The People Behind the Care: Meet Peter Young, ellenor’s new Director of Finance & Resources
Peter Young has recently joined ellenor as its new Director of Finance and Resources, a role that brings together some of the most vital and often unseen parts of hospice life – finance, HR, IT, governance and volunteering. Working closely with his teams, Peter helps ensure the hospice has the systems, resources and support it needs to provide the very best care for people and families across Gravesham, Dartford, and the surrounding communities.
“I see my role as giving people the support, tools, and confidence to do their jobs well and reminding them why what they do matters,” says Peter.
His route to hospice life has been far from typical. Originally trained as a chemical engineer, he began his career working across industrial sites in the UK and Europe before moving into the education sector, where he spent nearly two decades leading school operations, finances, and major redevelopment projects.
“One of the things I’m most proud of was leading the rebuild of three schools in London – two primary and one secondary,” he recalls. “It was incredible to see how a school could unite a community. Families settled in the area, children felt rooted, and the community began to grow around that sense of belonging. That shared purpose has shaped how I work to this day.”
After 20 years in education, Peter began looking for a new challenge that would combine his analytical skills with his belief in social purpose.
“The charity sector appealed because it brings together structure and compassion,” he says. “It’s about uniting people and systems around a shared goal and that’s what drew me to ellenor.”
As part of the senior leadership team, Peter is responsible for stewarding ellenor’s financial health and long-term sustainability. Around £2.2 million of the hospice’s income comes from NHS contracts, with a further £6.8 million raised each year through fundraising, retail, legacies, and community support.
“Those figures often surprise people,” Peter says. “Without hospices like ellenor, the NHS would face much higher costs. Because hospice care isn’t prioritised nationally, local generosity is essential to keeping our services going.”
Peter’s portfolio also covers digital transformation, governance, and volunteer development – areas he believes are central to keeping hospice care efficient and people-focused.
“We now have access to NHS patient records, so when someone is referred to us, our team can see their medical history right away,” he explains. “That means patients don’t have to repeat their story, and care is much more joined-up.”
With around 180 staff and 300 volunteers, ellenor’s people are at the heart of its operations. Peter is keen to strengthen the volunteering programme, creating more flexible opportunities that reflect modern lifestyles and skills.
“Someone might help in a shop one month, then lend professional expertise to a project the next,” he says. “It’s about helping people feel valued and part of the hospice family, whatever time they can give.”
Peter acknowledges that managing resources in the current climate often means making tough choices. “We can’t fund everything we’d like to,” he says. “That’s why a clear mission matters; it helps us focus our resources where ellenor’s specialist care can make the greatest difference.”
Looking ahead, Peter is optimistic about the future. “We face challenges – from rising costs to an ageing population –- but there’s also opportunity. We’ll need to be creative about how we fundraise, use technology and reach communities who don’t yet know about us. Compassionate care should be available to everyone.”
He smiles. “What’s struck me most since joining ellenor is how much people love it here. The passion is infectious. Everyone – from nurses to volunteers to the finance team – cares deeply about what we do. And that’s what makes this place so special.”
