The Director
Michael Jackson qualified as a solicitor in 1978 but left legal practice to become Director of the Charity in 1987. Michael was ordained priest in 2004 as an Anglican non-stipendiary minister and is now assistant curate in the parishes of Twyford, Morestead and Owslebury. He chairs the Social Transformation Forum, successor to its Council for Social Responsibility. He is a past Chairman of Age Concern Winchester and Director of The Winchester Samaritans. For some years he served as a voluntary Mental Health Act Manager at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital. He is a past executive committee member of the Almshouse Association. He is a member of the Christian Council on Ageing and has also served on its national executive. He has a grown up family and relaxes enjoying the countryside, tending his chickens, and reading.
The Assistant Director
Marjory Gilmour Qualified as a midwife in 1972 and after three years district nursing in Glasgow joined the “QAs”. She retired from the Army in 1997 on completion of a career spent in a wide variety of posts at home and abroad. In her spare time she enjoys choral singing, unskilled gardening and life with a manipulative cat.
The Accountant
Marilyn Rogers worked for NatWest bank for several years after leaving school. She went back to part and full-time education after having a family and attained a degree in Accounting at Portsmouth University. Now a qualified Chartered Management Accountant, she has been with the Charity for over eight years. She is married with two children and two grandchildren. Her hobbies include keeping rabbits and, when time prevails, walking, reading and keeping fit.
The Property Manager
Geoff Parry has over twenty-five years experience in building related services and now ensures the provision of a caring, high quality, cost effective service to all the Charity's residents. He is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of the Charity's four sites of almshouse accommodation, the two nursing homes and the Charity's commercial property portfolio.
Geoff has an interest in all sports and in his spare time enjoys playing golf and badminton.
Matron, Almshouses
Heather Buckley joined the Charity twenty-one years ago as an Assistant Matron, becoming Deputy Matron and then Matron in 2003. She is married to Mick, has two sons and one daughter, five wonderful grandchildren and one whippet. She enjoys getting involved in all the activities at St John's, and when off duty loves to escape to Devon and go sea fishing or horse racing with Mick.
Matron, Devenish House
Margaret McNeill joined St John's Winchester Charity in 2007. Born in Ireland, Margaret trained and worked as a nurse there, specialising in care of the older person, and attaining a BA Hons in Health Management in 1995. In 1996, Margaret moved to the UK, and since then has worked in various management roles in the nursing home environment. She supports the Christian ethos of the Charity, and is committed to the provision of the highest standards of care for residents. Margaret enjoys cooking, reading, comedy and music, an she and her husband Ian love to travel whenever possible.
Matron, Moorside
Annette Jopson believes she had a mid-life crisis 20 years ago when she changed career from catering to Mental Health Nursing, but has never looked back. She is an RMN who has chosen to work with dementia sufferers. She believes that in Moorside the Charity has created a home that is devoted to enhancing the lives and wellbeing of its residents which makes it a hugely satisfying place to care for residents. Annette has a son and is keen on motorbikes, painting and belly-dancing!
