A new leader for our next chapter
27 May 2026 | View all news
We are pleased to announce that David Fletcher has been appointed as our new Chief Executive.
David steps into the role following the departure of Dr Richard Soulsby after 27 years of leadership.
David has been our Director of Care since 2022 and has already played a major role in developing and strengthening our services.
A strong vision for the future
Speaking about his appointment, David said: “My priority is to honour what makes Katharine House Hospice so special: the care, compassion and trust at the heart of the charity.
“We have a proud 37-year history, built by our community, staff and volunteers, and I want to protect and strengthen that as we look to the future.”
David said his priorities include supporting the redevelopment of our inpatient unit, strengthening partnerships across health and care services and continuing to build strong relationships within our communities.
“We need to keep evolving so we can meet the needs of more people, earlier in their illness, and in the places that matter most to them,” he added.
Experience across care and leadership
Before joining us, David held senior leadership roles across healthcare, consultancy and education. He also supported the creation of the London Nightingale Hospital during the COVID-19 pandemic as chief of staff.
His career began on the frontline as a paramedic, working on ambulances, rapid response cars and air ambulance services.
Peter Catchpole, Chair of Trustees, said: “David brings a wealth of clinical, operational and strategic leadership experience, alongside a deep understanding of our hospice and the communities we serve.
“He’s already made a significant impact since joining Katharine House Hospice, and the Board is confident he will lead the charity with compassion, ambition and integrity as we move into our next chapter.”
Expanding our care
David has helped lead a number of important developments across our hospice and local health services.
Under his leadership, our care teams became national finalists at the prestigious Nursing Times Awards. He has also helped strengthen collaborative working with neighbouring hospices and supported the launch of a 24/7 palliative care advice line across Staffordshire to help reduce emergency hospital admissions and pressure on the NHS.
Today, we support more patients and families than ever before. More people are also accessing our care earlier in their illness, helping improve quality of life and support for loved ones.
David said: “My ambition is simple: to make sure everyone in our region who would benefit from palliative care can access it.
“Nationally, demand for palliative care is expected to rise sharply over the coming years, so hospice care has never been more important.”
Inspired by personal experience
David’s interest in becoming a clinician was shaped by his experience as a young carer for his dad, who died from a brain tumour when David was a teenager.
“I spent a lot of time alongside health and social care professionals who cared for my dad and supported our family,” he said.
“That experience had a profound impact on me and made me want to give something back to the community that had been there for us.
“I began my career as a paramedic, working directly with patients and families in emergency situations. Moving into leadership and improvement has allowed me to support better care on a wider scale by developing people, strengthening services and helping organisations make the greatest possible difference.”
Looking ahead
Despite the challenges facing hospices nationally, David said he feels optimistic about the future.
“We’re in a strong position in many ways. We have an exceptional team, loyal volunteers, deep community support and a reputation for outstanding care,” he said.
Last year, we supported around 2,500 local people and families through care in people’s homes, outpatient and wellbeing services, inpatient care and bereavement support.
