Our Trustees
Michael McInerney, Chairman and
Founder
The vision for the need for a Children's Hospice within the area
of North London was born out of Michael's experience with a close
relative who died as a child on a general medical ward in hospital.
In his commercial role, prior to becoming a healthcare operator,
Michael was involved in property development. He now owns Brookdale
Care, a private healthcare company providing both nursing and
residential care for people with Autism in London, Hertfordshire,
Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.
Mary O'Toole
A resident of Barnet, Mary has over 30 years experience of
working with the families of disabled and life-limited children,
both through support charities which she helped to run and as a
social worker at Great Ormond Street Children's Hospital. Mary
recently retired from the Disabled Children's Team in Barnet and
acts as a part-time social worker for the Charity on a pro-bono
basis.
Jennifer Israel
A resident of Barnet, Jennifer was a Solicitor for nearly 40
years. Having spent the first twenty of these with a city firm, she
then opened her own high street firm, where she worked for the
remainder of her career. Jennifer was on the Law Society Council
for 16 years, dealing with a variety of areas including the
Discipline of Solicitors, Land Law, Race Relations and
Constitutional Matters. She also has valuable experience of Charity
Law.
Jeremy Isaacs
Jeremy joined the Board in 2009, having developed an interest in
the services Noah's Ark was delivering local to where he lives.
Jeremy has an extensive background in the City's financial world,
having held senior positions with Goldman Sachs and Lehman
Brothers, before going on to establish the JRJ Group. Jeremy brings
valuable commercial experience to the Board and is well placed to
further develop our connections with corporate and business
professionals.
Dr Lara Shaffer MB ChB
Specialising in neurodisability, Lara is a Consultant
Paediatrician employed by Barnet and Chase Farm NHS Trust and is
based at Edgware Hospital. During her career Lara spent
3 years at Great Ormond Street Hospital and has extensive
experience in working with children with complex healthcare needs.
With this expertise, Lara is well placed offer guidance to the
Board on Care matters and assist the Care Team in the scoping of
future services.
Ronel Lehmann
Following a wide ranging career in the City, Ronel established
Lehmann Communications in 1988 and is widely recognised as one of
the UK's leading communications experts (in particular for
organisations in the corporate and professional services sectors).
Ronel is a Governor of the City of London School and has
significant experience in fundraising, sitting on the Ballet
Rambert Campaign Committee (raising funds to build a new theatre on
the South Bank) and having previously chaired a successful £6.5
million Capital Appeal for Demelza Children's Hospice. Ronel is
delighted to be able to serve a similar cause local to where he
lives.
