We are delighted to announce the appointment of Helen Glenister as the new chief executive officer at Isabel Hospice.
Helen originally trained as a nurse and has held many positions in the NHS and Department of Health, before joining Isabel as a Trustee in 2016.
Helen said: “Thank you for your kind welcome in my new role. Isabel Hospice is my local hospice as I live in Bishop’s Stortford and have been so impressed with the care and support the hospice has provided to friends and their families often at difficult times.”
Having held a number of Executive posts working a national level, Helen has been involved in Non-Executive roles in the local area, and assists organisations to develop their strategy, organisation and improve performance through consultancy.
Helen is a Non-Executive Director of Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in Harlow, Chair of Accelerate CIC, a health Social Enterprise based in North East Lindon which has recently relocated to St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney.
We asked Helen a few questions about herself to help get to know her…
1) What have you been doing, prior to joining Isabel Hospice?
I trained as a nurse, and have held many positions in the NHS, Department of Health, and had a short spell in the private sector. My passion has always been to deliver the best possible quality care for patients.
Having held a number of Executive posts working a national level, I decided to get involved in Non-Executive roles in the locality where I live, and assist organisations to develop their strategy, organisation and improve performance through consultancy. I am Non-Executive Director of Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in Harlow, Chair of Accelerate CIC, a health Social Enterprise based in North East Lindon which has recently relocated to St Joseph’s Hospice in Hackney.
I volunteered as a Trustee and became Vice Chair of Isabel Hospice initially in 2016, a role I stepped down from when I was appointed as CEO at Isabel.
2) Why Isabel Hospice?
Isabel Hospice is my local hospice as I live in Bishop’s Stortford and have been so impressed with the care and support the hospice has provided to friends and their families often at difficult times.
The hospice services, whether in the community, in people’s homes or the In-Patient Unit has given confidence to people and their families and sometimes has made the impossible, possible. The values of the hospice of caring, respect, being responsive, working together and encouraging people to be dynamic resonate well with my own values.
3) What do you feel you bring to the role of CEO?
I have a wide experience of the health and care sector, having spent my career working in or with the sector. I enjoy operating at a strategic level, engaging stakeholders and partners to exploit potential opportunities. I also enjoy working in teams to find new ways of working to improve effectiveness and efficiency so that limited resources can go further.
4) What did you find most satisfying about your Trustee role?
I have very much enjoyed meeting the most amazing people at Isabel Hospice; both staff and volunteers and been so touched by their commitment to the charity.
Now for the fun ones…
5) What do you do in your spare time?
Play the viola in local orchestras; try to keep fit, I set myself a challenge each year which have included in the past a 10k run and taking part in the Hospice’s On Your Bike fundraiser. Also love going to the theatre and travel.
6) Sweet or savoury?
I am afraid it is sweet; if there is a choice between a savoury starter and a sweet, I will go for the sweet, and then afterwards will work harder at running or the exercise I am doing!
