Hospice on the hunt for a new CEO

Tuesday 09 February 2021

One of Jersey’s largest charities is on the hunt for a new CEO after its former leader departed at the end of last year.

Jersey Hospice Care confirmed to Express yesterday that Chief Executive Emelita Robbins left in December after four years at the helm of the end-of-life care organisation.

Former Deputy CEO and Director of Palliative Care Services, Gail Caddell, is currently Acting Chief Executive. 

A spokesperson for the charity said that the recruitment process for a new permanent CEO was now underway, and “will follow a proper procedure of advertisement, shortlisting and interview.”

Pictured: Hospice said the recruitment process for a new Chief Executive is underway.

The other members of the current management team are: Director of Operations and Business Development Yannick Fillieul, Director of Income Generation Katrina Hancock, Acting Director of Palliative Care Services Hilary Hopkins, Head of People Debbie Patrick, and Director of Finance Amy Taylor.

Ms Robbins, previously a lawyer, took on the leading role at the charity in 2016, after three years on the charity’s Council of Trustees.

The loss of Ms Robbins comes at the end of a challenging year for the organisation, which requires £700 per day per person on its Inpatient Unit. 

When the pandemic hit, the charity had to cancel all of its upcoming events and fundraisers, as well as shutting its charity shops, which bring in around £20,000 a week to provide essential clinical and community services in the island.

Pictured: The charity's key fundraisers had to be cancelled due to covid-19.

Describing the situation to Express as “bleak” in March, Ms Robbins added: “We’re in a very difficult position. Our financial resources are being challenged by the circumstances and we hope to continue providing our services. So, we ask everybody to continue supporting Hospice albeit that the usual means available to us to raise funds are not there.”