St Giles Hospice Board Announcement – CEO Departure

The Board of Trustees at St Giles Hospice announce that, after two years as Chief Executive Officer, it was agreed that it is the right time for Andrew Harkness to move on and we announce that Andrew has left St Giles with immediate effect.

With a financial crisis looming over the hospice sector, St Giles Hospice, like all hospices nationally, is facing a number of challenges. As well as a real terms reduction in income received from the NHS, the hospice’s ability to raise voluntary income in the current financial climate is also impacted as supporters struggle to cope with the cost-of-living crisis.

In 2022, as St Giles approached its 40th anniversary year, a new strategic plan was developed with the aim to build resilience and continue to provide specialist palliative and end of life care in a financially sustainable way.

At this current time, it is critical that St Giles has the correct leadership in place to drive the hospice forwards for a sustainable future and to ensure the hospice can be here for another 40 years, and beyond.

To ensure a smooth transition until a substantive CEO is appointed, Elinor Eustace, our Deputy CEO, has taken on the responsibilities of CEO on an interim basis.

Robin Vickers, Chair of Trustees, said: “Elinor has extensive experience as a senior leader in the hospice and wider charity and healthcare sectors. She has been with St Giles for nearly seven years and is currently holding the role of Deputy CEO with responsibility for the operational running of the hospice. With Elinor’s experience at St Giles, we as a Board of Trustees alongside the Executive Leadership Team (ELT) have full confidence in her to lead St Giles through our Transformation Programme”.

Everyone at St Giles Hospice thanks Andrew for his leadership and wishes him all the best for the future.