Mary Edwards - Saint Francis Hospice welcomes new Chair of Trustees

Mary, who has 40 years of experience in the NHS, has joined Saint Francis Hospice as the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to Paul Gwinn for being such a fantastic acting chair as he hands over the baton to Mary." Grazina Berry, CEO of Saint Francis Hospice said.

“We are delighted to welcome Mary to the hospice team. She joins us at an exciting time.

“We recently celebrated 40th year of delivering compassionate palliative and end-of-life care to local people and Mary’s wealth of experience in the NHS and healthcare sector will be invaluable as we look to secure the hospice’s future.”

Mary trained and worked as a nurse in London, before moving into research management and clinical audit roles at regional and national level in the NHS.

She spent 21 years in Hampshire, first as Director of Nursing, then Chief Executive of Hampshire Hospitals, retiring from that role after 13 years. 

She has been Chair of a specialist medical charity since 2018 and Chair of the University of Winchester since 2021.

“I spent 40 years in the NHS before retirement, starting as a nurse and finishing as a hospital Chief Executive,” said Mary. 

“Hospice care was a thread throughout that career, firstly as a postgraduate student undertaking a study into staff stress in hospices, then more latterly working closely with a hospice that was based on my hospital site.

“I am hugely excited by this opportunity to work alongside Board colleagues, the senior leadership team, and all of the wonderful staff who provide care and support for individuals looked after by our services.”