Trustees
Here at The Hospital of St Cross, we work alongside and are expertly guided by the support of a wonderful group of Trustees. Their varied backgrounds and love of The Hospital of St Cross blend into a truly supportive and effective structure of governance and guidance for the entire organisation. You can meet them below.
Our Trustees
Sir Jonathan Portal - Chair
I was born and brought up near Overton, Hampshire where, for 300 years, my family ran Portals Ltd the banknote making business. I graduated from Edinburgh University and qualified as a chartered accountant. My early career was spent in London, running the finances for a variety of small and medium sized companies. Latterly I built a portfolio of small companies, providing part time professional help and relishing the variety and opportunities to make a difference.
A past Master of the Clothworkers Livery Company in London, I have also held
other pro-bono positions, including two Winchester Cathedral committees, Step
by Step, Explore and CPRE. In addition, I am a partner for ‘Hampshire 2050’, Hampshire County Council’s strategic planning initiative.
I have always had a great affection for St Cross. My maternal Grandmother, Barbara Selwyn, lived in Priors Barton and I enjoyed staying with her. I have a deep love of Norman architecture and every visit to the chapel is special for me. As Chair, my ambition is to leave the Hospital in an even better place than I found it.
Sudhakar Achwal - Mayor
I am a chemical engineer by profession and began my career in academia before
transitioning into industry in my late thirties. Since then, I have worked as a process
consultant specialising in petrochemical and polymer technologies. This role has
allowed me to travel extensively, live among diverse cultures, and gain valuable
insight into global working environments.
Alongside my professional life, I have
always found time to volunteer with various organisations, driven by a deep
commitment to community and service.
In recent years, I have become more involved in public life. After serving as a ward
councillor for Whiteley and Shedfield in the Winchester district, I was honoured to be
elected as Mayor of Winchester. This role has given me the opportunity to meet a
wide range of people across the district and support many incredible initiatives that
make a difference in the lives of local residents.
Historically, the Mayor of Winchester is automatically appointed as a trustee of the
Hospital of St Cross. While the role is ceremonial in origin, I see it as far more than
tradition. Becoming a trustee of this remarkable institution aligns closely with my own
values of public service, care for others, and preserving local heritage. The Hospital
of St Cross represents centuries of compassion and community support, and I am
proud to play a role in ensuring its mission continues to thrive for generations to
come.
Angela Clear - Chair (Visitors)
LEFT SECONDARY SCHOOL TO WORK IN AN OFFICE AND BECAME IN CHARGE OF
ACCOUNTS DEPARTMENT. ONCE MARRIED AND HAD A SON I FURTHERED MY
CAREER BY STUDYING FOR A TEACHING MONTESSORI DIPLOMA AND BECAME
DEPUTY HEAD AT A LOCAL PRIVATE SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN AGED 2-7 YEARS.
WHEN THE HEAD RETIRED I TOOK OVER THE SCHOOL.I WAS CHAIR OF WICKHAM
PARISH COUNCIL, AND LATER WAS ASKED TO BECOME A WINCHESTER CITY
COUNCILLOR.
CURRENT ROLE.
I AM A WINCHESTER CITY COUNCILLOR FOR SOUTHWICK AND WICKHAM WARD
WHICH I HAVE ENJOYED SINCE 2005.I HAD THE GREAT HONOUR OF BECOMING
MAYOR OF WINCHESTER AND DISTRICT IN 2015 AND AGAIN IN 2023.
ONE OF MY APPOINTMENTS AS A WINCHESTER COUNCILLOR WAS TO BE A
TRUSTEE FOR ST.CROSS. I AM NOW CHAIR OF THE VISITORS COMMITTEE AT
ST.CROSS AND THOROUGHLY ENJOY MY TIME SPENT WITH THE BROTHERS AND
STAFF.
Chris Higgins - Chair (Property)
Chris Higgins was a Chartered Surveyor with 50 years experience in Building & Architecture, both in the public & private sectors. For 11 years he was a partner of an architectural practice before becoming the Director of Estates for 2 Universities, where he used his experience to maintain various mixed campuses & to commission some award winning major new buildings.
Chris was responsible for creating a new campus at West Downs for The University of Winchester, before being head hunted to a similar role at The London School of Economics. He has a love of historical buildings, and considers it a privilege to play some part in maintaining & preserving the heritage of The Hospital and it’s grounds for future generations.
