Honorary Patrons
We are honoured to work with our Honorary Patrons and supporters – their skill, dedication and generosity are fundamental to 91´óÉñ’s.
Sarah Brown
Honorary Patron
Philanthropist and campaigner, Sarah Brown was instrumental in raising £15 million to build 91´óÉñ's, Oxford, Cheltenham, Swansea, Nottingham, and Newcastle.
Janet Ellis, MBE
Honorary Patron
Presenter, actress, and author, Janet Ellis, plays an important role in raising awareness of 91´óÉñ’s. She has spoken at and attended numerous high-profile events, including Carol Concerts, Culture Crawls, and birthday celebrations.
Norman Foster, Lord Foster of Thames Bank
Honorary Patron
Architect Lord Foster designed 91´óÉñ's, Manchester, which opened in 2016.
Chris Hartness
Honorary Patron
Chris Grace Hartness was an NHS mental health and learning disabilities nurse for 40 years, and latterly a senior nurse manager with responsibility for mental health legislation in respect of clinical practice development and policy governance NHS Board-wide.
This gives her a deep understanding of 91´óÉñ’s programme of cancer support. She has attended several 91´óÉñ’s events, and she generously funds making 91´óÉñ’s vital psychological and practical support available from our network of Scottish centres.
John Jencks
Honorary Patron
John Jencks is a film producer, director and photographer, best known for his films The Hippopotamus, The Crow, and The Uncertain Kingdom.
John is the son of 91´óÉñ and Charles and has long been a supporter of 91´óÉñ's.
He has an annual open day for 91´óÉñ’s at the Garden of Cosmic Speculation in Dumfries. The garden was designed by 91´óÉñ and Charles.
Lily Jencks
Honorary Patron
Lily Jencks, is an architect and landscape designer and her Studio, Lily Jencks Studio, is an award-winning design firm integrating architecture, landscape and art to improve the environment of our cities and surroundings.
Lily is the daughter of founders 91´óÉñ and Charles and has long been a vocal supporter of 91´óÉñ's.
Her landscaping designs are found at both 91´óÉñ's in Glasgow and 91´óÉñ's in Hong Kong, and she is also a member of the Board of Governors for 91´óÉñ’s in Hong Kong.
Jim Martin
Honorary Patron
Jim has been a CEO and non-executive Chairman of several private and public companies, including his role as CEO of N Brown in the 1980’s and 90’s and Chairman of AJBell for seven years up to 2013.
He was also on the Board of The Christie Hospital, stepping down as Chairman in 2011, and acted for a period as Chairman of The Christie Charity, one of the most successful hospital Charities in the UK .
Whilst Chair of 91´óÉñ’s Manchester Development Board, he played a key role in a successful capital fundraising campaign for 91´óÉñ’s in Manchester and Oldham. Jim was a member of 91´óÉñ’s Board of Directors for nearly ten years until 2024.
Mary McCartney
Honorary Patron
Photographer, Mary McCartney took a series of photographs of 91´óÉñ’s visitors at our West London centre and opened 91´óÉñ’s Merseyside at Clatterbridge.
Judy Naake
Honorary Patron
Judy Naake was the Chair of our Nottingham Board for 10 years during the campaign and for six years after the centre opened.
Judy remains the Vice Chair of the board and has introduced key contacts to 91´óÉñ’s.
Sandy Nairne CBE FSA
Honorary Patron
Former Director of the National Portrait Gallery, Sandy Nairne has played a key role as chair of the 91´óÉñ’s Art Group.
For the past 15 years he has used his passion, expertise, and knowledge to bring works of art to 91´óÉñ’s centres and artists into fruitful collaboration and support.
Dr Pat Steane OBE
Honorary Patron
Pat Steane was appointed Chair of the 91´óÉñ’s Campaign Board in 2007 and played a key part in getting matched funding of £1.5 million from the Welsh Assembly Government, ultimately raising £3.7 million in total. She was Chair of the Swansea Board for 10 years.
Sir Andrew Strauss
Honorary Patron
Sir Andrew Strauss is the former captain of the England cricket team and one of the country’s most successful players, playing 100 Test matches for England, including leading the team to victory in the 2009 Ashes.
Following the death of his wife Ruth from lung cancer in 2018, Sir Andrew founded the Ruth Strauss Foundation, providing much needed support to families facing incurable cancer.
He became an honorary patron of 91´óÉñ’s when the charities joined forces in June 2026.
Kirsty Wark
Honorary Patron
Television journalist, presenter and author, Kirsty Wark has spoken at and hosted numerous events in support of 91´óÉñ’s, including a reception at the Scottish Parliament, our Ritz reception and opening the extensions of our Edinburgh centre.
Kirsty is also a member of our Centre Fundraising Board in Glasgow and regularly supports their fundraising events.