After a five-week handover period with the current interim CEO Liz Turner, Paul Winspear has taken over as the new CEO for Weston Hospicecare.
Using a wealth of experience and empathy that stems from having worked across the globe in a variety of different cultures, Paul is looking forward to putting his skills to use to benefit the hospice, which provides free high-quality end-of-life care to people affected by life-limiting illnesses and offers support to their loved ones, both locally in Weston-super-Mare and in the wider Somerset community. To prepare himself for the role, Paul said that he’s done more research than with any other job he’s ever held before — which is impressive, particularly when you consider that he’s spent the past 25 years working in the geoscience industry.
After graduating in 1989 with a degree in geophysics from the University of Southampton, Paul went on to move up the corporate ladder, eventually holding roles such as managing director and chief operating officer. Although the move to Weston Hospicecare represents a career change for Paul, he said he’s looking forward to leading the hospice in his new role, which he described as both interesting and rewarding.
‘On a personal level, I’m lucky to have had a fantastic career that I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, but in this role, I can make a direct connection between the work we do and helping people,’ Paul said. ‘For me, it is an opportunity to give something back and work in a more altruistic way. I am really going to embrace engaging with our community and building up these relationships.’
Paul expressed his gratitude to Liz, who has been ‘transferring her knowledge and explaining the journey the hospice has been on’ during the handover period and who will continue to serve the hospice as a trustee.
‘I’m determined to continue the good work, consolidate on what has been achieved and collaborate with staff, volunteers and trustees in an open and transparent way to take Weston Hospicecare forward during potentially challenging times,’ Paul said. ‘Everything we do, the decisions we make and the new initiatives we start must, either directly or indirectly, put our patients, their families and carers first, and we must do what we can to improve the quality of their lives, whether that’s measured in days, weeks or months.’