Jill Matthews

Chief Officer

Jill serves as the Chief Officer for Derby and Burton Hospitals Charity, collaborating closely with University Hospitals of Derby and Burton to support the delivery of Exceptional Care Together and the delivery of a five-year strategy to double the income for the charity, increase the visibility of the charity and connect with local businesses and communities.  The charity is increasing its grant giving and broadening its impact under Jill's leadership.

With a career spanning over four decades, Jill’s journey in healthcare began as a student volunteer and then a pharmacy technician within the NHS here in Derby.  During her career, she has held pivotal roles in various capacities, including community services, primary care and public health and, support services, both locally and nationally.  Jill steered high-profile support and transformation initiatives during her tenure at The Department of Health and NHS England, earning widespread respect within the healthcare sector. Her expertise lies in leading transformative change programs, inspiring innovation and engagement and the development of sustainable solutions.

Outside of the Charity, Jill enjoys spending time with her family, is a cat and dog lover with a fondness for vertiginous heels.

Kendra Chiles

Director of Finance

Kendre is an experienced financial leader with over 25 years of experience in the NHS, including 15 years involvement in NHS Charity. A qualified ACCA accountant since 2008, bringing an in-depth understanding of the unique challenges of charitable operations within the healthcare sector. As a member of the HFMA Charities Special Interest Group, Kendre actively contributes to shaping best practices across NHS Charities.

Passionate about leadership, culture and financial sustainability, Kendre is committed to ensuring transparency, accountability and long-term sustainability. Outside of work Kendre enjoys baking and theatre.

Rachael Vowles

Head of Marketing & Stakeholder Management

Rachael has over 30 years of experience in PR, marketing and communications, working at board level across the NHS, local government and various industries. She holds a Masters' in Strategic Communication and has managed a number of multimillion-pound marketing campaigns, leading teams in healthcare, tech and pharmaceuticals. 

Before joining DBHC, Rachael led a global marketing team, working across the UK, Europe and the USA.  In her spare time, she enjoys walking her Cockapoo, Willow, and gardening.

Laura Waters

Head of Air Arts

Laura Waters is Head of Arts for the charity, responsible for delivering the Air Arts programme. Laura manages a team of creatives to deliver this varied programme of art exhibitions, performances, interior design and creative workshops for patients, staff and visitors to our hospital sites. The use of arts in healthcare settings is proven to support wellbeing and recovery, by reducing stress and anxiety and promoting moments of positive distraction.

Outside of work Laura is a musician, regularly performing with local theatre companies and orchestras.  

Debbie Bostock

Programme Manager

As the charity programme manager, Debbie brings 38 years' of extensive and diverse NHS experience to the charity.   Debbie started her NHS career as a pharmacy technician, evolving through roles in the teaching, and mentoring of pharmacy students, driving improvements in patient safety, and latterly undertaking the commissioning of clinical services.  In her current role, she supports the development of the charity's business operations, facilitating strategic growth and driving operational excellence. Beyond work, Debbie cherishes time spent with family and friends.

Andrea Croud

Head of Finance

Andrea is the Charity Head of Finance that joined the NHS in 2016 and has worked with the Charity for the past nine years and is passionate about her role.  Before this she has worked in Local Government and Police Authority where she fully qualified as an Accountant and achieved a Post Graduate Certificate Management.  She is also a member of the Healthcare Financial Management Association.  Out of work she enjoys watching football and swimming. 

Alison Furlong

Head of Fundraising

Ali joined the charity sector 10 years ago following a corporate career at Rolls-Royce, in procurement, project management and property, spanning 18 years.   She became a fundraiser after the death of her son in 2014.  Her family directly benefited from amazing support from several charities and joining one of those charities as a community fundraiser was the start of an exciting new career chapter.

Ali started her fundraising journey as a community fundraiser and loved working with individuals and groups, building connections between people and the cause they are supporting.  Now as head of fundraising she loves working across all fundraising income streams, keeping the supporters at the heart of all that the charity does.

In her free time Ali enjoys family time, walking her naughty spaniel and sweating in the gym.

Joanne Kinsey

Head of Governance

The NHS is close to Jo's heart and the opportunity to support patients and staff via her role in the charity is of great importance to her.  Jo says that playing her part by ensuring the charity has a good sound governance foundation, can be compliant and operate with all appropriate due diligence enables her to "give something back".

Away from work, Jo enjoys taking part in creative workshops, reading, and walking in the local countryside near to where she lives.

Heather Rushbrooke

Business Manager

Heather is the charity's business manager; a role that gives so much variety and works across all charity teams which is great fun.  She knows about sorting out annual leave queries, an expert tea and coffee maker as well as being involved in arranging the Florence Nightingale remembrance service at Derby Cathedral.  Heather has worked with the charity team for 3 years following 24 years in the NHS.   Out of work Heather loves reading, dancing, walking in the countryside, gardening, sewing, cinema and theatre - but doesn't have time to watch tv; how does she find time to work?

