Chair, Hospice in the Weald

Our Mission: Hospice in the Weald strives to provide care, advice, and support for everyone in our community living with terminal or life limiting illness, together with their loved ones. We empower people to celebrate life and make the most of the precious time they have for living.

Dear Candidate
Thank you for your interest in the Chair role at Hospice in the Weald.
We are an organisation that matters.
For many people across Kent and Sussex, the Hospice is there at the point when they need it most. Not just for patients, but for families and those important to them. The quality of care is exceptional and the reputation the organisation holds locally is well deserved.
At the same time, this is not a static organisation. We are evolving.
Demand for our services continues to grow, expectations are changing and there is a need to think carefully about how services are delivered, how the estate is used and how the organisation sustains itself over the long term. As our next Chair, you will play an important role in helping to guide that thinking.
The Board is experienced, engaged and works well together. Our current Chair, who will hand over responsibility later this year, has provided strong leadership and the task now is to build on that, not to reinvent it. The new Chair will need the confidence and credibility to work with the Board as an equal, to draw out different perspectives and to support good decision making.
The relationship with the Chief Executive is also central. This is about working in partnership, providing support and challenge in equal measure and helping to create the conditions in which the senior leadership team and organisation can continue to develop.
There is also an important external dimension. The Hospice depends on the support of its community and the Chair plays a key role in representing the organisation, building relationships and helping to sustain that support.
We are therefore looking for someone who brings sound judgement, a collaborative style and the ability to operate comfortably at Board level. Just as importantly, we are looking for someone who connects with the purpose of the Hospice and is motivated by the opportunity to contribute.
If this appeals to you, we would welcome your interest in exploring the role further. For an informal and confidential conversation please contact Frank McKenna, Managing Director and David Heaton, Principal, at Alumni Global, who are supporting the Board on this critical appointment process.
Board of Trustees
Hospice in the Weald
Hospice in the Weald provides care completely free of charge to patients with a terminal illness, and those important to them, in West Kent and northern East Sussex. This means we are there 24 hours a day to help, support and care for patients with an illness where a cure is no longer possible, and for patients who will at some stage die from their illness, whenever that may be (you may hear this referred to as “palliative care”).
People are often confused by what a Hospice actually does. We’re there 24/7 for anyone who needs us, caring for our patients, as well as those important to them, providing physical, medical and emotional support through our services. Anyone can also access our Help Hub, full of information, advice and guidance, including direct contact with our team.
It’s not just at the end of life that Hospice in the Weald can help. We want to ensure that anyone affected by a terminal illness; not just patients, but also those important to them, can access the support they need when they need it. Whether this means a family member or friend, our Services will provide support to anyone important to a patient. We provide care which is completely tailored to each person as an individual, to help our patients make decisions that are right for them and their loved ones.
Click here to view the Job Description
All applications must include:
- A full curriculum vitae/resume
- Quoting the relevant role reference number: A041786
- A covering letter highlighting the aspects of the job description and our organisation that particularly attract you to the post (Microsoft Word document)
- Contact details for three referees, these will not be contacted without your permission. (References should validate a minimum period of six years employment)
- A completed Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form (which you will be redirected to once you have submitted your application) *
Right to work checks
If you are successfully shortlisted, our partner, Yoti, will contact you to complete an online right to work check. This is a quick and secure process, ensuring that all necessary legal requirements are met before proceeding further in the recruitment process.
Monitoring
One of Alumni Global’s and Hospice in the Weald’s objectives is to ensure that its workforce is reflective of the local community and therefore we actively encourage applications from under-represented groups. So that we can successfully achieve these aims, while it is not mandatory we would encourage every applicant to complete the “Equal Opportunities Monitoring form” so that we can measure the effectiveness of our efforts. The Recruiting Manager does not have access to the Monitoring Information Sections of the application form at any stage of the process and the information provided will be kept entirely confidential.
For a confidential discussion on this role please contact:
Frank McKenna, Global Managing Director or David Heaton, Principal Researcher whose details can be found at the bottom of this microsite.
Candidate adjustment
If you require any reasonable adjustments to be made as part of the recruitment process please can you advise us so that we can ensure this is accommodated.
Closing date: 8th May 2026
Stakeholder Sessions: TBC
Final Interviews: w/c 8th June 2026 - TBC
Please ensure you have made a note of the final interview date(s). We recommend that you bookmark this microsite, as any potential updates regarding the role will be posted online.