"The point of the Sanctuary is that we as a community can come together to support each other - people with cancer, people touched by cancer, and people who simply want to help – assisted by qualified cancer professionals."
Nikki Lynds-Xavier, our founder
Established by Nikki Lynds-Xavier in 2024 following her personal experience of cancer, our trustee group is dedicated to changing the level of local support available to our community.
Our patron is Tim Mitchell, President of the Royal College of Surgeons and in addition, we have the support of many local health practitioners.
Having worked in the NHS for over 35 years, I have seen a dramatic improvement in cancer care and the outcomes for cancer patients. But people with cancer and their families need much more assistance than medical care alone. I am therefore delighted to offer my support to the Winchester Cancer Sanctuary, which provides that holistic support locally for people living with cancer and the aftermath of its treatment.
Nikki, a retired solicitor and litigation partner, has over 30 years of experience advising the corporate and charity sectors both at executive and board level. She was also a trustee for over 9 years of Two Saints, a local charity specialising in supporting homeless men with drug and alcohol dependencies. In addition, during this time, she was Chair of its Governance Committee.
Nikki is now a local yoga teacher and the creator of Stiff Guy Yoga [as featured by Ed Balls on the BBC’s One Show]. When not in class, Nikki sees clients privately as The Doctor’s Daughter, using therapeutic and restorative yoga techniques to help alleviate pain, injury or stress.
In 2023 Nikki was diagnosed with cancer and is now in remission.
Steve Brine is an experienced and well-known local politician who was MP for Winchester & Chandler's Ford from 2010-2024.
For the best part of 20 years he was in front-line politics, serving as an MP, Government Minister and most recently, Select Committee Chair. He retired from the House of Commons in 2024 after a successful Westminster career in which he held positions as a Government Whip, Public Health Minister and Chair of the high-profile Health & Social Care Select Committee.
Steve is passionate about cancer, the prevention of ill health and many areas of primary care. As cancer Minister, he wrote the 28-day faster diagnosis standard - and the aim to diagnose three-quarters of cancer at stage 1 and 2 - into the cancer plan for England. He also commissioned the ‘FIT’ test; the first nationwide bowel cancer screening programme now offered regularly to everyone over 50. And he designed the extension of the HPV vaccination programme to all teenage boys as part of the ambition to eliminate cervical cancer entirely by 2030. Before politics, Steve worked as a broadcast radio journalist (in the U.K. and US), business consultancy and co-founded a successful PR and brand marketing company working in the golf industry. He now works in the private sector as an advisor, business leader, broadcaster and speaker and co-hosts the 'Prevention is the new cure' health and politics podcast.
Chris has significant international senior leadership experience and has served on boards for companies across the FTSE and AIM. He has worked across the software, technology, and telecommunications sectors.
He completed his executive career in January 2024 as CEO of fraud prevention software group GBG PLC and since focuses his time on charitable, volunteer and advisory work including being a business mentor for young people with The King’s Trust.
Chris is keen to be involved with the Winchester Cancer Sanctuary recognising, from personal experience, the need for holistic cancer support in the Winchester area where Chris and his family have lived for over 20 years.
Chris hopes his international business experience and passion for helping those touched by cancer can help the Winchester Cancer Sanctuary positively impact the lives of many in the local area.
Lindsey is a Winchester based UK Chartered Patent Attorney, European Patent Attorney and European Patent Litigator. She has over 30 years experience in the profession and specialises in the biotechnology area. The majority of her experience is in the pharmaceutical field, having worked for a large pharmaceutical company for a number of years, including work relating to cancer pharmaceutical drugs.
Lindsey's grandmother, great aunt and mother were all diagnosed with breast cancer and in 2021 Lindsey was diagnosed with breast cancer and is now in remission. Lindsey was supported a great deal by friends who had been through a similar experience. The Winchester Cancer Sanctuary will give cancer sufferers strength and support by sharing experiences with other people that have had cancer, so they do not feel they are alone.
