Our Board

When I first met Nicola and the amazing team at Held in our Hearts and began to see the incredible work they do with compassion and love, I was instantly drawn to want to help and support this wonderful organisation.  I was particularly inspired by the charity’s ambition to make the amazing care that Held in our Hearts provides available to every family across Scotland who suffers the devastating loss of a child.

My career has mainly been in technology consulting but I have also, in parallel, held a number of charity board positions with Children 1^st, Trust Housing Association, PoppyScotland and SCVO and I hope to bring this experience to bear in my role as Chair.

I am married with three children and generally enjoy sports that we can all participate in as a family – sailing, golf and hillwalking with our two labradors.  I am currently studying Counselling at Edinburgh University and I hope that this gives me a good insight into the work that our peer supporters and counsellors do.

I am a consultant obstetrician at the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh and Honorary Senior Lecturer at Edinburgh University Medical School. Originally from Edinburgh, I did my undergraduate medical degree at Edinburgh University and then postgraduate training in Yorkshire and the South East of Scotland. I have been a consultant in Edinburgh since 2001 during which time I was labour ward lead for 10 years. My main area of interests are labour ward, high risk antenatal care and preterm labour especially with regard to cervical weakness. I am also interested in undergraduate and postgraduate medical education and support of trainees and students. I live in Edinburgh with my husband and our three sons.

My son died aged two days old in 1991 and I have been a constant supporter of the charity following the help that was provided to me and my family. I was elected Chair in 2015 and live in Edinburgh with my wife Debbie. I have three other children, Matthew, Edward and Nathan. My background is in financial services, property and banking and this extensive experience and strategic planning capabilities help me ensure the organisation continues to achieve its core objectives.

Throughout her career, care of bereaved families has been an important part of France's work and she has seen many changes since first qualifying as a midwife in 1986.

Frances worked as a midwife in Lothian starting in Bangour in 1987 and then St John's Hospital in Livingston when it opened and held various senior roles within NHS Lothian. She was the Clinical Manager at St John's Hospital when she met Nicola and worked collaboratively with her to improve the care for bereaved families at St John's. Frances was appointed Chief Midwife in 2015 and continued to work with Nicola and HIOH with a dedicated team of midwives, passionate about bereavement care, Frances made positive changes to the care of bereaved families in the Maternity unit of the Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh.  She says; "It is so important for maternity services to listen to and work with charities such as Held in Our Hearts if care for bereaved parents is to improve and meet the needs of all bereaved families”. 

Although she retired in September 2020 Frances hopes that with her background knowledge of maternity services in Lothian she can contribute to the amazing work that Held In Our Hearts does on a daily basis.

With over twenty five years of senior level experience in local government, the civil service and the private sector I have long championed the delivery of high quality services which meet the needs of individuals and families through meaningful engagement and by building relationships and partnerships of trust and respect. This commitment was strengthened through my work in response to the report by Dame Eilish Angiolini into Mortonhall, my role as Inspector for Funeral Directors in Scotland and as Chair of the Independent Funeral Standards Organisation. I have worked alongside colleagues in Held in our Hearts since 2017, and have been a huge supporter of their meaningful and necessary work throughout the years, therefore it is the greatest privilege to be able to serve on their Board at a time of growth and further development.  

As a bereaved parent I know first-hand the invaluable support that Held in our Hearts provides.  Our daughter Eloise was stillborn in 2016 and we knew no-one who had been through such a traumatic experience and we were offered limited support.  I was put in touch with the charity through a friend and immediately felt part of a community of families and professionals full of compassion and empathy.

I have over 25 years’ experience in human resources, incorporating recruitment, compensation and business partnering, as well as previous trustee experience with an Edinburgh-based student charity.  Joining the board is a great privilege but also is my way of giving back to the charity which helped us at the worst point in our lives.  I’m excited to support Held in our Hearts using my skills and experience as it looks to expand its reach and support more families across Scotland.