Hospice Chief Executive Claire Cardy Steps Down...

Claire Cardy has decided to leave her position as Chief Executive of Kent charity ellenor – a leading provider of specialist hospice care for all ages. Claire joined the senior management team at ellenor firstly as Director of Patient Care and was later appointed Chief Executive. She will remain in post until 31 March 2019 and will then be embarking on a period of travel and new challenges.

Over the past five years as Chief Executive, Claire has led a successful rebrand, guided the charity to receive an ‘Outstanding’ Care Quality Commission (CQC) rating and to be awarded Kent Charity of the Year. Under her leadership ellenor was featured in a ground breaking TV series ‘The Hospice’, which showcased the amazing palliative care and support provided by a passionate and professional team.

Claire says: “After a busy five years as Chief Executive of this remarkable charity, I feel that now is the right time to move on and allow others the opportunity to lead ellenor in the next stage of its development, as we enter the second year of our new five year strategic plan.

I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved here and feel privileged to have worked and met so many remarkable people, who are motivated to make a positive difference to the lives of local families. I will remain a loyal advocate of the hugely important work that ellenor does, caring for patients of all ages and their families at such an important time.”

Chair of Trustees Roger Wedderburn-Day said, “I am extremely grateful to Claire for her long period of service, both as Director of Patient Care and subsequently as Chief Executive for over 11 years;ellenor has grown and developed significantly under Claire’s stewardship. Through effective governance Claire has established a strong and passionate team, all working to achieve ellenor’s vision of providing the very best quality personalised care and support for local families facing terminal illness. On behalf of everyone at ellenor, I would like to thank Claire for her excellent service. We will all miss her.”

There are no immediate plans to appoint a successor. From 1^st April, the ellenor executive team with the full support of the Board of Trustees, will manage the charity while future plans are reviewed.