The former CEO of Jewish Care has been selected as chair of the board of trustees at a leading hospice.

Simon Morris MBE, who led Jewish Care for almost 15 years until 2018, will head up the board at North London Hospice in Finchley.

He is replacing Lis Burgess Jones, who is stepping down from her role as chair, which she has held since May 2018.

Morris said: “I am humbled to be elected as chair of North London Hospice. I have large shoes to fill in following Lis who, for the last six years, has led the hospice through some of its most challenging times.

“She leaves me with an excellent CEO in Declan [Carroll] and a very strong executive team and an excellent board of trustees. I look forward to working with them all as we continue to develop and build on the wonderful work that we do.”

Simon Morris joined North London Hospice’s board of trustees in 2011 and is currently chair of the hospice’s fundraising committee and a member of the finance and external audit committee. In June 2018, he took on the role of deputy chair of trustees.

As well as his previous role at Jewish Care, Simon is currently a non-executive director for two acute hospital NHS trusts in north-west London and continues to be an advisor to several health and social care organisations, both at local and national level.

Declan Carroll, chief executive of North London Hospice, said: “I am delighted that Simon has been appointed chair of the board of trustees. The board has worked alongside Simon for several years now and all share his passion for providing the best care to those in our community.

“Our previous chair Lis Burgess Jones helped us to navigate some choppy waters as we emerged from the pandemic, and I am extremely grateful to her for all her support. I look forward to building on Lis’ work with Simon and the team as we continue to realise our vision of providing the best of life, at the end of life, for everyone.”

Lis Burgess Jones added: “It has been an honour to serve North London Hospice and a privilege to be a trustee, a vice chair and then chair. It has also been a joy to have worked with such wonderful, talented, and committed people.

“I have very much appreciated the dedication and commitment of all those I have worked with over the years. I know the team are in great hands with Simon at the helm, and I will always be proud to have been associated with North London Hospice.”

North London Hospice cares for over 3,500 people with a life-limiting illness every year and supports their families, friends and carers.

It is open to people from all faiths and communities within the boroughs of Barnet, Enfield and Haringey. It also offers some of its services to people within Camden and Islington.