When a friend approached Chris to ask if he’d consider becoming a Trustee, it seemed a very appropriate suggestion as he was nearing retirement. It also blended well with Chris’ lifelong commitment to the Anglican Church. He is an active member of the parish of St Lawrence with St Swithun upon Kingsgate, where he also maintains the building fabric.
Chris is now Chairman of Property Committee, where he oversees the maintenance of the buildings & grounds including the wonderful Chapel. Current projects include a car parking strategy, the phased refurbishment of the Brother’s Lodgings & upgrading the lighting in the
Chapel.
Richard Hills - Chair (Finance)
Richard has a degree in chemistry and an MSc in Management Science from Imperial College. He has held senior management positions at two leading U.K. asset management companies where he was also a member of their Investment Policy Committees. He has managed global equity portfolios for Oxbridge colleges, corporate pension funds, local authority superannuation funds and investment trusts. In 1992 he formed his own company
which he later sold in 2002. He has been a director and has chaired many quoted companies operating in diverse areas including investment trusts, software, forestry and mining. In the private sector he chaired the Aztec Group one of Europe’s largest funds administration companies. He was also a director of Cinven and the UK subsidiary of EQT, two major international private equity houses. He has advised a number of institutions on corporate strategy and acted as a specialist witness in a major fraud case.
He is a council member of City University and a former Master of the Worshipful Company
of Pewterers. He supports Bath Rugby Club and enjoys fishing and history.
His current position is chairman of the Finance Committee. This role covers overseeing the day to day finances of the Hospital and ensuring that its investments are suitably managed. He also monitors projects across the estate ensuring that they are based on a sound business plan.
He first became aware of the enigmatic Hospital of St Cross while studying English Local History at Oxford University. When an opportunity arose to get involved he leapt at it. Working for such an ancient and venerable institution is an ideal fit for him; combining his two core interests of finance and history. He is keen to pass on what he has learnt in the world of finance to help the Hospital wherever possible.
Imogen Lyndon-Skeggs - Chair (Risk Management)
Having studied English Literature at Cambridge University I moved into the Lloyd’s
Insurance market to underwrite a number of classes that included insurance for accident and
illness risks, contingency for the cancellation and weather risks of public events, and also
fine art. In 2004 we started a new insurance company in Guernsey concentrating on
international business, largely in the Latin American market and specialising in the protection
of political risks, health risks and the management of kidnaps for ransom.
As a founding director of an insurance company with qualifications and commercial
experience in that highly regulated market and more than 35 years on a Board, I bring
business experience to the Board of Trustees of the Hospital, with an understanding of the
day-to-day running a business entity. I now sit as chair of the Risk Management Committee
which oversees the legal compliance, risk assessment and management, health and safety
risks, and the business strategy and policies of the Hospital.
The Hospital of St Cross is a remarkable institution of deep historical significance, preserved
in its unique location by the care and skill of its staff and Trustees. For this there are clearly
many very different tasks required, in the same way as is required in the management of a
small company, but new projects that involve innovation are what bring the most enjoyment.
Working with the Brothers as residents, other Trustees and other Almshouses we seek new
opportunities to preserve what we have, but build for the future as we near our 900 th year.
William Corbett
I am a retired solicitor with a lifelong interest in chuches and medieval buildings
I was born in Winchester and first visited St Cross before I was 10 years old. I have visited
regularly ever since. My very first photographs taken with a Box Brownie camera are of St Cross. The tranquility of St Cross , the beauty of its buildings, the continuity of Christian worship in the Chapel and the fact that the buildings are still used for their original purpose makes it a very special place. St Cross provides a home for 25 elderly Brothers allowing them to live independently but within a community with support. It is a model for social housing which is as valid today as when the Hospital was founded 900 years ago.
I became a trustee because I wanted to use the expertise and skills which I have built up in my life to try and conserve and maintain such a wonderful institution.
