Heidi Hawkins has been appointed as the new CEO of Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.  Heidi, aged 48, will join the team at Bluebell Wood in March 2023. Heidi, who comes to Bluebell Wood from nearby adult hospice Beaumond House in Newark, has ten years’ experience as a charity CEO in the hospice sector, having previously held CEO roles at KEMP Hospice, Helen’s Trust and as interim CEO of Bluebell Wood. She brings a wealth of significant experience to the role as the hospice celebrates its 15th birthday in 2023. 

Heidi said “I’m really looking forward to returning to Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice as CEO.  I started my career in charity retail at the hospice, and my first post as an interim charity CEO over a decade ago was at Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice.

"It was Bluebell Wood that inspired my love of the charity sector, and the hospice has always held a special place in my heart. 

"The vital work that is done by the team there to help children and families with life-shortening and life-threatening conditions is truly remarkable and I’m overjoyed to be part of that care once again.” 

David Wilkin, Chair of Trustees, added: "The Board of Trustees are delighted with Heidi’s appointment and look forward to welcoming her back to Bluebell Wood.  After a difficult year in 2022, we are pleased to have re-started our clinical services and once again offer our specialist palliative care and support to children and families going through unimaginably tough times.  We’re sure that the hospice has a bright future ahead with Heidi at the helm."

Heidi takes over from Acting CEO, Nic Marriott, who has been a vital member of the Senior Leadership Team at the hospice for the last four years.  Nic stepped into the Acting CEO role during the temporary suspension of clinical services, and was responsible for overseeing the successful resumption of these services in December 2022.   

David said: "We’d like to thank Nic for her years of dedication to the hospice, and for her determination, effort and transformational leadership, all of which made sure we can once again offer our specialist paediatric palliative care for children and families. The board of trustees wishes Nic well with her plans to see the world and we wish her all the best for the future". 

Nic Marriott added: "I’ve genuinely loved working at Bluebell Wood.  It’s not just the cause, and the fabulous work to support children, young people and their families, it’s also the people who are drawn to work and volunteer for the hospice.  I’ve met some truly inspirational people at Bluebell Wood and will always be thankful for my time working alongside them and incredibly proud of all we’ve achieved together. I wish Heidi all the best for the future and know she will take the hospice from strength to strength."