in to working with charities.

Paul has worked in international, national, regional charities with turnovers ranging from a few tens of thousands of pounds to those raising hundreds of millions of pounds per annum. Paul’s fundraising experience ranges from community and corporate activity through to major gift and statutory fundraising, including challenge events and Royal Gala functions. Paul has worked for Naomi and Jack's since in 2014 and was appointed Head of Fundraising in 2015 and Director of Fundraising & Communications in 2018. 

Paul is married with two young children. In his spare time Paul is volunteer Treasurer for his local church, a Trustee for England and Wales based learning disability charity and a small charity supporting young people in Central London. Most recently Paul is supporting a local CIC helping develop emergency housing for refugees in Ukraine. Paul is also Chair of the Central South group of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising.

Sundae Spiers

Director of People and Culture

Sundae Spiers is the Director of People and Culture, bringing extensive HR experience that combines strategic insight with hands-on leadership across financial services, FMCG, IT, telecommunications, and defence.

She has led major initiatives in people transformation and organisational development, with a particular focus on people services and enhancing the employee experience. She has a proven track record of shaping long-term people strategies while delivering practical solutions that align people practices with business outcomes.

A Fellow of the CIPD, Sundae also holds qualifications in psychometrics, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mental health. Driven by her commitment to making a difference in people’s lives, Sundae is passionate about creating cultures where people feel supported, valued, and able to deliver lasting impact.

Michael Ware

Interim Director of Finance

Michael Ware trained with Britvic Soft Drinks (MBA, FCMA) and has over 30 years’ experience, in international manufacturing and professional services.

His international career has taken him to Australia, Czech Republic, Hong Kong, Singapore, Germany, Holland, Russia, and the USA and covered everything from internal audit to restructuring an international subsidiary.

Upon leaving the Control Risks Group where Michael had financial responsibility for the America’s, Europe and Asia Pacific he has embarked upon a successful interim career ranging from Aviation to a Zoo, - The A to Z of Accounting.

He has previous experience of the Hospice Sector having undertaken assignments at Royal Trinity, (Isabel and Rennie Grove in Hertfordshire ) in addition to 2 children’s Hospices (Demelza in Kent and Rainbows in Leicestershire.

Married with 2 adult daughters.

Andy Meehan

Chairman of the Board of Trustees

Andy is a graduate of Oxford University, a Chartered Accountant and for over 30 years enjoyed an executive career mainly in the retail sector, having had roles as Finance Director and Chief Executive of several companies including Selfridges, Mothercare and Co-operative Retail Services.

Since 2006 he has had a portfolio of chairmanships and non-executive directorships across commercial, public and charity sectors. His charitable appointments have focused mainly on education and health. Prior to recently re-locating to Wiltshire from the Midlands he has been Chair of the Myton Hospices and University Hospitals Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Trust, and is now looking forward to supporting the excellent work of Naomi and Jack's in his new locality.

In addition to Wessex Children's Hospice Trust he is currently chairman of Ramsdens Holdings PLC, Polyco Healthline Group, New English Teas and Shaw Education Trust.

Helen Burrows

People & Culture Chair

Helen Burrows joined the Trustee Board in October 2019 and is the Chair of our People and Culture sub-committee. Helen is an experienced HR professional, and is currently Chief HR Officer for an international business in the automotive sector.  

In addition to her work with Naomi and Jack's, Helen is also a Trustee Director of the BMTA Trust, which is a charitable organisation that focuses on providing welfare grants to people in the automotive sector as well as providing support for Apprentices in the sector. She is also a Governor of Windlesham Village Infants School. 

Michelle Constantinou

Trustee

Michelle is a senior marketer with extensive experience leading brands including SlimFast, Lavazza, Branston Pickle, Bendicks and Werther’s Original, as well as with the disability charity Leonard Cheshire.

Born in the West Country, she moved to Winchester over 20 years ago for her first marketing role. She holds a Business Administration degree from the University of Bath and is passionate about connecting brands with people in meaningful ways and bringing fresh ideas to life.

