Heidi Travis is to step down as chief executive of Sue Ryder next year.
Travis, who has worked for the palliative care charity for 14 years, the past 11 as chief executive, said she would “semi retire” in the spring.
The charity said that under Travis’s leadership, it had “significantly expanded its palliative and end-of-life care, transformed itself into a leading bereavement support provider and reached millions of people across the UK with its brand and influencing campaigns”.
Before being appointed chief executive at Sue Ryder, Travis was the charity’s director of retail. Before that she worked as a business consultant developing small businesses and worked with Sue Ryder’s new goods operation during that time.
The charity said Travis intended to stay in post until her successor was appointed.
She said: “Sue Ryder has been the very best part of my hugely enjoyable 40-year career and with our new vision and strategy in place, it feels like the right time to handover to somebody new to steer the organisation through its next exciting phase.
“It has been a privilege to play my part in leading the organisation and I am proud of all that we have achieved together and the difference we have made to so many people.
“My non-executive roles will continue to keep me busy and spending more time with my family and some travelling is part of the plan,” she said.
Rima Makarem, chair of Sue Ryder’s board, said: “Heidi leaves Sue Ryder in a strong position with an exciting future and will be greatly missed by the staff and volunteers.”