St Michael’s Hospice has announced the appointment of its new Chair of Trustees, Susan Munroe, who will replace the outgoing Chair Irene Dibben when she stands down later this year. 

The Chair, and the Board, hold the Chief Executive to account for the Hospice’s purpose, values and strategic priorities. The Chair will also provide collaborative leadership of the board, ensuring each trustee fulfils their duties and responsibilities for the effective governance of the Hospice. 

Dr Karen Clarke, Chief Executive said: “The selection of a new Chair is a significant and important decision for a charity and earlier this year we began our search for a new Chair given that Irene Dibben will be reaching the end of her maximum nine-year term. I am now delighted Susan Munroe has been appointed as a trustee and future Chair of the Hospice.”

Susan trained as a nurse and worked for a number of years in elderly medicine. She ran a Marie Curie hospice and subsequently worked for Marie Curie across Scotland before undertaking a national UK role as Director of Nursing and Patient Services.  She has held several senior leadership roles in a number of charities and has extensive experience in palliative care, the charity sector and working at a national level.

Dr Clarke added: “I would like to express my deep gratitude to Irene for her commitment and dedication to St Michael’s Hospice over the past nine years. Irene has been an exceptional Chair and a huge support to me personally, to the leadership team and the organisation.”

Susan Munroe says: “I am thrilled to have been appointed as Chair of this amazing facility St Michael’s Hospice. I am delighted to have the opportunity to work with the amazing team of staff and volunteers that provide such an important and valued service. I am really looking forward to working with Karen Clarke, whom I have enormous respect for and her team. I want to pay tribute to the excellent work of my predecessor, who has done a remarkable job of steering the organisation through unchartered waters and is handing it over in very good shape”.

Ms Dibben said: “I’ve really enjoyed meeting such a wide variety of people; patients, supporters, organisations and seeing the warmth and love we inspire. The Hospice is embedded within the Hastings and Rother community and it has been a privilege to be its Chair. I am delighted Susan will be taking over as the new Chair and I’m sure her tremendous skills and experience will be invaluable to the organisation going forward.”

Susan will join the Board at its October meeting.