Today we announce that our Chief Executive, David Robinson, will be retiring from the charity at the end of December, after almost five years of service.
Under David’s leadership, Derian House Children’s Hospice has made huge strides, improving palliative and end of life care for children and young people across Lancashire, South Cumbria and Greater Manchester.
During his five years at the helm, the charity has achieved an Outstanding rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) – the highest rating possible – and built strong staff culture and values.
David led a £1.7million transformation of the hospice building and its gardens and introduced a new Derian on Holiday service so families could enjoy a free holiday every year to make precious memories.
In 2019 Derian House won Charity of the Year in the national Just Giving Awards, and David travelled to Westminster alongside Lynn Grayson, Director of Clinical Services, to lobby MPs for fairer funding for children’s hospices.
David is now looking forward to taking some well-deserved time to pursue his passion for travel before considering non-executive opportunities to use his wide range of leadership skills in the future.
David, 57, said: “It has been an absolute privilege to lead Derian House and taking Derian from CQC ‘Requires Improvement’ to ‘Outstanding’ in just two years has, and always will be, our biggest achievement. It could only have been possible with the teamwork of our amazing staff and volunteers.
“I am incredibly proud of the strides we have made in ensuring Derian is embedded in the local health economy and recognised as a key provider in children’s and young people’s palliative and end of life care across the region and by NHS England nationally.
“Working alongside the staff and volunteers at Derian House has been an absolute honour and I will always look back on my time at the charity fondly.”
Over the coming months, David will work alongside colleagues and the hospice’s Board of Trustees to help recruit a new CEO.
Karen Swindley, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Derian House Children’s Hospice, thanked David for his dedication, passion and enthusiasm.
She said: “I would like to put on record my sincere thanks and appreciation to David for his hard work and commitment to Derian House over the last five years.
“During his tenure we have moved mountains, improving palliative and end of life care for children and young people from across our region significantly.
“David’s dedication and drive has made a real difference to local families at their very darkest times, ensuring they receive outstanding care when coping with the death of a child.
“On behalf of all of Derian’s staff, volunteers and trustees I would like to wish David all the best for his future endeavours – he will be truly missed.
“The Board is now committed to recruiting an individual who will continue to deliver our ambitious strategy to be the leading light in children’s hospice care.”
