LAVINIA Jarrett has been appointed as Chief Executive of Demelza Hospice Care for Children following the departure of former Chief Executive, Ryan Campbell, in 2021, who took up the role of Chief Executive at the Treloar Trust in Hampshire.

Lavinia, who has been acting Chief Executive since the spring of last year, was confirmed in the post from 2 February 2022.

Demelza Hospice Care for Children provides specialist care and emotional support to over 600 children with serious or terminal conditions and their families across London, Kent and East Sussex.

David Highton, Chair of the board of trustees at Demelza, said:

“I have had the pleasure of meeting regularly with Lavinia as our acting Chief Executive for the last eight months and I wish her well as she takes the reins in the substantive role.

“Following a rigorous selection process with a strong shortlist of candidates, myself and the board are certain Lavinia is the person to lead the organisation forward.”

Lavinia joined Demelza in 1999 shortly after the Kent hospice opened. Throughout her 22-year career, Lavinia has been instrumental in developing a culture that strives for excellence and puts children and families at the centre of decision making.

Before joining Demelza, Lavinia worked in primary care, developing local outreach services for both proactive and reactive healthcare needs and commissioning services from NHS Trusts and providers that best meet the needs of local patients.

Lavinia said:

“I am absolutely delighted to accept the role of Chief Executive at Demelza. One of the best parts of my long history at Demelza is the dedicated people I have the pleasure of working alongside, who have made Demelza the place it is today. I have witnessed the very best of human nature from the families who have used our services over the years, the staff and volunteers who demonstrate such commitment and passion and the donors and supporters whose generosity has made all our services possible.

“I am looking forward to taking the organisation forward as we come out of the recent pandemic and focus on developing the vital services we offer to the children, young people and families who need our support.”

Find out more about Demelza at: www.demelza.org.uk, follow the charity on Facebook at www.facebook.com/demelzahospice or @demelzahospice on Twitter.