This week, the team at Willow Burn has welcomed a new Director to the hospice to head up the charity and develop its strategy for the future.
David Barker MBE joins Willow Burn having previously held senior leadership roles at Springboard, Disability North, Percy Hedley Foundation and most recently, United Response. He is currently the Vice Chair of Voluntary Organisation Network North East (VONNE) and a Trustee of Difference, a north east disability rights charity. In 2000 David was awarded an MBE for services to the employment of disabled people.
David brings with him a wide range of experience in service strategy and delivery and will lead the hospice team of 44 staff and 76 volunteers.
David said “I am very excited about joining such an impressive charity. The opportunity to support the amazing trustees, staff and volunteers of this great organisation and to enable them to treasure lives through the provision of high-quality care is both a privilege and an honour.
I’m joining Willow Burn at an important time in its history and look forward to developing and delivering a new strategic plan for the future”.
Paul Jackson, Chairman of the charity’s board said: “On behalf of the Board of Trustees, staff and volunteers I would like to welcome David to Willow Burn. David brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise from his many years as a senior leader in many our of region’s charities and this will be a great benefit to the hospice and our team. I look forward to seeing the hospice strategy and services develop under David’s leadership.”
