Meet the team
At Rotherham Hospice
Our dedicated team
Meet our dedicated team who work very hard to look after our patients, their families and friends.
Bruce Warner
Chair of Trustees
Until he retired earlier this year, Bruce was the Deputy Chief Pharmacist for England. He started his career in community pharmacy and co-owned two pharmacies in Sheffield with his wife Julie who is also a pharmacist. In the late 90’s Bruce sold one of the pharmacies and went to work in what was then the Health Authority and was one of the first pharmacists to work in General Practice both in Sheffield and in Rotherham.
At that time he also worked at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield and gained valuable experience in the hospital sector. Bruce then went on to work in academia and undertook his doctorate at the University of Derby with his research being in ’medication error’. That research led to Bruce’s first national job at the National Patient Safety Agency working on how to make taking medication safer and eventually being responsible for all of the clinical output of the agency.
In 2014 Bruce was appointed as the Deputy Chief Pharmacist for England with a particular focus on intermediate and primary care. He is also a Visiting Professor in Pharmacy Practice at the University of Huddersfield and an Honorary Professor of Pharmacy Practice and Policy at Nottingham University where he is currently undertaking a research project on pharmacist prescribing.
Bruce and Julie have three grown up children and live in Sheffield with their rescue dog Sonny.
Julie Gill
Trustee
For over 25 years, Julie worked as Company Secretary and Executive Director – Operations for a South Yorkshire health insurance company. She brings a wealth of strategic, operational management and board-level committee membership experience accrued within a constantly changing and highly regulated financial services sector environment.
Her wide span of responsibilities included managing multi-million pound business critical transformation and investment projects, driving forward an award-winning customer service to maximise effectiveness and efficiency in its delivery, as well as being Honorary Secretary to the company’s charitable fund.
Her other interests have included being a school Governor, working as a Director/Trustee of a local homeless charity; being a member of the Joint Independent Audit Committee for South Yorkshire Police and the Crime Commissioner Office; holidays in the sun; spending time with her family both in Sheffield and up north; running/walking and socialising with friends.
Nick Brushett
Trustee
Nick is currently the Head of Operations at The Kings Active Foundation, a children’s not-for-profit organisation whose mission is to get children active, having fun and learning together.
Born in Bradford, West Yorkshire, Nick schooled in Skipton at Ermysted’s Grammar School before attending Loughborough University where he studied English and Sports Science. On graduating, Nick joined Marriott Hotels, completing their Management Training programme. In 2009, Nick moved to Africa where he spent 4 years setting up sports camps for children in South Africa and Botswana whilst supporting the Outreach work delivered by the Kings Active Foundation to those in need. Nick spent a further 4 years in Executive Recruitment with Robert Walters, Johannesburg, before returning to the UK to take up his current role.
Rukhsana Ismail
Trustee
Rukhsana has worked in the charity sector for over 14 years supporting victims of Domestic Abuse and Human Trafficking. She started her career journey by volunteering for a charity where she found a sense of purpose by supporting others. She later became CEO of the charity, allowing her to stay connected to the community and motivating her to support the vulnerable in our society.
Rukhsana is also the Local Councillor for Eastwood appointed in 2021, a member of Improving Lives Select Commission, a magistrate in South Yorkshire and a member of the South Yorkshire Police and Crime Panel and Budget Working Group.
Rukhsana has in-depth knowledge and experience within multiple levels of governance and strategic leadership roles which she is honoured to bring to the Hospice as a trustee.
In her free time, Rukhsana enjoys boxing, swimming and walking every morning along Moorgate Road – do say hi if you see her!
James Locking
Trustee
James is currently the Finance Director at Leeds Plywood & Doors Limited (LPD). James has worked in senior financial roles for over 20 years and prior to joining LPD was Chief Financial Officer of Pressure Technologies plc, which is listed on the London Stock Exchange AIM market.
James has a passion for working with people and will bring his background in finance across several industries to support the Hospice and its management team for the future.
James is from and lives in Sheffield and has been married to Victoria for 14 years and they have one son, Noah. As a family they love outdoor walks and when they can to go on seaside holidays, preferably sunny! James is a massive Sheffield United fan (but won’t say too much about that for the moment!).
Karlie Thompson
Trustee
Karlie is currently Associate Director of Communications at Chesterfield Royal Hospital NHS Foundation Trust. She has worked in the NHS and across Local Authorities for 20 years, and before that within private consultancies.
Karlie has worked in operations – managing a team of over 3,000 and a budget of £30m; in transformation and running a programme management office delivering savings against significant financial challenges. Her true passion is communications and engagement and Karlie has a first class degree in Public Relations.
She is a Sheffield girl and has family roots into Rotherham. Karlie enjoys being active, listening to audiobooks, making a real difference to people and focusing on action. She has two small children, six chickens and a cockerel called Jonathan!
Liam Buttery
Trustee
Liam was born and raised in Rotherham, growing up in Wickersley, and attended Wickersley School and Sports College. After completing his education, he took up an apprenticeship with a small accountancy practice in the centre of Rotherham. There, he quickly learned the fundamentals of accounting (including the somewhat unconventional task of listing out invoices that were delivered in bin liners!). 15 years later, with a wealth of knowledge, experience and qualifications, Liam is now a Director at Shorts Chartered Accountants. He works with a diverse range of clients, both locally and internationally.