Alexandra (Alex) Stone

CRM & Supporter Care Administrator

Alexandra (Alex) is the charity's customer relationship management (CRM) and supporter care administrator. Alex joined our charity in January 2025. Her key focus is to look after our supporter database and make sure everyone who donates to us has a great experience. When Alex is not at work, you can usually find her at an ice rink, cheering on the Nottingham Panthers Ice Hockey Club or out and about with her cocker spaniel puppy, Rhubarb,  who likes to keep us on our toes!

Anita Kincade

Digital Content & Design Officer

Anita has 16 years of experience in marketing and design including 7 years as a business owner. She holds a BA (Hons) in International Business as well as a CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing.  Before joining DBHC, Anita ran a successful personalised gift business where her designs were accepted on to curated maker website Not on the High Street. 

In her spare time, she enjoys attending clubbericse classes and days out with her family.

Emma Bailey

Resident Artist

Emma is our resident visual artist (E J Lance) and heritage officer.  In addition to creating art for different aspects of the Arts programme, she also delivers creative clinical training, manages the creative staff wellbeing programme and the engagement side of our medical museum project.   She also works with museum collections across the country, is a huge classic film fan, loves live music and cats.

Gabriela Brzostowska

Apprentice Charity Finance Assistant

Gabriela joined the charity finance team in 2023 as an apprentice and is now a permanent member of the team.

With a strong background in financial operations, she brings both precision and passion to her role.  Gabriela is committed to making a difference for colleagues and patients alike and ensures that every financial decision supports the hospital’s mission to deliver compassionate, high-quality care.  Driven by a desire to grow professionally, Gabriela is excited to continue developing her career within charity finance.   Outside of work, she’s a certified black belt in Taekwondo - a discipline that reflects her focus, resilience and dedication.

Gowthami Balasubramaniam

Admin Assistant

Gowthami supports the fundraising team as an admin assistant.  She takes pride in supporting meaningful projects that create real impact across all our hospital sites. Outside of work, Gowthami like practising yoga, spending time with her family and friends and enjoys walking in nature.

Isobel Humphriss

Multi-Channel Marketing Officer

Isobel (Izzy) works in the charity's marketing team, helping to share stories, raise awareness, and support campaigns that make a difference for patients and staff across our hospitals. Izzy loves using creativity and storytelling to bring the charity's work to life and enjoys connecting with the amazing people who fundraise for the charity, as well as those whose lives the charity helps to improve. 

Outside of work, Izzy enjoys musical theatre, reading, spending time outdoors, and baking or cooking something new.

Janet Sanders

Fundraiser - Nightingale Unit

Janet is the charity's fundraiser for the Nightingale Unit (NMU) and palliative care services.  She helps our "in memory of" and third party supporters by providing information,  fundraising materials and attending presentations when an event is complete. Janet's role involves her going along to local organisations meetings to tell them about the great work done in palliative care and the NMU.  

Janet loves spending the rest of her time walking her dogs, swimming to try to keep fit and helping to look after her two young grandsons.

Julie Hammond

Hub

Julie has worked within the NHS environment for over 30 years.  In the last 16 years, Julie has undertaken charity work for UHDB ranging from retail and volunteer management to fundraising coordinator.  More recently Julie has been in the role of charity hub receptionist, which involves selling our famous hoodies and charity merchandise and engaging with the public about our work.  In Julies spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and crafting to raise funds for our charity.

Kate (Kathryn) Stoppard

Visual Arts Manager

Kate curates and delivers our biannual exhibitions, along with bespoke visual enhancement projects across all five hospital sites. Kate aims to cultivate a supporting environment for local and national artists, to create a calming and inviting visual environment for patients, staff and visitors. In her spare time, Kate enjoys a good kitchen disco and visiting museums.

Lucy Dey

Corporate & Community Fundraiser

Lucy is our corporate and community fundraising officer. She loves working with all our brilliant fundraisers to help make a difference to our patients and staff. Lucy has a passion for building long-term, meaningful partnerships with local businesses who want to give back to our hospital charity through fundraising, sponsorship and in-kind gifts.  In her spare time you'll find Lucy enjoying a good book, getting creative and spending time outdoors with her family. 

Rosie Rutherford

Music Coordinator

Rosie is in charge of all things music for our Air Arts team and feels very honoured to be facilitating music for patients, staff and visitors across UHDB hospitals and sites. As well as managing the music programme, Rosie also works as a freelance musician with a very varied and eclectic music career, regularly performing around the UK.  Outside of work, Rosie is a cheese and tea fanatic and loves a good walk!

Tom Anifowose

Finance

Olatomide Anifowose (Tom) is a dedicated member of the charity team at University Hospitals of Derby and Burton, where they manage financial services with a focus on transparency and impact. Passionate about supporting charitable initiatives, Olatomide combines professional expertise with a personal love for walking, music, good films, and cooking. Their thoughtful approach and creative energy contribute meaningfully to both the charity’s mission and the wider community.

Vicky Carey

Fundraiser

Vicky  is our staff fundraiser, events and lottery officer.  Vicky loves to support our charity by  taking part in events such as the fire walk, abseil and skydive. In her spare time Vicky likes to walk her dog in the Peak District, go on holidays abroad and watch Derby County play football.