Dignity in Dying's board members

info@dignityindying.org.uk - 020 7479 7730

“I believe that decisions about the timing and manner of death belong to the individual as a human right. I believe it is wrong to withhold medical methods of terminating life painlessly and swiftly when an individual has a rational and clear-minded sustained wish to end his or her life.”Professor A C Grayling, Dignity in Dying Patron
“As a child there existed in my mind a nagging fear about this thing called death. As I have become older, I want to give an assurance to the people I love that the circumstances of their death will be 'good', to be celebrated, and their final hours will be reflective of life well lived.”Jo Brand, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We have no control over how we arrive in the world, but at the end of a life we should have legal control over how we leave it.”Sir Patrick Stewart, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I see it as almost inevitable, that society will become more understanding, and more sophisticated, about assisted dying. As with suicide, it is right to strive to find better options, but when the alternatives have run out it must surely be wrong for society to insist that people suffer.”Nick Ross, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We live in a free society with all the choices that go with it. We choose when to marry, have children, what treatment we should have, where to live, who to consult for advice, in fact how we should live our lives. This should include the opportunity to choose the time we die.”Simon Weston OBE, Dignity in Dying Patron
“As a child there existed in my mind a nagging fear about this thing called death. As I have become older, I want to give an assurance to the people I love that the circumstances of their death will be 'good', to be celebrated, and their final hours will be reflective of life well lived.”Jo Brand, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We live in a free society with all the choices that go with it. We choose when to marry, have children, what treatment we should have, where to live, who to consult for advice, in fact how we should live our lives. This should include the opportunity to choose the time we die.”Simon Weston OBE, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I believe that decisions about the timing and manner of death belong to the individual as a human right. I believe it is wrong to withhold medical methods of terminating life painlessly and swiftly when an individual has a rational and clear-minded sustained wish to end his or her life.”Professor A C Grayling, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I believe that decisions about the timing and manner of death belong to the individual as a human right. I believe it is wrong to withhold medical methods of terminating life painlessly and swiftly when an individual has a rational and clear-minded sustained wish to end his or her life.”Professor A C Grayling, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We live in a free society with all the choices that go with it. We choose when to marry, have children, what treatment we should have, where to live, who to consult for advice, in fact how we should live our lives. This should include the opportunity to choose the time we die.”Simon Weston OBE, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I support Dignity in Dying because I care about suffering and want the law changed so that those who presently suffer terrible deaths will in future have the option to end their suffering through ending their lives at a time and in the manner of their choice.”Lord Joffe, Dignity in Dying Patron
“As a child there existed in my mind a nagging fear about this thing called death. As I have become older, I want to give an assurance to the people I love that the circumstances of their death will be 'good', to be celebrated, and their final hours will be reflective of life well lived.”Jo Brand, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I support Dignity in Dying because I care about suffering and want the law changed so that those who presently suffer terrible deaths will in future have the option to end their suffering through ending their lives at a time and in the manner of their choice.”Lord Joffe, Dignity in Dying Patron
“As a child there existed in my mind a nagging fear about this thing called death. As I have become older, I want to give an assurance to the people I love that the circumstances of their death will be 'good', to be celebrated, and their final hours will be reflective of life well lived.”Jo Brand, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We have no control over how we arrive in the world, but at the end of a life we should have legal control over how we leave it.”Sir Patrick Stewart, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We live in a free society with all the choices that go with it. We choose when to marry, have children, what treatment we should have, where to live, who to consult for advice, in fact how we should live our lives. This should include the opportunity to choose the time we die.”Simon Weston OBE, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I believe that decisions about the timing and manner of death belong to the individual as a human right. I believe it is wrong to withhold medical methods of terminating life painlessly and swiftly when an individual has a rational and clear-minded sustained wish to end his or her life.”Professor A C Grayling, Dignity in Dying Patron
“As a child there existed in my mind a nagging fear about this thing called death. As I have become older, I want to give an assurance to the people I love that the circumstances of their death will be 'good', to be celebrated, and their final hours will be reflective of life well lived.”Jo Brand, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We have no control over how we arrive in the world, but at the end of a life we should have legal control over how we leave it.”Sir Patrick Stewart, Dignity in Dying Patron
“Having seen my father die, it became very clear to me that we as society need to grasp the nettle and deal with this contentious issue in a way that is humane and acceptable to the majority of right thinking people.”Matthew Wright, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I endorse the work of Dignity in Dying because I believe passionately that any individual should have the right to choose, as far as it is possible, the time and the conditions of their death. I think it's time we learned to be as good at dying as we are at living.”Sir Terry Pratchett, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We live in a free society with all the choices that go with it. We choose when to marry, have children, what treatment we should have, where to live, who to consult for advice, in fact how we should live our lives. This should include the opportunity to choose the time we die.”Simon Weston OBE, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We have no control over how we arrive in the world, but at the end of a life we should have legal control over how we leave it.”Sir Patrick Stewart, Dignity in Dying Patron
“As a child there existed in my mind a nagging fear about this thing called death. As I have become older, I want to give an assurance to the people I love that the circumstances of their death will be 'good', to be celebrated, and their final hours will be reflective of life well lived.”Jo Brand, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I endorse the work of Dignity in Dying because I believe passionately that any individual should have the right to choose, as far as it is possible, the time and the conditions of their death. I think it's time we learned to be as good at dying as we are at living.”Sir Terry Pratchett, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I believe that the exercise of free will concerning the end of life, and the timing of the end of life, is an essential human freedom. I believe that while religious dogma may dictate or limit the choice of believers it should not be imposed on others.”Rabbi Dr Charles Middleburgh, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We live in a free society with all the choices that go with it. We choose when to marry, have children, what treatment we should have, where to live, who to consult for advice, in fact how we should live our lives. This should include the opportunity to choose the time we die.”Simon Weston OBE, Dignity in Dying Patron
“As a child there existed in my mind a nagging fear about this thing called death. As I have become older, I want to give an assurance to the people I love that the circumstances of their death will be 'good', to be celebrated, and their final hours will be reflective of life well lived.”Jo Brand, Dignity in Dying Patron
