MYSTERY still surrounds the sudden departure of Dorothy House chief executive Liz Brown, who has left her role after nearly two years. 

Mrs Brown joined the Winsley hospice in October 2012, but a message from the Board of Trustees on its website on Monday announced she had “relinquished her position of chief executive from today and is moving on to pastures new”. 

The new interim chief executive, John Davies, started on Tuesday, initially working two days a week. He will join the hospice full time in October, but is not a permanent appointment. Until then, James McDonald, director of retail, will be covering for him. 

The website’s message, signed by chairman Simon Coombe, went on to say: “We would like to thank Liz for all her hard work including developing a dynamic strategy for Dorothy House, we wish her well for the future. 

“Dorothy House is a strong and innovative organisation which has met and embraced many challenges and changes in the past. Excellent care and support for our patients and their families remains our key focus and priority.” 

A hospice insider said her departure on Monday came as a surprise and added: “She come back from holiday and left by the end of the day.” 

Mrs Brown, of Collingbourne Ducis, trained as a lawyer before turning to magazines and newspapers as a reporter then production editor. Her career has seen her in roles including director of support services at Armed Forces charity SSAFA and chief executive of the Army Families’ Federation. 

She took over the role from Sarah Whitfield, who was Dorothy House chief executive from 1997 before retiring in October 2012, and has led over 300 staff and almost 1,000 volunteers. 

At the time Mrs Brown said in the hospice’s newsletter: “Undoubtedly there are some real challenges. There are imminent changes as the NHS restructures, in particular, the new clinical commissioning regime and we are not alone in raising funds and delivering support against competition in a tight economic climate.Fortunately at Dorothy House we have a very strong strategic purpose, a broad skills mix and have a fantastic reputation within our local community.” 

The hospice received a positive Care Quality Commission report in May 2013, meeting all the standards required, and also won a £462,497 grant from the Department of Health. This went towards two new community lodges for patients, their families and carers to stay together in a private setting, cared for by the Hospice at Home team and trained volunteers.

John Davies, from Frome, had a career in the Army before 
entering the business sector, taking on a variety of senior roles in companies including Butler & Tanner Ltd of Frome and London, becoming personnel director in 1996. 

In 2004 he set up his own business consultancy to support innovation and business growth, primarily in the area of manufacturing. 

Mr Davies, a father-of-five, returned to military service 
in 2009 to establish a team of on call specialists to support UK plc as it seeks to influence, support and aid countries and communities facing difficulty or adversity.