‘I love Guernsey and the people who live here’ - Les Bourgs’ new CEO

Rob Jones took over the role from Jo Boyd in October, with the transition in leadership including a three-month handover period before Mrs Boyd stepped away at the end of the year.

Mr Jones said the handover had gone really well, and was grateful to have been supported by Mrs Boyd while he got to grips with his new role.

‘Jo is very experienced so she almost acted like a mentor when I started,' he said. 'We share a lot of common values which is reassuring.

‘Her help ensured a smooth transfer while I learnt about the hospice’s environment and the vital role that it plays.’

Mr Jones is originally from the UK, but lived and worked in Guernsey initially between 1998 and 2005, during which time he was heavily involved with local charities.

‘I worked with the local Samaritans and the Guernsey Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council (Gadac). It became an important part of my life and I learnt a lot,’ he said.

After moving to Wales in 2005 for family reasons, he worked on the boards of numerous charities before serving as chief executive of Ty Hafan children’s hospice near Cardiff between 2017 and 2020.

He jumped at the chance to return to Guernsey when he heard that the role of Les Bourgs CEO had become available.

‘I come from a corporate background, and I think the board were looking for someone who had experience in finance and fundraising as well as hospice governance.

‘Most of all though, I love Guernsey and the people who live here. I was sad to have left the first time so to have the opportunity to come back and do something that I am so passionate about is a dream come true.’

He said that he had been able to establish a good working relationship with hospice staff and volunteers during the handover period, and as a result he was looking forward to speaking to more people and evolving the hospice’s aims to match the needs of the local community in the months to come.

‘Hospice charities are unique in that they are a provider of healthcare but don’t necessarily sit in the healthcare system, they are here because communities want them and donate to them.

‘The island is blessed with so many wonderful charities, I want to spend as much time as possible supporting and working together with them in order to help people. If we are all in it together then that will be better for Guernsey.’