Meet our team

Roger Walton, Chair of Trustees

Roger Walton brings extensive leadership experience and a deep commitment to public service in his role as Chair of Trustees at Martha Trust. A chartered civil engineer by training, Roger began his career in the private sector before moving into local government, where he served for many years as a Director at Dover District Council. Now retired from his professional role, Roger continues to dedicate his time and expertise to community-focused initiatives.

Alongside his work with Martha Trust, Roger is Chair of Governors at a local primary school and an active member of the Dover Rotary Club, where he supports local charitable projects. Married and a father of two, Roger is passionate about creating inclusive environments where people of all abilities can thrive.

As Chair of Trustees, Roger provides strategic oversight and guidance, helping to ensure that Martha Trust remains true to its mission and values. His thoughtful leadership and strong sense of civic responsibility make him a valued steward of the charity’s future.

Humphrey Clarke

Humphrey has been a dedicated supporter of Martha Trust for many years, both as a Trustee and previously as Chair of the Board. His connection to the charity began through a personal journey—his daughter, Beth, who has profound disabilities, first came to Martha for respite care. That experience sparked a lasting relationship built on trust, compassion, and shared values.

With a professional background in building engineering, Humphrey brings valuable technical expertise to the organisation.

Humphrey’s insight, lived experience, and professional knowledge make him a vital member of the Board. His ongoing commitment reflects a deep belief in Martha’s mission to provide exceptional care and support for people with profound disabilities.

John Quin

John brings a wealth of strategic leadership and financial expertise to his role as Finance Trustee at Martha Trust. A former CEO with extensive experience in both governance and financial oversight, John served as Chair of the MAF UK Board from 2007 to 2010, where he helped guide the organisation through a period of growth and operational development.

At Martha, John plays a vital role in safeguarding the charity’s financial health and long-term sustainability. He provides expert advice and support to the CEO and Associate Director of Finance, helping to shape financial strategy, strengthen risk management, and ensure robust financial controls are in place.

John’s deep understanding of charity finance, combined with his board-level experience, makes him an invaluable member of the Trustee team. His thoughtful guidance helps Martha Trust remain resilient, transparent, and well-positioned to continue delivering exceptional care for people with profound disabilities.

Georgina Hovey

Georgina brings decades of experience and sector knowledge to her role as Trustee at Martha Trust. Her involvement with FitzRoy Support, a national charity supporting people with learning disabilities, began in 1990. From 2001 to 2016, Georgina served on FitzRoy’s Board of Trustees, where she developed extensive expertise in charity governance, strategic oversight, and service delivery.

Her long-standing commitment to the learning disability sector has given Georgina a thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities involved in providing high-quality, person-centred care. She continues to champion inclusive practices and supports Martha Trust in maintaining strong governance and delivering impactful services.

Georgina’s insight, experience, and dedication make her a valued member of the Board, helping to guide the charity’s mission with clarity and compassion.

Richard Pitt

Richard is a practicing solicitor based in Canterbury, with extensive experience across all areas of private client care. His legal expertise spans wills, probate, estate planning, and family matters—making him a valuable asset to Martha Trust in ensuring sound governance and compliance.

As a Trustee, Richard brings a thoughtful and principled approach to decision-making, informed by both his professional background and his commitment to ethical practice. He is also a member of the Christian Fellowship of Lawyers, reflecting his dedication to integrity and service within the legal profession.

Richard’s insight and legal acumen support Martha Trust’s mission to provide compassionate, high-quality care, while safeguarding the charity’s long-term interests.

Dr Rebecca Pryse

Dr Pryse brings a wealth of clinical experience and compassionate insight to her role as Trustee at Martha Trust. A former GP, Rebecca qualified from Guy’s Hospital and began her medical career with junior doctor posts in London before completing her GP training in Sheffield.

She spent over two decades as a GP Partner in Buckinghamshire, where she provided dedicated care to a diverse patient population. Her responsibilities included overseeing the clinical wellbeing of a large boarding school and a local care home, alongside contributing at board level within the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). This breadth of experience has given her a deep understanding of both frontline care and strategic healthcare planning.

Rebecca and her family have since returned to Walmer, close to where she was raised. She is delighted to bring her clinical knowledge and personal commitment to support the team at Martha Trust. Her insight into complex care needs and her passion for person-centred healthcare make her a valued member of the Board.

Robert Sparkes

Rob has been a proud resident of Deal for nearly 30 years and brings a unique blend of technical expertise and community spirit to his role as Trustee at Martha Trust. With a professional background in IT, Rob has worked across both the NHS and private sector, gaining valuable experience in systems management, digital infrastructure, and technology-driven service delivery. His insight into operational efficiency and data security adds an important dimension to the charity’s governance.

Currently training to become a Church of England minister, Rob is deeply committed to pastoral care and supporting others. His journey reflects a strong dedication to service—both spiritual and practical—and aligns closely with Martha’s values of compassion, dignity, and inclusion.

Rob’s combination of technical knowledge, local roots, and emerging ministry brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective to the Board. He is proud to support an organisation that makes a meaningful difference in the lives of people with profound disabilities.

Julie Gayler

Julie joined Martha in 2009 as Fundraising and Communications Manager, bringing with her a strong foundation in marketing and brand development. Her early career included roles at Mini Babybel, where she achieved her Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing, followed by senior leadership positions at the Charities Aid Foundation, including Head of Marketing & Business Development for Individual Donors and Head of Marketing and Customer Communications.