Liam has a passion for working with charitable organisations, and has spent many years supporting, organising, volunteering, and taking part in endless fundraising activities to help secure the future of those organisations. Liam says “I’m incredibly honoured to be given the opportunity to contribute my time to what is already an amazing charity, and working with a fantastic, dedicated team. Being in the heart of the Rotherham community and knowing firsthand the level of support and care the team provides to families at such a tough period, and how essential this is, was one of the main reasons why I wanted to be involved, and use my time and skills developed in my career so far”.
Liam now lives in Bramley, Rotherham, and is a Rotherham United season ticket holder. Being a keen sportsman, he also plays Ice Hockey for the Sheffield Mavericks IHC. Another passion of Liam’s is to visit, and travel around as many countries across the world as possible!
Gary McCord
Trustee
Garry McCord joined Rotherham Hospice as a Trustee in 2024, bringing over two decades of senior executive experience across industries such as health, energy, and oil and gas.
Born and raised in Rotherham, Garry is deeply passionate about the town and its community. He currently lives in Rotherham with his partner Kara and is a proud father of three sons and grandfather to three grandchildren.
In his professional life, Garry serves as Managing Director of S3 ID Ltd, a leading provider of safety and mustering systems for the oil and gas sector. With a focus on innovation and operational excellence, he has built a career dedicated to delivering impactful, customer-focused solutions.
At the hospice, Garry also chairs the Clinical Quality Sub-Committee, helping to uphold the highest standards of care for patients and their families. He is committed to supporting the hospice’s mission of providing compassionate and dignified care to the Rotherham community.
A keen supporter of Rotherham United, Garry enjoys walking, sailing, and sunny holidays in his free time. He values time with his family and cherishes the opportunity to contribute to the local area.
Stephen Williams (FCMA, CGMA)
Trustee
Stephen is currently the Finance Director for Shared Services at Capita Plc, an international business process outsourcing company. With over a decade of experience in financial leadership roles, Stephen has a strong track record in optimizing operational performance and building high-performing teams across multi-site and multi-national locations.
Stephen has led strategic reviews and delivered significant cost savings, including over £2 million through the optimization of management accounts and group finance capabilities. He has also implemented technology improvements that enhanced Finance Processes.
He is passionate about team engagement and development, having established a mentor scheme and succession planning that significantly improved employee net promoter scores. He is currently pursuing a master’s degree in Accountancy at UCL.
Stephen lives in Sheffield, with his wife and 2 daughters. He enjoys staying active, socialising with friends and spending time with family.
Louise Slater
Trustee
Louise brings a unique blend of expertise from both the medical and legal fields. After earning her qualification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, she excelled in her field but was compelled to make a career shift due to health concerns arising from working in a chemically intensive environment. Though it meant stepping away from her PhD studies and the profession she loved, Louise embraced a new challenge and transitioned into law.
While studying part-time, Louise qualified as a solicitor in 2001. Her dedication and skill eventually led to her appointment as HM Coroner in 2008, a role she continues to fulfil with integrity and compassion.
A longtime supporter of Rotherham Hospice, Louise has a deep personal connection to the organisation. She experienced the exceptional care provided to a close family member, and her unwavering commitment to the Hospice reflects her belief in the importance of compassionate end-of-life care.
Katie Haddad
Trustee
Katie is currently National Philanthropy manager for MHA, the largest charity care provider in the UK. She has worked in the health sector as a professional fundraiser for nearly 10 years across a range of charities including hospices, a medical research charity and Sheffield Hallam University.
Katie specialises in fundraising through Trusts and Foundations, Corporate Partnerships and major gift fundraising.
Katie says, “I am very proud to be volunteering for Rotherham Hospice as a Trustee. The hospice movement is very close to my heart as I have experienced the excellent support and high standards of care when members of my family have been cared for in a hospice at their end of life.”
Katie lives in Sheffield, has 3 children and loves to play tennis, walk her 2 dogs and entertain and cook for family and friends.
Natalie Sheldon
Trustee
Natalie is a partner at a leading national law firm, specialising in Wills, Probate, Tax and Trusts. With extensive experience in her field, she is known for her professionalism and commitment. Natalie is also a qualified member of the Society of Trusts and Estates Practitioners.
Having grown up in Rotherham, Natalie values her strong local roots and the sense of community that comes with them. She takes pride in helping individuals and families across the region navigate important decisions with care and compassion.
Outside of work, Natalie enjoys quality time with her family and two young children, balancing a busy professional life with the priorities that matter most. When she isn’t involved in the kids’ activities, she enjoys hiking in the peaks, painting and running with her local club, Kimberworth Striders.
Natalie’s practical approach and compassionate dedication make her a trusted advisor and a valued member of the community.
Natalie was motivated to become a trustee to give back to the local community. She has seen firsthand how the hospice assists so many and wants to use her skills to help drive the new strategic plans of the charity.
How can you help?
There are many ways you can support us, whether it be through holding an event, playing in our lottery, volunteering, or donating!