“It is because we believe in the dignity and value of life that we hope for a good death. This is what Dignity in Dying hopes to permit and I passionately support its aims. To linger on against my will on a half-life is no life at all.”A.N Wilson, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We have no control over how we arrive in the world, but at the end of a life we should have legal control over how we leave it.”Sir Patrick Stewart, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I endorse the work of Dignity in Dying because I believe passionately that any individual should have the right to choose, as far as it is possible, the time and the conditions of their death. I think it's time we learned to be as good at dying as we are at living.”Sir Terry Pratchett, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I see it as almost inevitable, that society will become more understanding, and more sophisticated, about assisted dying. As with suicide, it is right to strive to find better options, but when the alternatives have run out it must surely be wrong for society to insist that people suffer.”Nick Ross, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I endorse the work of Dignity in Dying because I believe passionately that any individual should have the right to choose, as far as it is possible, the time and the conditions of their death. I think it's time we learned to be as good at dying as we are at living.”Sir Terry Pratchett, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We have no control over how we arrive in the world, but at the end of a life we should have legal control over how we leave it.”Sir Patrick Stewart, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I endorse the work of Dignity in Dying because I believe passionately that any individual should have the right to choose, as far as it is possible, the time and the conditions of their death. I think it's time we learned to be as good at dying as we are at living.”Sir Terry Pratchett, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We have no control over how we arrive in the world, but at the end of a life we should have legal control over how we leave it.”Sir Patrick Stewart, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We live in a free society with all the choices that go with it. We choose when to marry, have children, what treatment we should have, where to live, who to consult for advice, in fact how we should live our lives. This should include the opportunity to choose the time we die.”Simon Weston OBE, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We have no control over how we arrive in the world, but at the end of a life we should have legal control over how we leave it.”Sir Patrick Stewart, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We have no control over how we arrive in the world, but at the end of a life we should have legal control over how we leave it.”Sir Patrick Stewart, Dignity in Dying Patron
“Being incapable of helping a loved one to die when they are at the end of their life, suffering and asking for help is undignified and wrong, and I know this having witnessed it myself at close hand.”Zoe Wanamaker, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I see it as almost inevitable, that society will become more understanding, and more sophisticated, about assisted dying. As with suicide, it is right to strive to find better options, but when the alternatives have run out it must surely be wrong for society to insist that people suffer.”Nick Ross, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I endorse the work of Dignity in Dying because I believe passionately that any individual should have the right to choose, as far as it is possible, the time and the conditions of their death. I think it's time we learned to be as good at dying as we are at living.”Sir Terry Pratchett, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We live in a free society with all the choices that go with it. We choose when to marry, have children, what treatment we should have, where to live, who to consult for advice, in fact how we should live our lives. This should include the opportunity to choose the time we die.”Simon Weston OBE, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I believe that decisions about the timing and manner of death belong to the individual as a human right. I believe it is wrong to withhold medical methods of terminating life painlessly and swiftly when an individual has a rational and clear-minded sustained wish to end his or her life.”Professor A C Grayling, Dignity in Dying Patron
“As a doctor for over 35 years, I became increasingly aware of the failure of even the best care to deal with the suffering of some patients. The present clinical, ethical, and legal fudge - and a law which is discredited in practice - is dangerous for patients and also for professionals.”Professor Raymond Tallis, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I endorse the work of Dignity in Dying because I believe passionately that any individual should have the right to choose, as far as it is possible, the time and the conditions of their death. I think it's time we learned to be as good at dying as we are at living.”Sir Terry Pratchett, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I endorse the work of Dignity in Dying because I believe passionately that any individual should have the right to choose, as far as it is possible, the time and the conditions of their death. I think it's time we learned to be as good at dying as we are at living.”Sir Terry Pratchett, Dignity in Dying Patron
“As a child there existed in my mind a nagging fear about this thing called death. As I have become older, I want to give an assurance to the people I love that the circumstances of their death will be 'good', to be celebrated, and their final hours will be reflective of life well lived.”Jo Brand, Dignity in Dying Patron
“As a child there existed in my mind a nagging fear about this thing called death. As I have become older, I want to give an assurance to the people I love that the circumstances of their death will be 'good', to be celebrated, and their final hours will be reflective of life well lived.”Jo Brand, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I endorse the work of Dignity in Dying because I believe passionately that any individual should have the right to choose, as far as it is possible, the time and the conditions of their death. I think it's time we learned to be as good at dying as we are at living.”Sir Terry Pratchett, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I wish to be treated as a responsible adult and believe that people should be legally able to register their wish for an assistance with suicide, if needed. I support Dignity in Dying primarily to help change the law on assisted suicide.”Sir Michael Holroyd CBE, Dignity in Dying Patron
“As a child there existed in my mind a nagging fear about this thing called death. As I have become older, I want to give an assurance to the people I love that the circumstances of their death will be 'good', to be celebrated, and their final hours will be reflective of life well lived.”Jo Brand, Dignity in Dying Patron
“We have no control over how we arrive in the world, but at the end of a life we should have legal control over how we leave it.”Sir Patrick Stewart, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I see it as almost inevitable, that society will become more understanding, and more sophisticated, about assisted dying. As with suicide, it is right to strive to find better options, but when the alternatives have run out it must surely be wrong for society to insist that people suffer.”Nick Ross, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I see it as almost inevitable, that society will become more understanding, and more sophisticated, about assisted dying. As with suicide, it is right to strive to find better options, but when the alternatives have run out it must surely be wrong for society to insist that people suffer.”Nick Ross, Dignity in Dying Patron
“I endorse the work of Dignity in Dying because I believe passionately that any individual should have the right to choose, as far as it is possible, the time and the conditions of their death. I think it's time we learned to be as good at dying as we are at living.”Sir Terry Pratchett, Dignity in Dying Patron
“My father, who was suffering from cancer and no longer wished to live, died as he chose: in peace and dignity, with my mother beside him. I passionately hope that, if I too were terminally ill, and was finding life unbearable, I could be allowed to die at a time of my choosing.”Rosemary Brown OBE, Dignity in Dying Patron

