The team at the International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN) would like to announce that Mike Palfreman was elected as the new Chair of the ICPCN International Board of Trustees. Mike has worked in the hospice sector for 12 years, first at Hospice UK, then Haven House Children’s Hospice in North East London for 10 years before moving to Jersey Hospice Care as CEO in 2021. His passion for providing dignity and choice to those at the end of their lives makes him a strong appointment.
Mike started working in the banking industry before joining the voluntary sector in 1993. He started at the RNIB as a fundraiser before heading up a Capital Appeal. Following five years at the Princess Royal Trust for Carers (now Carers Trust) as Director of Fundraising, he became Chief Executive of Age Concern Havering, a borough with one of the highest elderly populations in London. Following a family experience of receiving hospice care, Mike became interested in the hospice world, working for a year as Interim Director of Fundraising at Hospice UK before being appointed as Chief Executive of Haven House in 2011 where he also served as Board member and Chair of CHaL (Children’s Hospices Across London). In 2019 became Treasurer of the ICPCN and now steps up to become Chair.
Mike is excited about his appointment as the Chair. He said:
“With less than 5% of the 21 million children and young people worldwide who need it receiving good palliative care, the unmet need is massive. ICPCN has made significant contribution to the growth of children’s palliative care over the last 20 years but a huge amount remains to be done. I’m looking forward to working with Professor Julia Downing, our CEO, to make a big difference in the future.”
We are delighted to have Mike Palfreman as our new Chair and we are sure that his wealth of experience, dedication, passion for his work, and contribution to the ICPCN International Board of Trustees will be invaluable. Welcome aboard!