Des has been instrumental throughout his time with Demelza. He joined as a trustee in 2001, was elected Chair of the Board of Trustees in 2006 and became one of our valued Vice Presidents in 2012. Des joined at a critical time for Demelza and was instrumental in putting the charity on a sound financial footing. He worked with the team to develop our clinical governance and to embed an open and engaging culture. One of Des’s proudest moments at Demelza was the opening of our hospice at Eltham, having seen the project through from conception to fruition. Des is a keen yachtsman having sailed the Azores, Arctic and Atlantic!