Our Trustees
Stephen Catlin, Chairman of The Sick Children's Trust
Stephen began his insurance career in 1973 joining BL Evens & Others on Syndicate 264 at Lloyd's. He founded Catlin Underwriting Agencies Limited in 1984 and was the active underwriter of Syndicate 1003 and later Syndicate 2003 until May 2003. From September 1996 to January 2002, he was the Lloyd's nominated Director of Equitas Holdings Limited. He served as Chairman of the Lloyd's Market Association, the trade association representing the interests of Lloyd's underwriters and underwriting agents, from May 2000 until January 2003. He was a member of the Council of Lloyd's from 2002 to 2004 and a member of the Lloyd's Franchise Board from January 2003 until December 2006. He is currently Deputy President of the Insurance Institute of London and a Visiting Fellow at the Oxford University Centre for Corporate Reputation.
He has been Chairman of The Sick Children’s Trust since 1999.
Gary Boom
Gary was born in South Africa and holds a BSc in finance from the University of Cape Town. Between 1985 and 2001 he worked for a range of London money brokers specialising in interest rate options and was a director at Intercapital Group before founding Bordeaux Index – a trader of fine wine - in 1997. Bordeaux Index opened an office in Hong Kong in February 2007.
He has been a trustee since 2006 and sits on the fundraising group, working to engage high net worth individuals and support corporate fundraising.
Peter Cunard
Peter Cunard joined as a trustee in 1984, in the very early days of the formation of the charity. He is a professional communications adviser and advises clients specifically on relations with the media and issues that affect reputation management and internal company communications. He also acts as a business and career mentor and is a non executive company director. He is married and has three grown up children and three grandchildren.
Stephen Masters
A trustee since 2004, with particular responsibility as Company Secretary, Stephen spent all his working life with John Lewis and is currently based at their London Head Office working as a senior analyst in the operational systems department. His involvement with the charity came about following one of his sons being diagnosed with Leukaemia and treated at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, at a time before The Sick Children’s Trust’s Acorn House opened on the site, so he has first hand experience as to what a difference the charity’s houses make, and is proud to be involved as a trustee.
Portia Mishcon
Portia has been a trustee since 2005. She is passionate about the Sick Children’s Trust’s objectives of keeping children and parents together, having herself experienced extensive periods in hospitals as a child. Following her degree in Art History from Warwick University, she has worked across the art world and in film production, before embarking on a new career as a Speech and Language Therapist. She now works at a private paediatric clinic, working with children of all age groups.
James Rigby
James has been a trustee of The Sick Children’s Trust since 2006 and brings his broad ranging property experience to the board of trustees to assist the executive team in managing the existing homes and developing new ‘Homes from Home’. James is a Chartered Surveyor and a partner of Collingwood Rigby a Birmingham based commercial property investment management practice. He lives in Worcestershire with his wife, two children and a labradoodle dog called Gus.
Michael Robinson
Michael is our newest trustee, joining in December 2009. He is currently responsible for directing policy for the recruitment, development and compensation of 1800 Man Group employees worldwide – a world-leading alternative investment management business. Previously he was in a similar role at AMVESCAP plc, and Henderson Global Investors plc. Prior to that he was Head of Personnel and Administration at British & Commonwealth Merchant Bank plc, following a 20-year career in the Royal Navy. Michael has been closely involved with the integration of a number of businesses internationally, from which he has developed a particular interest in the cultural consequences of mergers and acquisitions. In his role as trustee he will use his expertise in a broad range of activities including fundraising, budgets, scope and strategy, as well as utilising his extensive HR experience to help resolve any people issues which may arise.
Pernille Tholstrup
Pernille is a mother of three children with a background as a corporate analyst in the gas and oil industry - with specialist experience in large business computer software applications. She was invited onto the board in 2003, and since becoming a trustee has lent her experience to a variety of tasks, including events, fundraising and treasury. With a first degree in Business and Finance Management, she recently completed an MA in professional and creative writing.
Soren Tholstrup
Originally from Copenhagen, Soren graduated in Modern History, Economic History and Politics from Royal Holloway College, University of London. He has a background in commodity trading, as well as an interest in technology and media, and in the last ten years has specialised in property management with a particular focus on investments. Married with two children and based in London, Soren joined the board of trustees in 2007, with special emphasis on fundraising activities.
