Ian Lush OBE Chief Executive
Ian joined the charity as Chief Executive in December 2014, having previously led the Architectural Heritage Fund for 11 years. Following an MA in music at the University of York, Ian started his career as a viola player with the Iceland Symphony Orchestra and the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, later moving into arts management, including as Marketing Director at the Barbican Centre, and Managing Director of the London Mozart Players. Ian was Lead Governor of Great Ormond Street Hospital Foundation Trust from 2012 to 2015 and also served on its strategy and redevelopment boards. He founded and directed ‘Discovering Places’, one of the major projects of the London 2012 Cultural Olympiad, and was Deputy Chair of the Heritage Alliance from 2005 to 2013. Ian became Chair of NHS Charities Together in March 2020 and was awarded an OBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours for charitable services to the NHS.
Hayley Pannick Director of Development
Hayley began her career in corporate finance at Ernst & Young and qualified as a chartered accountant in 2005. She moved to the charity sector in 2008 and has held leadership roles in fundraising at The Prince’s Trust and Alzheimer’s Society. Appointed Director of Development at Imperial Health Charity in November 2018, Hayley leads on all aspects of fundraising, with her team working across philanthropy, legacies, corporate giving and community activities. Hayley led on the charity’s Covid-19 Relief Fund appeal, launched in March 2020, which raised £3.4 million and funded the charity’s urgent response activities at the peak of the pandemic as well as initiatives supporting staff wellbeing and morale.
Graeme Hood Director of Finance and Resources
Graeme joined the charity as Director of Finance & Resources in March 2024, having previously held senior finance roles in various charity and higher education roles. Graeme qualified as an accountant in 2003, becoming a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants in 2008. He began his finance career at Arts & Business in 1999, becoming their Head of Finance in early 2003. From there he moved to the Courtauld Institute of Art, leading their finance team for ten years until 2015, where he also served as trustee to several linked charities. He then served as Global Director of Finance at Sotheby’s Institute of Art for three years before moving to the Guildhall School of Music & Drama in July 2015. As a key member of the senior leadership team for the Guildhall School, Graeme helped to steer them through the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and to develop their strategic plan to 2030 when the School will celebrate its 150th anniversary. As part of that role, he was also a member of the senior leadership team for the City of London’s financial services directorate. In his role as Director of Finance & Resources at the charity, Graeme is the strategic lead for all aspect of financial management and reporting, as well as having oversight of matters related to IT, HR and office management.
Charlie Breslin Head of Communications
Charlie began his communications career in the press office of the Royal College of General Practitioners, which he joined in 2009. Since then he has held senior PR, marketing and communications roles in charitable and not-for-profit organisations that include Breast Cancer Now and Whizz-Kidz. Prior to joining Imperial Health Charity, Charlie was at Diabetes UK, where he was strategic lead for all aspects of the charity’s content and news activity, and led the charity’s communications response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Charlie has a degree in English, and holds an NCTJ in Newspaper Journalism. Charlie joined Imperial Health Charity as Head of Communications in July 2024, and is responsible for promoting the pioneering and life-changing work of Imperial Health Charity to the public, our supporters and stakeholders.
Chris Neal Head of Volunteering
Chris worked as an International Officer at the Scouts before joining the charity in January 2018 to lead the development of our youth volunteering programme and later went on to take up the role of Deputy Head of Volunteering before being appointed as Head of Volunteering in June 2022. He is currently responsible for managing the charity’s volunteering programme across the Trust’s five main hospitals and satellite sites. Chris has an MA in Education and is currently studying for a MSc in Leadership and Management at Henley Business School. He is a governor at the Bridge School – a specialist SEN school in Islington – and a fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.
Louise Stephens Head of Office
Louise joined the charity in 2017 as Office Manager and Assistant to the Chief Executive. She has been working in administration for 15 years, beginning her administration career at The Scout Association in 2006. Over the last 10 years Louise has worked closely with senior management teams and trustee boards, supporting operational activity at organisations including WorldSkills UK and the British Council. Louise was appointed Head of Office in 2019. She leads on all aspects of our human resources and office management as well as providing administrative support to the Chief Executive and Board of Trustees.
Lucy Zacaria Head of Arts
Lucy joined the charity as Arts Manager in June 2014. Prior to this she worked at Deutsche Bank for 15 years, managing the UK art collection as well as introducing and running many staff engagement projects. Lucy has a business degree and has studied art history and photography. She is a member of the Association of Women in the Arts. In her role Lucy is responsible for a range of projects, including improvements to the hospital environment, and managing the charity’s art collection and arts engagement programme.
Carolyn Bennett Head of Grants
Carolyn began her career in major gifts fundraising working for children’s, education, health and conservation charities, and held management and leadership roles at the Zoological Society of London and Alzheimer’s Society. She moved into grantmaking in 2019, joining Guy’s and St Thomas’ Foundation to lead their funding for Evelina London Children’s Hospital. Carolyn joined Imperial Health Charity as Head of Grants in June 2024, and is responsible for delivering impact and improvements to hospital patients and staff through the charity’s grant programmes and special purpose funds. She is a trustee of Harrow Together and recently graduated with an MSc in Philanthropy, Grantmaking and Social Investment from Bayes Business School.
