Professor Fiona Irvine is  an Emeritus Professor of the University of Birmingham, having taken early retirement following the death of her daughter, Primrose, from colorectal cancer. Whilst working, she headed a team of nurse academics who taught undergraduate and post graduate nursing and undertook research on end-of-life care.

Since retirement, Fiona has hiked to Everest Base Camp, climbed Mount Kilimanjaro, and climbed Island Peak in the Himalayas.  She enjoys hiking with her two collies, and also does some standup comedy. Fiona volunteers in the bar and coffee shop at her community-owned public house and serves as a school governor at the local primary school. Fiona has learnt to speak Welsh and uses this in her voluntary work.

Whilst living with cancer, Primrose and Fiona’s family benefited from the support of St Kentigern as an outpatient. Acting as a trustee will allow her to ‘give something back’ to the hospice.

Fiona was appointed as a Trustee in May 2024 and also sits on the Quality and Safety Committee.