Our People
Highland Hospice employs over 200 full and part-time staff across a range of clinical and medical services as well as support functions such as finance, human resources, volunteer co-ordination, facilities, fundraising and retail. We also benefit from the support of nearly 900 volunteers working in the Hospice, in our shops and fundraising in the community.
The Hospice is led by a Chief Executive supported by a Senior Management Team of four and a Lead Clinician. Oversight and strategic direction is provided by a Board of up to 12 trustees drawn from across all parts of the Highlands and bringing a range of skills and experience to their role. The Board provides oversight through a number of governance committees. Trustees serve up to two three year terms and are appointed through an open recruitment process.
To contact the Senior Management Team, Chair or any other Board Member please email Jo Chisholm, Secretary to the CEO and Board on j.chisholm@highlandhospice.org.uk.
Senior Management Team
Lead Clinician
Dr Gordon Linklater
Consultant Physician in Palliative Care
Email:
g.linklater@highlandhospice.org.uk
Board of Trustees
Shona MacDougall
Chair of the Board of Trustees; Member of the Finance Governance Committee; Director of Highland Hospice Trading Ltd
Shona was Director of Environment and Communities at Renfrewshire Council until her retirement in 2018 when she moved to Dornoch with her husband. Shona currently volunteers in the Hospice shop in Dornoch.
Roisin Connolly
Chair of the People Governance Committee
Roisin is currently Manager for Connecting Carers and brings a valuable perspective of the role and challenges for carers supporting loved ones living with palliative and end of life care needs.
Margaret Davidson
Member of the Care Governance Committee
Margaret was Leader of The Highland Council from 2015 until her retirement in 2022. Margaret has a long time interest in health and social care and in supporting local communities to develop services to meet their needs.
William Gilfillan
Deputy Chair of the Board of Trustees; Member of the Care Governance Committee
William worked as Director of Community Services at The Highland Council until June 2019 and now runs his own business. William has personal family experience of Highland Hospice care which he describes as ‘amazing and humbling’ and wants to ensure our support continues across the region for many years to come.
Kathryn Hamling
Member of the Care Governance Committee
Kathryn has a long career in palliative care working as a Macmillan Nurse in Lochaber and until her retirement in 2020, as Head of Clinical Services here at Highland Hospice. Kathryn also volunteers in our retail warehouse and Falcon Square shop.
Dr Shona Macbryer
Member of the People Governance Committee
Shona is a retired clinical psychologist who worked with people with life-limiting illness and brings an appreciation of the physical, psychological, cognitive and financial issues they face.
Peter Mearns
Chair of the Finance Governance Committee; Director of Ness Islands Railway Ltd
Peter is a Chartered Accountant who retired as Senior Partner in the Inverness office of EY in 2015.
Dr Sara Ramsey
Chair of the Care Governance Committee; Director of Ness Islands Railway Ltd
Sara is a Consultant Urologist at Raigmore Hospital. As well as working within a specialty where her patients can benefit from the support of Highland Hospice, Sara also has a wider personal interest in the running of the Hospice.
Roy Templeton
Member of the Finance Governance Committee
Having had an extensive career with BBC Scotland, latterly as Senior Head of Communications, Roy brings extensive media experience to support the Hospice as we engage our communities to act as partners in the delivery of new services.
Dr Maria Wybrew
Member of the Care Governance Committee
Maria is a General Practitioner at the Princes Street Surgery in Thurso and brings first-hand experience of working with palliative care patients in the community.