Celebrating 27 years as Richard Soulsby steps down as Chief Executive
27 February 2026 | View all news
After almost three decades leading our charity, Richard will leave Katharine House Hospice on 8 May to begin a new chapter at the Hospice of the Good Shepherd in Chester.
Richard joined us in 1999 as General Manager, planning to stay for three years. He stayed for nearly three decades.
Reflecting on his early days, he said: “When I started there was only one service offering support for up to six patients a day… we had 14 staff employed at the hospice in care, housekeeping, retail, fundraising and administration.”
Today, we support people from the moment of diagnosis. We provide care 24 hours a day, seven days a week, employ more than 200 staff and are supported by around 250 volunteers.
We’ve built the Inpatient Unit, created a lymphoedema service, developed Hospice at Home, brought in the Palliative Care Nursing Service, repurposed the day unit to provide outpatient, therapy and wellbeing services, strengthened our retail and fundraising operations, and cared for tens of thousands of families across our community.
Throughout it all, Richard has kept patients and their families at the heart of every decision.
He said: “It has not been an easy decision. I have enjoyed my time here, and I know I will miss so many people at this hospice as it has been a massive part of my life.”
Richard has always spoken passionately about the people who make our work possible:
“Each person’s role at our charity – now and when we first started over 35 years ago – has been instrumental in making us what we are.”
Strong today, confident for tomorrow
Richard leaves us in a strong position. We have healthy reserves and ambitious plans to renovate the Inpatient Unit and strengthen our support in peoples’ own homes. We have a strong and active Board of Trustees and a very experienced leadership team to see our charity through this transition period.
We are proud of what we have built together – a hospice rooted in community, powered by generous supporters and volunteers, and driven by dedicated staff who deliver outstanding care every day.
Peter Catchpole, our Chair of Trustees said: “Richard has led the hospice with dedication for the past 27 years, and we will be very sad to see him go.
“During that time, his outstanding leadership has helped build the hospice into the respected community charity we all cherish.
“He leaves us in a strong position, with plans to further develop our care services and grow our charitable income. I wish Richard every success in his new role and thank him for all he has done for Katharine House Hospice.”
A smooth transition
Our Board of Trustees will now recruit a new Chief Executive.
During this time, David Fletcher, our Director of Care, will serve as Interim Chief Executive, supported by our Executive Team.
David said: “Richard has given nearly three decades of values-led leadership to this hospice. His impact reaches far beyond the services we provide today.
“He has helped build Katharine House into the specialist, community-rooted charity it is today, powered by brilliant staff, extraordinary volunteers and generous supporters. Throughout it all, he has never lost sight of what matters most: our patients and families.
“I’m personally grateful for his trust and guidance, and I know many colleagues and supporters feel the same.
“As I step up as Interim Chief Executive, supported by our Executive Team and Trustees, we will honour Richard’s legacy. We will maintain stability, look after our people, and continue to deliver compassionate care every day while we recruit our next Chief Executive.”
Thank you, Richard
Richard has shaped our charity for almost three decades. He has strengthened our foundations, expanded our services, and helped secure our future.
We will miss him. We also feel proud that he will continue to lead care at another hospice.
On behalf of our staff, volunteers, trustees, and supporters – thank you, Richard. We wish you every success in this next chapter.