Alongside her career, Michelle has always been committed to community and volunteering, from teaching English to children in Bali, to supporting her local Brownies group, and being part of a team that runs a social meet-up in Winchester for newcomers and locals alike.

Outside of work, she enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends. She is also a proud and playful auntie to her niece and nephew, and cares deeply about making a positive difference and supporting families.

Julian Cracknell

Trustee

Julian Cracknell is Chief Technology & Information Officer for BAE Systems. Previously, Julian held a number of senior roles in the Company’s cyber security business including the position of Managing Director Applied Intelligence. Julian joined BAE Systems in July 2012.

Prior to joining BAE Systems, Julian worked at Logica in a number of roles including Director of National Security and Business Unit Manager for Defence Systems.

Julian has a First Class Honours Degree in Computer Science from the University of Dundee and is a trustee of Naomi and Jack's.

When not at work Julian enjoys spending time with his wife and two children, reading and keeping fit.

Julie Dawes

Trustee

Julie Dawes is an experienced Chief Nurse, having held previous Board and deputy Board roles in Portsmouth, University Hospital Southampton, Southern Health, Calderdale and Huddersfield; she is currently Chief Nurse and Deputy CEO of Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Julie has a clinical background in Cancer and Palliative Care and is passionate about improving the lives of people.

Julie is married with three children and grandmother to two grandchildren. Among spending time with her family, Julie enjoys walking and sailing.

Jane Ferguson

Trustee

I am an ordinary mum of some extraordinary children. My daughter Amanda attended Naomi House and then Jacksplace for eighteen years. She sadly passed away in April 2017 at the age of twenty eight and a half. This was amazing as she wasn’t expected to make it to her second birthday. They didn’t count on her strength of character and determination.

Through my children I have experience with physical and learning disabilities, non invasive ventilation, tracheostomy care, autism, anxiety and mental health. I have quite a broad skill set without any official qualifications.

My hobbies are cake decorating and paper crafting. I also make memory books and cards among other things.

I am now a support worker in adult mental health, and I love my job.

I became a Trustee of Naomi and Jack's in 2021.

Chris Pearce

Trustee

Having initially trained as a Chartered Accountant, I spent the majority of my career working in a range of finance and general management positions within multinational manufacturing companies, primarily in the automotive and aerospace sectors. I travelled extensively, working in collaboration with colleagues in Europe, the US and China.

In 1997, the company I was working for chose Naomi and Jack's as its nominated charity and I attended its opening. Since then, I have regularly taken part in its annual Clarendon Way walks.

Since retiring, I have enjoyed travelling for pleasure and spending more time walking, gardening and reading. I have been a Trustee at Jane Austen House, am a volunteer warden with the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Wildlife Trust and Chairman of the Winchester Allotment Society.

Robin Hassan

Trustee

Robin is a barrister who acts as General Counsel to a diverse number of SMEs, supporting their senior management in both a strategic and legal function. After starting at the Bar, he spent 20 years as an employed barrister with a large media company, before working with SMEs in 2017. He has three children and is an avid skier, sailor and cyclist in his spare time. 

Rob Simpson

Trustee

Rob is a solicitor and founded Thomas Simpson Solicitors in Winchester in 2006 with a friend. He advises clients on Will, Trusts, Lasting Powers of Attorney and Estate Administration.

In 2019 Rob was appointed as a Judge of the First Tier Tribunal and assigned to the Social Entitlement Chamber. He hears appeals in relation disability related benefits.

Also since 2019 Rob has been appointed as an Assistant Coroner in West Sussex, Brighton & Hove and Hampshire. He directs investigations into deaths and hears inquests.

Rob read European Legal Studies at the University of Kent at Canterbury and the University of Copenhagen before graduating with honours.  He completed his Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of the West of England and moved to Winchester to undertake his training contract with White & Bowker Solicitors. 

Rob spent the first decade of his career as a criminal defence solicitor building a reputation for solid investigative work, giving sound advice and persuasive advocacy skills.

Outside of work Rob tries to find the time to hike and stand-up paddle boarding. However he foolishly decided to renovate a 19^th century cottage and now has no time to do anything else.