Board members

Sir Graeme Catto - Chair

Sir Graeme holds the position of Chair of Dignity in Dying and is an Emeritus Professor of Medicine at the University of Aberdeen and President of the College of Medicine. He was formerly the President of the General Medical Council and was a member of the Falconer Commission on Assisted Dying. Upon the report of the Commission Sir Graeme joined Dignity in Dying, he says:

"Evaluating the evidence presented to the Commission on Assisted Dying convinced me that the law in this country should be changed in line with both the Commission's report and the aims of Dignity in Dying. While any change in the law is a matter for the Parliaments to determine, I look forward to leading Dignity in Dying in informing the necessary public debate."

Dr Philip Graham - Vice Chair

Philip spent most of his working life as a child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Hospital for Sick Children, Great Ormond Street and as an academic carrying out research at its associated medical school. As a junior doctor he saw end of life issues managed compassionately with the use of heavy sedation - the so-called Brompton cocktail. Since that time Philip feels it has become much more difficult for doctors, in consultation with patients themselves and with family members to assist in achieving an 'easeful death' for those who wish it. Since retirement, Philip has worked on a largely voluntary basis for example, as Chairman of the National Children's Bureau, as a Community Governor of a secondary school in a deprived area of London and as a volunteer reader in a local primary school.

Edward Turner - Treasurer

Edward joined the board of Dignity in Dying as treasurer in 2006. He is a chartered accountant and works for an international financial services organisation. He has previous experience of working as treasurer in the not-for-profit sector. Edward joined Dignity in Dying after witnessing the peaceful assisted death of his mother at the Dignitas clinic in Zurich in 2006. It contrasted with the more harrowing, but more normal, death of his father in a nursing home 4 years earlier. Edward believes that terminally ill people should have the option of an assisted death in the UK, rather than being forced to travel abroad before their time to die in a foreign country.

Rowena Ironside

Rowena Ironside is a senior technology industry executive with many years experience managing IT businesses. She has a MSc. in Management from the London Business School (Sloan Masters). Rowena currently enjoys a portfolio career, which includes non-executive roles in the commercial and not-for-profit sectors and fundraising for a micro-finance charity. Rowena joined the Board of Dignity in Dying in 2006.

