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Thames Hospice today announced that Debbie Raven has stepped down as Chief Executive Officer following a period of significant growth at the charity. Debbie will be replaced by Catherine McLaughlin, who will take on the role of Interim CEO, whilst the Board of Trustees begin the process to identify and select the best candidate to lead the charity on the next phase of its journey.
Debbie Raven joined the Hospice in 2013 and, together with the Board of Trustees, has successfully led the Hospice through unprecedented change and immense challenges. She leaves a legacy to be proud of including the delivery of a 28-bed, state-of-the-art facility, enabling the Hospice and its staff to provide vital palliative and end-of-life care and support to thousands more local people now and for generations to come.
The Board would like to take this opportunity to thank Debbie for her dedication and commitment to Thames Hospice and wishes her every success for her future roles.
Catherine McLaughlin brings a wealth of management experience and clinical expertise to the role, as well as deep knowledge of Thames Hospice’s strategy and direction, having served on the Board of Trustees for over two years.
Thames Hospice today also announces the appointment of its new Chair of Trustees, Chris Aitken. Chris has served as a Trustee at Thames Hospice since 2012, leading the Income Generation & Marketing Committee and also as Vice Chair of Trustees for the last four years.
Prior to joining Thames Hospice’s Board, Chris ran his own supply chain and change management consultancy business. He will lead a 10-strong Board of Trustees, who are all volunteers and carefully selected for their breadth of experience in the medical, commercial and charity sectors.
Chris takes over from outgoing Chair Jonathan Jones, who joined the Thames Hospice Board of Trustees in 2011, following a career as a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Heatherwood & Wexham Park NHS Hospitals FT for 22 years, and as Medical Director for 5 years. In 2018 Jonathan took on the role of Chair of Trustees at a critical time in the charity’s history, playing a hugely influential role in the rapid development and expansion of Thames Hospice.
Chris Aitken said: “On behalf of everyone at Thames Hospice, I would like to express our deep gratitude to Jonathan Jones and Debbie Raven for their commitment to Thames Hospice.
“It’s an enormous privilege to be taking on the role of Chair of Trustees of a much-loved and respected organisation at this time. I look forward to working with Catherine and my fellow trustees continuing to deliver on our vision, mission and values and ensuring the Hospice is there for every local family who needs vital hospice care now and for future generations.
Under continuing strong leadership, the charity looks forward to implementing its current successful strategy, delivering the best hospice care to the community it has proudly served for more than 35 years.