A CHARITY that provides end of life care to people in their homes in North Yorkshire has appointed a new chief executive.

Karen Wilkinson-Bell is the new head of Northallerton-based Herriot Hospice Homecare, following the retirement of Liz Pollard who had 11 years in the role.

She previously headed up the North-East for the Prince of Wales’ charity Business in the Community and has also held senior roles in Relate and Diabetes UK, as well as in the private sector and the NHS.

“I am delighted to have joined Herriot Hospice Homecare ,” she said.

“As an organisation which is now almost wholly self-funding, one of my main responsibilities will be to further raise the profile of the charity, locally, regionally and even nationally, and to build relationships with our key stakeholders and opinion formers.”

Charity chairman, Peter Kershaw, said: “Providing end of life care to people in local communities here in rural North Yorkshire has never been more important, and with an ageing population, the need for what we do is only set to increase.

“We believe that Karen’s skills and experience are exactly what we need to help us navigate the challenges ahead, and at the same time, to make the most of new opportunities.”