Our Trustees

Geoff joined Age UK Isle of Wight as a Trustee in 2022. Having spent most of his career in teaching, in particular working with young people with additional needs, has also held several headships.  

Geoff maintained an interest in higher education throughout his career and held posts as a tutor on various special needs courses as well as a research Fellowship and carried out work in the field of cognition and learning styles.

Now retired, Geoff enjoys various building projects, sailing, rowing and camping, as well as volunteering for Age UKIW’s Good Neighbour Scheme.

Lorraine was born in London and moved to the Isle of Wight in 2016 having lived in Suffolk for 25 years. She joined Age UKIW as a Trustee in July 2019 and is currently acting as Vice Chair of trustees.

Lorraine has worked at board level in Human Resources roles for the past 20+ years in a variety of business sectors including Adult Social Care, as an HR consultant in a Social Care company before retiring in 2022. Lorraine has also cared for elderly relatives, including someone living with dementia, so she has personal experience of the challenges that face friends and family members in accessing appropriate support.

Lorraine has worked as a volunteer and with volunteers in the past and so has first-hand experience of the very positive difference that volunteers can make in an organisation like Age UKIW. Her time spent working in social care coupled with her personal experiences have made her passionate about the subject of older care and living well in later life. She hopes that her experiences, both in business and personal, will enable her to make a strong contribution in her role as a Trustee.

John became a Trustee of Age UK Isle of Wight in 2023 and is Treasurer and Chair of the Finance & Risk Committee.

John spent over 45 years in finance, initially for 15 years with Citibank and subsequently as Managing Director of a financial consultancy business specialising in interest rate and foreign exchange hedging.  He continues to work as a non-executive director for a family-owned property company in London.

He spends the majority of his time on the Island but also retains a house in London.  His hobbies include tennis, golf, cycling as well as sailing at Seaview Yacht Club, where he was Commodore from 2019 to 2022.

Kay joined Age UK Isle of Wight as a Trustee in 2023, island born, and following her education at Cowes High School, Kay commenced her nurse training in 1978. 

Kay’s nursing career saw her working as a practice Nurse from Sept 1979 and working in the field of health promotion, leading and managing the Island’s Reproductive and Sexual Health Service at St Mary’s hospital from 2006 to 2020. 

During her nursing career her experience and wide knowledge of nursing practice enabled Kay to take up role as Interim Head of Nursing and Clinical Director for the Community Directorate.

Kay’s leadership and management skills were employed as a Studio Manager and Company Secretary for Marriott Design Ltd 11 years, working with her Husband, Brian, where she gained extensive business experience. 

Kay had planned to retire in March 2020 however, since then has been involved a numerous Covid related programmes.  Most recently the Hospital Hub Covid vaccination programme.

Kay was extremely humbled and privileged to have been chosen to be the High Sherriff, for the IOW, for the year 2022/23, she has been a Magistrate since March 2019 and is a volunteer for Northwood House.

Kay is an active member of Isle of Wight Cantata Choir and her hobbies include keeping fit and reading. 

Wendy joined Age UK Isle of Wight as a Trustee in 2023.

Wendy is Island born with a love and passion for all things Isle of Wight, which comes from her generational family roots. Educated on the Island at Carisbrooke High School, beginning her career in Local Government providing insight into delivering services for Island people.

Having spent 39 years in the Financial Services industry in a variety of Leadership roles including work across Hampshire, South Coast and more recently in Community Banking on the Island, Wendy has seen first-hand the impact and challenges faced by older residents as banks evolve, close and adapt in a digital world.

Wendy hopes to use her skills and experience, both professional and personal, to make a positive difference as a Trustee to Age UK Isle of Wight and the Island’s older residents.

Wendy is recently retired and looking to spend a little more time on her hobbies and find new ones. 

Heather was born in Enfield and moved to the Isle of Wight in 2014, having lived in Northampton for 20 years. Heather joined Age UKIW as a Trustee in July 2024.

Heather had a varied business career as a Customer Services Manager, then as a Project Manager for International voter registration, census and examination processing projects, working primarily with customers in Africa.

Previously Heather fulfilled the voluntary role of Chairman of Northampton Bach Choir, working closely with the Committee and Musical Director to progress the development of the choir of 100 singers. Heather trained at the Royal Academy of Music and qualified as a private music teacher, recently training as a choral conductor with Sing for Pleasure. Heather volunteers at Isle of Wight Foodbank and sings with Ave Vita Chamber Choir.

Music can make a very positive difference through reminiscence and in workshops with dementia clients. Heather started her work on the Island with Independent Arts as a Creative Music Practitioner, and delivered 'Singabout' Sessions in East Cowes.

When Heather moved to the Island to care for her parents she had first-hand experience of coping with one parent's blindness through dry macular disease, complicated by dementia, and was living with the remaining parent, supporting them through this challenge for the family. Accessing Age UKIW to assist her father, Heather directly observed the positive impact the charity can have in interacting with older people, recognising the contribution they have to make. Heather's father, at age 90, still volunteered by playing the piano, accompanying Heather's singing in Care Homes and the 'Singabout' Sessions!

Heather hopes that her experiences can be brought together to make a positive contribution in her role as Trustee.

Sara joined Age UKIW as a Trustee in 2024 upon relocating to the Isle of Wight in her retirement.

With nearly 40 years of experience in healthcare and higher education, Sara specialised in nursing, particularly with medical patients and individuals with haematological cancers. After serving as a Lecturer, Associate Dean, and Head of Department in Health & Social Care, she also contributed her expertise to a local charity before becoming a Non-Executive Director for the local NHS Trust.

Before retiring, Sara was involved in her family's retail business. In her leisure time, Sara enjoys gardening, sailing, and watercolour painting.

Margaret joined Age UK Isle of Wight as a Trustee in 2024.

Margaret was born in Liverpool, and settled on the Isle of Wight in 2016, having spent 10 years sailing and then living on the Island of La Gomera in the Canaries.

She trained as a teacher and social worker, with over 25 years experience of working with young adults with additional educational needs. As principal of a residential college, providing accredited courses in continuing education and personal independence, Margaret has a proven track record in delivering strategic outcomes for students and staff.

Margaret is passionate about removing the barriers faced by vulnerable adults, and ensuring their voices are heard when decisions are being made. She hopes to make a positive contribution to the work of Age UK Isle of Wight in her role as Trustee.

Now Retired, Margaret volunteers for English Heritage, has a passion for history, and enjoys sailing, walking and reading.

Martin joined Age UK Isle of Wight as a Trustee in June 2024.

Most of Martin's professional career was spent in the communications industry, leading the PR agency group he co-founded in 1987. He has also held leadership roles in the NHS, as a non-executive director of the Tavistock and Portman NHS Trust, where he was also the senior independent director. 

Martin's commitment to community service extends to his roles as Trustee and chair of Young Citizens, an education charity whose mission is to give young people the knowledge, experience and confidence to help them become active members of society. 

He has also volunteered with a London community trust called Coffee and Computers which offers practical help and training for older people getting to grips with digital technology. 

In addition to his professional and volunteer work, Martin serves as a magistrate.  

He and his wife live in Binstead. Martin enjoys playing tennis and the bass guitar, both with rather more enthusiasm than ability.