Introducing our new Chief Executive, Rachel McMillan
We're excited to announce the appointment of Rachel McMillan as our new Chief Executive.
We’re pleased to announce the appointment of Rachel McMillan as our new Chief Executive.
Rachel is currently our Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Clinical Services and will take over the role from our CEO Eamonn O’Neal in October. Eamonn will remain part of St Ann’s and will be taking on a new position as Director of Strategic Initiatives, a role which will help to drive forward our plans for a new hospice building in Heald Green.
Rachel said:
It’s such a privilege to be taking on this role, especially as the hospice reaches its 50th anniversary next year, and enters a new chapter in its history. I’m honoured to work with such a fantastic team, and incredibly proud of the reputation St Ann’s has in our local community. It’s been a challenging time for the hospice, as we’ve had to adapt to continue providing specialist, personalised care to our patients throughout the pandemic, but I’m so proud that our teams have embraced the challenges that have come their way, and have proactively sought solutions that mean the very best for our patients. The needs of the patients and their families are at the heart of everything the hospice does and that is so important to me. I know that even as we enter a period of change and exciting developments in our history, that ethos and purpose will always remain the same. I am really looking forward to leading the organisation through this next exciting chapter. Rachel McMillan, Chief Executive
We are one of the oldest and largest hospices outside of London and offer services for thousands of local people with cancer and other life-limiting illnesses every year from our three sites in Heald Green, Little Hulton, and the Neil Cliffe Centre at Wythenshawe Hospital.
Professor Jackie Oldham, Chair of our Board, said:
This is a great appointment at an exciting time for St Ann’s. Rachel brings considerable knowledge and experience to the role and we are delighted she will be leading the organisation as we enter our fiftieth year. Professor Jackie Oldham
Rachel began her career as a nurse working in Withington Hospital, and in The Christie Hospital NHS Trust, in a variety of roles, including a Staff Nurse, Senior Staff Nurse, Ward Manager and Senior Nurse/Modern Matron. She also worked at Marie Curie Cancer Care as Nursing Services Manager, before joining St Ann’s as Director of Clinical Services in 2012. She has carried on the Director role alongside the position of Deputy Chief Executive, which she took on from 2016, following a period as Acting Chief Executive in 2015/16.
Eamonn O’Neal, Chief Executive of St Ann’s, said:
It's been such an honour to be CEO of St Ann's for more than four years, and I'm thrilled to be able to hand over the reins to Rachel. She is a fantastic leader, with a clear vision of the next phase of St Ann’s journey. She is perfectly placed to ensure the hospice is ready to embrace the challenges and opportunities of our 50th anniversary year and beyond. Rachel has been the most supportive and talented deputy any CEO could wish for and I'm looking forward to working alongside her in my new role as Director of Strategic Initiatives. Together, and with the help of the whole team, we’ll realise our ambitious plans for a new hospice building in Heald Green, so we can continue to provide vital, specialist care and support to local people for many generations to come. Eamonn O'Neal
Rachel will lead the team of more than 350 staff and 700 volunteers who support our hospice. Alongside our clinical services, we have a range of online and high street shops, as well as a lottery. In 2021, St Ann’s will enter its 50th anniversary, in which we will be hosting a wide range of activities and events planned to celebrate this important milestone.