I joined Highland Hospice in 2015 after other roles in the public sector, in business and in audit. Despite working with a variety of audit clients while at EY – from small, local companies to subsidiaries of large multinationals – and gaining a breadth of experience, I was keen to take on a new challenge and experience a different side of accounting.
I had previous personal experience with Highland Hospice and knew it was a well-regarded organisation. But I did not fully appreciate the range of services it offered or the number of volunteers that support it. I had taken voluntary roles in other charities and was aware that it is a sector that delivers real value to communities, so I felt it would be a role where I could make a difference.
There is an energy and enthusiasm for the work we do and a shared sense of direction
Funding is a particular challenge for the hospice sector. A quarter of our income comes from the NHS, with the rest coming from other sources – mainly donations, fundraising and retail. However, the recent increases in NHS salaries and national insurance mean we will need to raise another £500,000 just to deliver our existing services. We are addressing this by seeking opportunities to grow and diversify our income streams, to ensure we are here in the long term.
Growing the delivery of our services across the whole of the Highlands – an area the size of Belgium – is a challenge. We are working with groups and partners in local communities to support people and their families at the end of life. It’s a fantastic organisation to work for, with great people, teams and leadership. There is an energy and enthusiasm for the work we do and a shared sense of direction.
If I had law-making powers, I would remove the NHS from party politics
My favourite quote is the definition of insanity, often misattributed to Einstein: ‘Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.’ I am a big advocate for adapting and changing in order to do things better.
If I had law-making powers, I would remove the NHS from party politics. In the same way as the Bank of England, there should be cross-party responsibility for decision-making. Changes to health and social care require a fundamental and long-term strategy to ensure that the NHS is fit for purpose. Partnering with third-sector organisations such as Highland Hospice will be key to ensuring that healthcare adapts to the changing and growing needs of our population.
In my spare time I am a keen runner and skier; I have completed the Loch Ness Marathon in under four hours. I also love travelling with my husband and three daughters. And I recently took up rowing after competing in a charity regatta organised by Inverness Rowing Club to raise funds for Highland Hospice.