Professor William Hellier - Chair (Welfare)
ENT Hospital Consultant
Reverend Dominik Chmielewski - Master
My name is the Reverend Dominik Chmielewski, and I am the 70th Master of the Hospital of St Cross. I am also the Rector of the local Parish of St Faith in the Diocese of Winchester. The Parish of St Faith and the Hospital of St Cross are joined together by the place of worship, namely the stunningly beautiful Norman Church of St Cross, which the two communities share since 1508. Before moving to Winchester in 2022, I ministered in Parishes in West Sussex and Oxfordshire. Ahead of my ordination to the sacred priesthood I read theology at Ripon College Cuddesdon, Oxford; I also hold a MA degree in Theology from Durham University. Prior to that, I read History at the Jagiellonian University in Cracow, Poland.
My particular responsibility n the Board of Trustees is the spiritual and pastoral care of the Brothers and of the wider community of St Cross. As an ordained priest in the Church of England I ensure that all the Brothers have access to the sacramental life of the Church. I lead Brothers in the daily life of prayer. We all gather every morning, Monday to Saturday, to say Matins together in the quire of our Church. This tradition dates back to the days of our foundation in 12th century. Bishop Henry de Blois, our Founder, wanted St Cross to be a place of Christian prayer, charity and hospitality. It is an immense privilege to be part of this ancient tradition, which dates back to 1132. My greatest desire as the Master of St Cross is to uphold and preserve the Christian values and traditions of our Foundation for the generations to come.
Adam Rattray
Adam Rattray is Head of Art History at Winchester College. Previously he worked at Wellington College.
Along with teaching, his experience has been in a variety of heritage-related projects, most recently with the restoration of the house where Jane Austen died, No. 8 College St.
He is Winchester College’s representative at St. Cross and is the Trustee responsible for the 900th anniversary celebrations in 2032, working with Louise Wood in the office and the Brothers.
Felicity Pennycrook
I am a Chartered Accountant and I trained with and worked for KPMG for several years both in the UK (London and Guildford) and abroad (Amsterdam and Brussels). I subsequently moved back to Amsterdam and worked for a number of international companies, including Mattel and Benckiser, in various finance positions before returning again to the UK. Alongside roles as treasurer for a number of small groups and associations and bringing up our son, I also studied with the Open University. I completed a BA and then an MA, both in Art History and also became very involved with the Winchester Art History Group, where I work as a volunteer organising lectures and trips.
My main role in The Hospital of St Cross is as Honorary Treasurer, working closely with the Finance manager and the Clerk of the Trustees to produce the annual audited Financial Statements and complete the Charity Commission return. I am also very involved in the annual budget and, of course, monitoring the monthly management accounts. I also sit on and contribute to the Visitors’ Committee and the Risk Management Committee and in addition represent the Hospital on the Board of the Friends of St Cross.
I became a Trustee because I find the Hospital fascinating, both architecturally and as an institution. There is so much going on, the buildings and grounds are beautiful in all weathers and I find the Brothers interesting, engaging and good company. In running an almshouse and maintaining ancient buildings, the role of Trustee covers so many different things. The whole Hospital is full of atmosphere and steeped in history. I feel very privileged to be able to play my part in that history and to contribute some of my experience to its continuation.
Dr Jonathan Sleath
I worked as a GP partner in a rural General Practice in Herefordshire until 2018, when I
retired and we moved to St Cross. My wife was born in Winchester and grew up in St Cross, and we have taken great pleasure in joining and being welcomed into the community. We are active members of the parish of St Faith, worshipping regularly at St Cross. My interests are varied and include Natural History, and I am the North Hampshire bryophyte recorder. I am also Chairman of the Clausentum Fen Conservation Group.
I currently sit on the Welfare, Visitors and Safeguarding committees. I help in the
assessment of potential new Brothers and have regular contact with the Warden and the current Brothers. I no longer practice as a doctor, but am able to draw on my experience to give advice when needed. I am also interested in the gardens, grounds and landscape, and volunteer in the Hundred Mens’ Hall tea room and sometimes in the Porters’ Lodge.
Trustees are usually invited to join because they have acquired skills and experience that they are willing to put to use for the benefit of the charity. Having been in general practice for nearly 40 years, I am able to advise on matters relating to the fitness, health and wellbeing of the Brothers. I am interested in historic buildings and am sensitive to the special qualities of such a beautiful and historic site. Knowing the place well as a volunteer, I am very happy to have the opportunity to contribute further.
Gill Beck
Church Warden
Professor William Hellier
ENT Hospital Consultant
