John Taylor Hospice and Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice have announced the appointment of a joint Interim Chief Executive Officer.
The move follows the appointment earlier this year of Harry Turner as Joint Chairman.
With effect from 11 May Penny Venables, currently CEO of John Taylor, will assume responsibility for both hospices.
Tina Swani, the current CEO of Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice, will leave the organisation on that date.
The move will further cement the relationship between the two hospices as they, in the short term, respond to the challenges to COVID-19 and, in the longer term, develop a partnership to deliver a consistent high quality end of life care to the population of Birmingham.
Joint Chair Harry Turner said: “I would like to thank Tina for her work in the hospice and across the city and wish her well for the future. She has made an outstanding contribution to end of life care in Birmingham. We will build on her achievements.
“The appointment of Penny Venables as Chief Executive of both hospices marks an exciting turning point for both organisations. We will be able to coordinate end of life care across the city and in doing so improve care for all the patients who come through our doors. I am looking forward to continuing to work with Penny. She has done a tremendous job in the four years she has been at John Taylor Hospice.”
Tina Swani said: “I have had an incredible 18 years at Birmingham St Mary’s Hospice. I have enjoyed influencing the national approach to end of life care through my role on the Hospice UK board and working with partners in the city to develop an end of life strategy for Birmingham. I wish Penny much success in her new role.”
Commenting on her appointment Penny Venables said: “I am delighted to accept this new challenge. Both hospices have a great legacy of providing outstanding care. I am looking forward to working with both teams to further improve end of life care in Birmingham.”
