Management

Organisational Structure

Beechwood is a charity and Company Limited by Guarantee, and therefore accountable to the Charity Commission, Companies House and the public at large.  The company directors are the trustees and Council of Management.

The Beechwood Articles and Memorandum set out the Charity Commission requirements in relation to the charity's trustees. Beechwood has a Council of Management and an Annual General Meeting.

The day to day management is overseen by the Chief Executive, Allen Whittaker who signs an annual agreement outlining the responsibilities of himself and that of the Trustees.

Council of Management

The most important asset for Beechwood is the quality of its management and Council members.  The Council members are all volunteers and they give freely of their time.  Their dedication and enthusiasm for Beechwood's cause has provided the basis of many of Beechwood's successes while their continued support is required for the achievement of the future plans.

Allen Whittaker - Chief Executive

Allen is the Chief Executive of Beechwood Cancer Care Centre, having previously been Managing Director of the associated trading company Living With Cancer Ltd. He brings to the table a vast experience of management, training and consultancy and was previously self-employed.

Throughout 2000 Allen dedicated most of his working life to the Beechwood cause and in July 2000 took over as Chief Executive.  Allen specialises in business strategy and financial planning and has previously been involved in dealing with budding entrepreneurs to corporate clients and therefore has a depth of experience in business matters. One of his previous jobs was Operations Director of a business support organisation, largely funded by commercial sponsorship, Stockport Business Venture.

Allen is Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of a local primary school and is an active member of Stockport Rotary Club.

Tony Wilson - Chair

Tony Wilson is 48 years of age and he joined the Board as a Trustee in 2005. He is married with two daughters, and has varied business interests both in the UK and overseas. Tony has always believed that 'life is precious and short' and after being involved in charitable causes on a low-key basis, decided that Beechwood was just the place to donate his time and expertise for the benefit of those affected by cancer.

Jackie Collins - Vice Chair

Jackie has recently retired. After qualifying as a nurse, most of her life was spent practising and teaching occupational health nursing. She was formerly Head of Division of an academic unit in a West Midlands university and has also taught in a School of Nursing. In early 2002, Jackie was diagnosed with cancer and attended a programme at Beechwood which stirred her interest in complementary therapies to the point that she undertook Reiki training to level 2.

Marjorie Whyte

Marjorie, a former patient at Beechwood, is actively involved in nursing and fund raising activities.

Satish Mehta M.B.E.

Dr. Mehta is a local GP who brings to the table his expertise in the medical field.  He is extremely interested in holistic therapies for cancer patients and specialises in mental health for elderly patients. As well as managing his own practice, he is a well respected member of the local community, a member of Rotary and a trustee member of the Executive Committee of MIND, Stockport.

John Lutton

John has been Managing Director of the La Sande Goup of companies, commercial developers, for 13 years. Prior to this he was a partner of Alexander Lutton & Co, consultant surveyors and the Chesire-based chartered accountants. Eccles Bond Lutton & Co. Having 30 years experience in commercial property, John was approached to join the Beechwood Council of Management to provide guidance and assitance on all Beechwood's property matters.

Sue Ware RN, MA, BSc (Hons)

Sue is married with 2 children and lives in Stockport. She is a cinical nurse with 25 years experience and currently works as a Lead Cancer Nurse and a community-based MacMillan nurse specialist. Sue has a strong interest in supporting people to live with cancer and, in particular, the role that complementary therapies and approaches have to play within this. Her interests include sailing, theatre and walking.

Alan Sutton - Chair of Finance

Reuben Fielding

Sandra Sinclair

John MacCarron - Patron