Andy has over 40 years of financial and commercial experience, having qualified as a chartered accountant with EY where he spent the first ten years of his career. He worked in Group Finance Director/CFO roles for over 20 years on main boards of UK listed and private equity backed companies, operating in global markets focused on the technology, rail, aerospace, and defence industries. In 2015 he formed his own business advisory consultancy and now works with a variety of clients, including AIM listed, and private equity backed businesses.
Andy and his family have lived in Winchester since the mid 1990’s. From the experiences of his family and friends, Andy understands the impact that cancer diagnoses have on individuals, their families and friends, and is excited by the benefits that the Winchester Cancer Sanctuary’s services and support will bring to the community.
After over 30 years working in the consumer goods industry, focusing on delivering high levels of service through engaged teams, Paula retired from her role as HR Director in March 2024.
She has volunteered with NSPCC Childline service for 15 years, visiting local schools to promote child welfare messages. More recently she has trained to become an advisor for Citizens Advice, helping clients with a range of issues including benefits and debt.
Paula lives in Shawford and is keen to use her business, people and organisation skills to support this much needed service.
Andrew has over 45 years of experience as an international shipbroker, leading innovative shipping projects worldwide. Beyond shipping, he also heads a construction company, managing both residential and commercial developments with a keen focus on quality and efficiency.
Andrew’s entrepreneurial expertise in leadership, project delivery, and commercial strategy has been instrumental in successfully navigating complex ventures across industries. His commitment to excellence extends beyond business, as demonstrated by his nine-year tenure as Chair of St Cross Cricket Club, Winchester. In recognition of his dedication and impact on the local community he now holds the honorary title of Life Vice President.
On a personal level, Andrew’s life was deeply shaped by the loss of his mother to breast cancer at the age of 58 - an event that ignited his passion for improving cancer care. Today, he is honoured to channel this commitment into the Winchester Cancer Sanctuary, where he applies his professional expertise and personal dedication to driving this vital initiative forward.
Rowena is a dedicated student at the University of Winchester, currently studying Dietetics. Passionate about health and wellbeing, Rowena is committed to making a positive impact and helping others in any way she can. Alongside her studies, she shares her expertise by teaching Pilates, promoting physical and mental wellness. Through her involvement with the Winchester Cancer Sanctuary, Rowena strives to support those affected by cancer, bringing her knowledge and compassion to the charity's important work.
Since qualifying as a psychotherapist in 2017 Oliver has been an Associate for The Priory. He has worked with a domestic abuse agency and specialist EAPs (employee assistance programmes) and collaborated with local authorities, clinical commissioning groups and charities in order to promote, sell and mobilise a digital counselling service for children and young people. He has also supported the long-term unemployed through Working Minds in association with the Department for Work and Pensions.
In order to help young men and boys feel easier about accessing therapy and so drive male engagement in services he wrote, produced and directed a short film called The Dark Heart Therapy in association with XenZone.
Oliver has lived locally in Winchester for eight years. As a teenager in Kent he saw his grandfather deteriorate from lung cancer and chemotherapy. As one of the trustees with the Winchester Cancer Sanctuary his personal priority is to secure funding in order establish a counselling service that will support those diagnosed along with their families through what he is aware is a deeply challenging time.
Clive spent 10 years as CEO of St John's Winchester, one of the country's oldest Charities, providing affordable housing (almshouses), homecare and an Admiral Nurse service supporting those with dementia. During this time, the charity was restructured launching new outreach services for the benefit of vulnerable older people in Winchester.
Before that Clive was a corporate partner of Baker & McKenzie, a global law firm, spending time in their London, Singapore, Budapest and Hong Kong offices. He worked on ground-breaking privatisations transactions in Central Europe and then became Managing Partner of Baker & McKenzie in South-East Asia for 3 years.
Clive was 29 when he lost his Mum to cancer when few support services existed. He retired in 2024 and wants to support the Winchester Cancer Sanctuary to offer a much-needed local service.