Helen Simmons is currently CEO of St Christopher’s Hospice, and has been a senior leader in the UK charity sector for over 25 years, after qualifying as a chartered accountant.

Helen was previously CEO of Nightingale Hammerson – an outstanding dementia and nursing care home organisation, where she started the first on site nursery for daily intergenerational activities and led the care homes through the Covid pandemic. Prior to that Helen was on the top team at Crisis (homelessness), Multiple Sclerosis Society, Diocese of London, and Jewish Care (social care), as well as trustee of Care England (Expert by Experience), NCVO (National Council for Voluntary Organisations), CFG, RSCM, CAF and L’Ouverture. Helen lectures occasionally at City University in London and is on the Charity Fund Advisory Panel for Quilter Cheviot.