Rainbows names Dee Sissons CEO as hospice eyes 25th year

Dee Sissons has been named Chief Executive Officer at Rainbows Hospice for Children and Young People and will be taking the charity into its 25th anniversary year.

Latterly she was Executive Director of Nursing for Marie Curie, the largest and most successful UK provider of end-of-life care. 

Dee has over 40 years’ experience of palliative care nursing and has a national reputation as a proven corporate leader in a healthcare setting.

Her appointment comes at a time when Rainbows is increasingly regarded as a leader in its field, not just within the East Midlands, but nationally as a specialist care centre of excellence.

Dee said: “I am incredibly honoured to be leading a charity with such an outstanding reputation for providing specialist care for children and young people with life-limiting conditions, supporting their families when they need it most.

“My aim is to build on the good work already being done by this amazing organisation, poised to celebrate its first 25 years – and to ensure it is ready for the next 25! People, their families and their loved ones will be at the heart of everything I do,” she said, adding that the Loughborough-based charity was planning a period of growth to extend its services.

“We are working on a five-year strategy which will allow us to reach more children and young people across the East Midlands. And that’s very exciting,” she added.

Rainbows currently supports more than 400 youngsters and their families across the region, embracing Leicestershire, Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Rutland, Lincolnshire and Northamptonshire.

Paul Stothard, Chair of Trustees, said: “We are delighted someone with Dee’s experience will be leading Rainbows as it approaches its 25th anniversary next year – and helping to forge a strategy to extend our services for youngsters with life-limiting conditions across the East Midlands.”

Interim CEO David Strudley stepped down earlier this month, but had been crucial in guiding Rainbows at a pivotal time in its development, Paul said. 

“We are incredibly grateful for the important groundwork David has done and wish him well for the future,” he added.