Farleigh Hospice has appointed Michelle Kabia as its permanent Chief Executive.
Michelle has been the Interim Chief Executive of the hospice charity since March of this year, while Farleigh’s Chief Executive, Sarah Green, went on unpaid leave.
It was Sarah’s intention to return to the role early in 2026, but she has since made the difficult decision to step down in order to spend more time at home.
Farleigh Hospice’s Board of Trustees has expressed its sincere thanks to Sarah for her leadership, dedication and the positive impact she has made during her time as Chief Executive, and the charity wishes her the very best for the future.
Michelle Kabia takes over the Chief Executive role permanently from Monday 11 August, bringing extensive leadership experience and a deep commitment to the charity’s mission and values.
Farleigh Hospice provides compassionate hospice care and support for adults with life-limiting illnesses and their families across mid Essex, including Maldon and the Dengie peninsula, Braintree, Chelmsford, Halstead and Witham. Farleigh also offers bereavement information and support to local children and adults and makes no charge for any of its services.
Over the past five months, Michelle has built strong working relationships with Farleigh’s partner organisations and has led on the ‘Have Your Say’ consultation on the future direction of the hospice. She has also made significant progress in shaping Farleigh’s 2026–2029 strategy.
In response to her appointment, Michelle said: “I am absolutely delighted to be taking on the role of Chief Executive permanently. It is a privilege to lead such a dedicated team and to be part of an organisation that means so much to our community. I look forward to continuing to support Farleigh Hospice in delivering exceptional, compassionate services that are responsive to local needs and meet the ever-increasing demands on hospice care.”
Farleigh’s ‘Have Your Say’ consultation on local hospice care in mid Essex is open until the end of August. To take part in the short questionnaire, visit www.farleighhospice.org/haveyoursay or call 01245 457351 to request a paper copy.
