Chief Executive

For more than 30 years Children's Hospice South West has been caring for children and young people with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions by providing hospice care and professional family support services. We are the only children's hospice in the South West, and we provide care from our hospices in Devon, North Somerset and Cornwall. Today, the care offered at each of our 3 hospices is not just about medical and nursing support for children and young people living with life-limiting conditions, but also about enriching the lives of them and their whole family. 2025 will be the 30th Anniversary of the opening of our first hospice, Little Bridge House, and will also mark the retirement of Eddie Farwell after 20 years as CEO. The charity has been on a phenomenal journey since its inception, touching the lives of many that have used its hospices as well as supported it. Her Majesty the Queen became its Royal Patron in 2015 and has since visited all 3 hospices. We remain committed to providing high quality, safe care and support to children and young people who may not live to their 18th birthday. This includes hospice care for the whole family and being responsive when families need us most, including at the end of life and support during bereavement. Our focus is to develop our care sustainably, ensuring we utilise our 3 hospice bases and be there when families need us most. As the leader of a high profile children’s hospice our new CEO will build on this very sound and successful base, and take the new strategy forward. You will be responsible for leading the organisation, developing and building on its excellent reputation, refining its strategic direction relevant to the external environment and delivering a step change in income generation. A hospice is all about its people so you will be focused on ensuring we work together across our diverse talents to operate as one hospice, supporting and inspiring our employees and engaging across our volunteer networks. This is a great opportunity for a CEO who will make a difference and will be rewarded both in seeing the difference we make in our 3 wonderful hospices, but in stepping Children’s Hospice South West further forward to provide wider and enduring care for the years to come. The Candidate: Demonstrable senior leadership experience with a track record of delivering impact and results in a complex organisation, preferably in the charitable sector Experience of strong organisational governance and working collaboratively with a Board Ability to demonstrate successfully developing and delivering strategy, and driving organisational change Commercial and entrepreneurial, with a track record of effective financial and resource management A track record of inspirational and visionary leadership with a collaborative and inclusive style A track record of successful stakeholder management and effective relationship building, with experience of engaging successfully with a wide range of external and internal stakeholders Highly skilled negotiator and influencer with the empathy and ability to adjust communications to different audiences Interest in and commitment to the aims and objectives of Children’s Hospice South West. For further information and details on how to apply, please visit For an informal and confidential discussion, please speak with our advisor at Berwick Partners Sandra Hamovic on 07979 017 447 or or Lisa Henry on 0121 654 5974 or Closing date for applications: 9am, Monday 7th October