Palliative care charity Sue Ryder has appointed a senior NHS England director to be its next chief executive.

James Sanderson, who is national director of community health services, personalised care and palliative and end of life care at NHS England, will join the charity in August.

He takes over from Heidi Travis who is stepping down following 14 years with the charity.

"I am delighted to be joining the brilliant team at Sue Ryder, to help lead the organisation in furthering its goal to ensure that no one should face death or grief alone,” said Sanderson.

“Every single one of us will one day have to face the end of our lives and most probably bereavement, and it is this universal certainty that drives the organisation in delivering the best possible outcomes for people.

“I am looking forward to working with staff, volunteers and everyone involved with Sue Ryder to grow the organisation and its impact, find innovative ways to continue to deliver the vision, and above all build a society where everyone who is dying or grieving can access the support they need.”

Sanderson has been chair of the Global Social Prescribing Alliance for the last three years and has worked in senior NHS roles for the last eight years. He was previously chief executive of the National Academy for Social Prescribing.

Sue Ryder’s chair Rima Makarem added: “I am very excited to welcome James to Sue Ryder, and he brings a wealth of experience from across the NHS and the not-for-profit sector, including in palliative and end-of-life care.

“His experience means he will be held in high regard by our key audiences, including MPs and policy makers. His personal values align well with Sue Ryder's, and we are looking forward to working with him on delivering our vision and strategy.”

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