Bluebell Wood Children’s Hospice’s new Head of IT is used to working with inspirational people…

In his previous role he worked for Julie Kenny CBE, the Rotherham businesswoman awarded a Damehood in this year’s Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Rob Swift was IT manager at Pyronix in Hellaby, Rotherham, the multi-award-winning global alarms manufacturer Julie founded in 1986.

Swapping from the manufacturing industry to the charity sector has fulfilled a life goal for Rob, 43.

“Coming to an organisation which fulfils such a vital role is a dream career move,” said Rob, a father of two who lives in Dinnington.

“It enables me to use my 20 plus years of IT skills to help a charity achieve its goals and continue to grow so we can help more children and families. 

 “Julie Kenny was an inspirational woman to work for,” he said of the woman honoured for her role in rescuing Grade I listed Rotherham stately home Wentworth Woodhouse from decline.

“She was always looking for the next challenge and Pyronix, which was sold in 2016, was continually bringing in new ways of working. I learned a great deal during my time at Pyronix and am excited to be bringing my knowledge and skills to Bluebell Wood.

I will be looking to integrate IT into the heart of the organisation to enable the inspirational medical and care staff to reach and help more children and families.”

The new role at the North Anston hospice has been created to enable the charity to strengthen its communications and systems strategy and enable it to develop new methods of working.

Said Bluebell Wood’s CEO Simon Hills: “We are delighted to have someone of Rob’s calibre as our new Head of IT. He will enable the hospice to grow ever stronger and support more families who need us from across South Yorkshire, North Derbyshire, North Nottinghamshire and parts of North Lincolnshire.”

Bluebell Wood’s second new recruit is Communications Officer Robert Langley, 37. He joins the team from the office of Batley and Spen MP Tracy Brabin, who took over from murdered MP Jo Cox in 2016. 

Rob, a married father of one, was previously a reporter for the Retford Times and Lincolnshire Echo.

“I’m incredibly excited to join an organisation which does such amazing, life-changing work,” said Robert, who lives in Sheffield.

 “Many people care passionately about Bluebell Wood and it’s going to be a privilege to share some of their incredible stories.”