Since joining Martha, Julie’s journey has been one of continuous growth and transformation. Initially appointed to lead in fundraising and marketing, she embraced the opportunity to expand her expertise into care operations—ultimately managing all our homes. Her dedication and leadership led to her appointment as Deal Registered Home Manager, alongside her role as Director of Marketing & Communications and later Deputy CEO.

Julie’s progression is a testament to Martha’s commitment to nurturing talent and developing careers from within. With Martha’s support she has completed a Master’s Degree (MSc) in Voluntary Sector Management. In recognition of her outstanding contribution and vision, the Trustees appointed Julie as CEO in 2023.

Claire Rogerson

Claire began her career at Martha Trust in 2009 as a Finance Assistant, but it was her transition into Human Resources that truly sparked her passion for working with people. After gaining her CIPD qualification, Claire quickly established herself as a key figure in the organisation’s HR function.

Today, Claire is a vital member of the Senior Management Team, leading on HR, recruitment, and staff training. Her commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive workplace culture has helped shape Martha into an environment where both residents and staff can thrive.

Claire is energised by the variety her role brings and takes great pride in being part of an organisation that champions personal growth and excellence. In recognition of her leadership and dedication, Claire was appointed Deputy CEO in 2024.

Phil Linkin

Phil began his nursing journey in 1983 as a support worker at Bexley Hospital in Kent, before qualifying as a nurse the following year. His passion for supporting individuals with complex physical and learning disabilities took root in 1998, and has shaped his career ever since.

Phil first connected with Martha Trust in an unexpected way—performing with a brass band to entertain residents, families, and staff. Inspired by the organisation’s ethos and community spirit, he joined the team shortly after as a nurse. Since then, Phil has held a variety of roles, including many years as Registered Home Manager, where his clinical expertise and compassionate leadership made a lasting impact.

Now serving as Associate Director of Health and Social Care and Registered Home Manager for our homes in Deal, Phil is the clinical lead on Martha’s Senior Management Team. He oversees the quality and delivery of care across the organisation, drawing on decades of experience in the independent care sector. His deep commitment to person-centred care and professional development continues to shape Martha’s approach to excellence.

Having been part of Martha since 2002, Phil describes this chapter of his career as one of the most rewarding. He remains dedicated to the residents, families, and staff—and says he looks forward to continuing in this role until retirement.

Kelly Hutchings

Kelly Hutchings joined Martha Trust in 2008 as Finance Officer, bringing with her a solid background in the insurance sector and a keen eye for financial detail. Kelly’s transition into the charity sector marked the beginning of a long-standing commitment to supporting Martha’s mission through sound financial stewardship and strategic planning.

Over the years, Kelly has played a pivotal role in strengthening the organisation’s financial operations. In 2017, she was promoted to Finance Manager, where she led on budgeting, financial reporting, and compliance—ensuring transparency and accountability across all areas of the charity’s work.

In 2024, Kelly was appointed Associate Director of Finance, joining the Senior Management Team. In this role, she oversees the charity’s financial strategy, risk management, and long-term sustainability. Her financial leadership ensures that Martha Trust continues to operate efficiently and responsibly, enabling the organisation to deliver high-quality care and support to residents.

Kelly has 17 years of finance experience, holds the level 2 AAT qualification, the CIMA Certificate in Business Accounting and is currently studying for her full CIMA qualification.

Alice Moir

Alice brings over 25 years of experience in marketing and fundraising, with a career that bridges both commercial and charitable sectors. She holds a BSc in Decision Sciences—an analytical degree focused on business forecasting and strategic decision-making—which laid the foundation for her data-driven approach to marketing.

Alice began her career as a Marketing Analyst at Saga, where she honed her skills in consumer insight and campaign performance. Her passion for purpose-led work led her into the charity sector, where she spent a decade as Marketing Manager at the Charities Aid Foundation. There, she led marketing for corporate charity services, including the payroll giving scheme, Give As You Earn.

Alongside her role at CAF, Alice also contributed to marketing IT support to schools at Kent County Council and provided consultancy support to smaller charities across Kent—helping them sharpen their fundraising strategies and build sustainable marketing plans.

Alice joined Martha Trust in 2010 as Direct Marketing Officer and quickly progressed through the organisation, becoming Marketing Manager, then Associate Director of Fundraising and Marketing, joining the Senior Management Team. In 2024, she was appointed to Director.

Today, Alice leads a dedicated and high-performing fundraising team at Martha. Her strategic vision, combined with a deep understanding of donor engagement and brand development, has helped grow support for the charity and amplify its mission. Alice is driven by a genuine passion to make a difference and is proud to work for an organisation that puts people at the heart of everything it does.

Hady Tagg

Since joining Martha in December 2017 as a Support Worker, Hady has steadily progressed through the organisation, demonstrating a deep commitment to compassionate care and service development. His natural ability to support others and improve lives—especially those facing significant challenges—quickly became evident, leading to his transition into an administrative role in January 2021.

With a keen eye for detail and a strong sense of responsibility, Hady stepped into the role of Home Support Manager in February 2022, followed by his appointment as Home Manager in August of the same year. In August 2025, Hady proudly became Registered Home Manager, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a heartfelt dedication to the people we support.

Health and Social Care has always been his calling. Hady’s strengths lie in the administrative and managerial aspects of the role, where he thrives in creating systems that ensure safety, dignity, and meaningful outcomes for residents. Hady is passionate about contributing to the success of the service and leads with both empathy and professionalism.

His journey is a testament to the values at the heart of Martha—growth, care, and unwavering commitment to making a difference.