22. Stephen Baynard

Stephen Baynard joined the Board of Trustees at Weldmar Hospicecare in January 2011. By the end of 2014 he was Chairman, a position he has held ever since.

With a history in corporate finance, Stephen was the Chief Executive of a very large travel retailer and oversaw the biggest rebrand the UK had ever seen. He initially joined the Board to give advice on how to expand the charity’s already successful retail operation.

“I wouldn’t call myself outspoken,” Stephen explains, “but I have always been able to speak out about things. I don’t see being Chairman as purely a tick box exercise, even if it’s a non executive role. I’ve seen it as more altruistic and I’ve always felt that I could make a contribution, but at all times understanding the role of a trustee instead of a paid executive.”

Stephen says he’s particularly proud of building a great team around him to take the charity forward: “If there is one decision I’ve made that was the best for this organisation, it was recruiting Caroline Hamblett as the CEO. That was the first thing I did as Chairman, and we’ve worked very well together over the years. Also, we’ve appointed a very strong and dedicated board of trustees that have been hard working and long serving, covering a whole range of disciplines, They have become very good Chairs of their own board sub-committees. I have encouraged people, and been a good mentor. That’s a two way thing, because I learn from them too.”

Stephen is proud of the progress that Weldmar has made under his stewardship. “We’ve kept pace with changes in the NHS, which hasn’t been easy. We’ve substantially grown the value of the organisation in financial terms, and have excellent reserves. We’ve strengthened the charity, and secured it for the future. I think Weldmar can be misunderstood – some people know us just for our shops, instead of our Inpatient Unit and other services in the community, and there’s work going on to improve that.”

“I’m very honoured to be Chairman of Weldmar Hospicecare, and privileged to have played a part in it.”