CEO named inspiring communicator at awards

A nurse who has worked her way up the ranks to become the first woman to take the helm of an adults and children’s hospice has won a coveted award for her work in the charity sector.

Liz Searle, Chief Executive Officer of Keech Hospice Care in Luton, Bedfordshire, was one of the winners at last night’s Charity Comms Inspiring Communicator Awards in London.

Liz said she is delighted the work of Keech Hospice Care – which supports adults in Luton and Bedfordshire, and children in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire and Milton Keynes – has been recognised.

“I am thrilled to receive this award and proud to be heading up Keech Hospice Care, which is a leader in its field of palliative and end of life care – despite us only receiving 30 per cent of our funding from government. The opportunity to take a great organisation onwards and upwards is fantastic,” said Liz.

“When I became Keech Hospice Care’s first female CEO in 2016, I had two main aims. For my staff and volunteers to know they’re valued and their voice matters, and to ensure we listen and meet the needs of patients and families. I’m proud we’re achieving both.”

Liz is recognised for her work locally and nationally in raising the profile of the needs of end of life and terminally ill patients and their families, and for heading-up a hospice which is respected for its knowledge and expertise which it shares to upskill and support others. Liz is also the representative for the East of England on the HospiceUK Advisory Council.

Liz is praised for leading Keech Hospice Care into The Sunday Times 100 Best Not-For-Profit Organisations to Work for 2017 – the first time the charity has made the list.

As a strong and approachable leader, Liz is also recognised for the strong partnership she has formed with the University of Bedfordshire to carry out ground-breaking research into the needs of families with life-limited children and shape the future of palliative care.

“At Keech Hospice Care, we believe excellent end of life care is an essential part of our society and we are proud to be making the difference when it matters the most.” said Liz.

“As a charity, we work hard to raise around £5.7 million which we need every year to provide excellent end-of-life care to adults, children and their families at the hospice, in schools, hospitals and people’s own homes – wherever our care is needed the most.”

Liz first joined Keech Hospice Care as its Clinical Director in 2012 after a career dedicated to palliative-care and the charity sector as a nurse, educator and director. Her appointment to the position of CEO came in the same year the hospice celebrated the 25th anniversary of its adult care and was visited by TRHs The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

The Charity Comms Inspiring Communicator Awards celebrate best practice in the UK charity sector.

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