Lady Goodhart

Celia began her career in the civil service before moving into teaching, later becoming the principal of a girls secondary school. She was involved nationally in setting up the Social Democrat Party and the Liberal Democrats and stood for Parliament in Kettering. She has chaired two major national charities and the Oxford University Alumni organisation, and is on the Council of Goldsmiths University of London and is a Governor of Compton Verney. She is also an Honourable Fellow of St. Hilda's College Oxford and City & Guilds and is an Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts. She is married to Lord William Goodhart QC and has seven grandchildren.

James Humble OBE

Jim was a professional rugby player in his youth, followed by a career in trading standards as a Director and Chief Executive of a variety of public service, and central and local government organisations. He is an experienced campaigner and consultant for new laws and Private Members Bills, and has successfully promoted improved levels of consumer protection, fair-trading, child safety and food standards. He has created professional co-operatives across Europe and has held appointments as Chairman EC and Council of Europe Working Groups. He has also held Non-Executive Directorships of National Consumer Council and Wine Standards Board.

Ann Leedham

Ann's background is in nursing, primarily caring for people suffering from cancer. She was regional and secretary to the Royal College of Nursing Board and was a Board member for Birmingham and the Black Country Workforce Development Confederation. Over the years she has campaigned on many issues, most recently for minority groups to be properly recognised in the workplace and has also spent time as a school governor and a borough councillor for the Labour Party.

Michael Daly

Until recently, Michael was a volunteer with the Bereavement Service of a cancer hospice in Oxford and was a trustee of the Oxford International Centre for Palliative Care. His experiences of palliative care have reinforced his belief in the importance of extending end-of-life care and choice to everyone. Although qualified as a barrister, Michael's professional background is in education, teaching law to undergraduates and postgraduate students seeking to qualify as lawyers.

Alice Leonard

Alice is a lawyer. For 21 years she was Head of the Strategic Legal Division of the Equal Opportunities Commission (EOC), where she led on a number of judicial reviews. During her time there she secured protections for one million part-time workers, stopped the Armed Forces sacking pregnant women and led on investigations which forced the Royal Mail and the Prison Service to take action against sexual harassment. Alice has experience in challenging the law - and changing it. She feels the movement to legalise assisted dying for terminally ill people is one of the great campaigns of the 21st century stating: "Personal choice over one's life is an essential human freedom."

Dr Richard Scheffer

Richard read social science, qualified as a social worker and taught at a university in South Africa before reading medicine at the University of Cape Town. He was a consultant in palliative medicine and medical director of a hospice in the UK for 20 years until his retirement in 2007. He served as chairman of a regional Palliative Care Network and represented his area on the National Council of Palliative Care for a number of years. He was a member of the working group for the development of the Department of Health End-of-Life-Care strategy. He has always had an interest in the promotion of palliative care in developing countries, especially in Africa, and has served on the UK Forum for Hospice and Palliative Care Worldwide, set up by Help the Hospices, and chaired the Advocacy Committee. He would like to see high quality palliative care available for all at the end of life as well as assisted dying being legally available for those who choose it.

Dame Jill Macleod Clark

Jill has been a Professor of Nursing at Kings College London and University of Southampton since 1991. She has published over twenty books on nursing, health and the care of older people and in 2001 was made Dame Commander of the British Empire. She headed up a multi-professional Health Faculty and acted as Chair of the Council of Deans of Health - a national lobbying organisation.

Jill said that her professional experience "had heavily influenced her belief that giving individuals the option of choice around assisted death is urgently required".

Philip Hartropp

Before his retirement, Philip spent over 30 years as a full-time GP working near Peterborough. In 1999 to forward his interest in end-of-life care he undertook a Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Medicine, and then, from 2001-2008, was the Cancer and Palliative Care Lead for a primary Care Trust (PCT).

Philip described his experience of working in end-of-life care as "one of the most satisfying aspects of my job, caring for patients and their families, through their final days of illness".

Paul Rossi

Paul is a former chief executive of Help the Hospices and deputy chief executive of Macmillan Cancer Support. He has been leading not-for-profit organisations at chief executive and deputy level for more than 25 years, and is currently chief executive of the National Benevolent Institution. He has a wide range of experience as a political campaigner and has spent time as a member of various governing body boards.

Paul believes passionately that the law should change to allow assisted dying as "the current law that legitimises suicide, but which puts at risk those who assist a fully compos mentis patient from exercising that right is untenable and absurd".

Philip Busfield

Philip is a Risk and Finance consultant to the Private Equity and Banking industry. He has an M.A. in Mathematics from Cambridge University, and over 28 years of experience in various senior executive roles in merchant banking and investment. Most recently Philip has chaired a charity for Parkinson's sufferers and been actively involved in local community regeneration projects, together with his ongoing consulting work.