Our Patrons - Cavell

Dame Christine Beasley DBE has enjoyed a 50 year career in the NHS. She took up the post of Chief Nursing Officer for England in 2004, which she held until her retirement in 2012. In 2002, Dame Christine was awarded a CBE and made a Dame in 2008. Since her retirement as Chief Nursing Officer, she has become Chair of Council at Bucks University and Non-Executive Director of the NHS Trust Development Authority. Dame Chrstine said: “I am delighted to have been asked to be a Patron of Cavell and I look forward to supporting and promoting the contribution that the Trust is making to nurses and nursing.”

Ken Jarrold CBE Chair of the Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust, a Partner with The Dearden Partnership LLP, Patron of the NHS Retirement Fellowship and Chair of the Government’s Pharmacy Programme Board. Previously, Ken was Chair of the County Durham Economic Partnership and Chair of the Pharmacy Regulation and Leadership Oversight Group. He was also a Non Executive Director of the Serious Organised Crime Agency, a member of the Board of the Child Exploitation Online Protection Centre and Chair of the CEOP Relationship Management Committee. Ken was an NHS Manager for 36 years.

Lord Simon Russell is the 3rd Baron Russell of Liverpool and is a British crossbench peer. The paternal grandson of Edward Russell, 2nd Baron Russell of Liverpool, he was educated at Charterhouse School, Trinity College, Cambridge, and INSEAD Business School.

Professor Lesley Page is president and board member of the Royal College of Midwives. She also holds a number of prestigious teaching titles both in this Country and in Australia. She has had many years’ experience working as a senior manager in the NHS and in midwifery practice, leadership and academia in the UK and Canada. Lesley says, “I am proud to be appointed as Patron of Cavell. I was always drawn to the story of Edith Cavell, her courage and commitment. Nurses and midwives give so much and it is right they should be cared for when they are in need, Cavell Nurses’ Trust also supports development in nursing and midwifery, ensuring a spirit of care and compassion. I will be helping to raise awareness and engagement with a wider audience”

Diana Souhami wrote a biography of Edith cavell which won the EDP – Jarrold East Anglian Book of the Year award in 2011. She is also the author of ten other highly-praised books. Her latest book Murder at Wrotham Hill has just been published by Quercus. Diana, who divides her time between London and Cornwall, said: “I am honoured to be a patron of the trust and will do what i can to spread the word of Edith Cavell’s life and work as a nurse.”

Sophie Ward is an English actress and the daughter of actor Simon Ward. Sophie has appeared in numerous films and stage plays ranging from Young Sherlock Holmes to Book of Blood, and in many TV series, notably Heartbeat and Holby City.