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Key People

Ann Donkin - Interim CEO

In April 2023 Age UK Norfolk appointed an interim CEO - Ann Donkin. Ann originally hails from County Durham and is bringing to Age UK Norfolk a wealth of knowledge from her previous roles (both nationally and locally) as an NHS Chief Executive and Board Director and Local Authority Programme Director.

Ann is looking forward to working with our team of dedicated staff, volunteers and trustees to aid us in our mission to make Norfolk a great place to grow older.

Find out more about our mission

Meet our Trustees

  • Stephen Drake - Chair

    Stephen trained as a solicitor in London, qualifying in 1984. Today, Stephen is the non-exec director of a Cambridge based family owned company and Chair of Governors at a local school alongside his role as Chair at Age UK Norfolk.

  • Surjait Singh - Vice Chair

    Surjait has worked as a doctor in Norfolk for 26 years, the last 23 as a consultant Surgeon at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King’s Lynn.  Caring for a predominantly elderly population in West Norfolk has provided valuable insight into their specific needs.  He has been an advocate for the provision of accessible surgical services in rural areas.

  • David Stonehouse – Honorary Treasurer

    David has a long history of finance management across NHS and Care trusts, most recently as Interim Chief Financial Officer for Barnet, Enfield, and Haringey Mental Health Trust where he led the organisation during a key period to improve organisational sustainability.

  • Anni Hartley-Walder

    Anni brings experience from senior national roles in regulatory organisations delivering Quality Assurance, Audit, Inspection and Review in District Audit and The Audit Commission. As a Senior Civil Servant and lead government Gateway Reviewer, Anni has delivered policy and practice inspection and reviews in local government, health, education & Central Government.

  • Roy Dickinson

    Roy spent his working career in social services and adult social care both locally and nationally. Roy has considerable experience in strategic planning, provision and procurement of services and management of people and resources.

  • Graham Robinson

    During his career, Graham has worked in both local and national government and the third sector, from social work practitioner to senior management level in social care. Graham's work history has provided key experience in strategic planning and policy formulation.

  • Rachel Buxton

    Rachel has considerable experience in marketing, fundraising and events across a variety of sectors including local government, commercial and charitable. Over her career, Rachel has successfully marketed services and brands, raised much needed funds and organised hundreds of events. Rachel is passionate about using her experience to give back to Norfolk’s ageing population.

  • Meryl Smith

    Meryl spent 12 years working as a solicitor in Norfolk before joining a pharmaceutical company as Legal Counsel in 2022. Meryl was promoted to General Counsel in 2023. Meryl is an avid fundraiser, having taken part in a number of fundraising activities for good causes and has recently entered the ballot to run the next London marathon.

  • Caroline works as a consultant in palliative medicine at the Norfolk and Norwich university hospital and is also clinical associate professor, a joint appointment with the University of East Anglia.  She also works in an advisory capacity for Norfolk and Waveney Integrated Care Board.  She provides insight into health care commissioning and the delivery of services for older people, particularly those approaching the end of life

Are you looking to give something back to our communities in Norfolk? 

Why not consider joining our team as a Trustee and be part of our mission to make Norfolk a great place to grow older. Find out more about becoming a Trustee on our Volunteering Pages.