CHASE children’s hospice has announced the appointment of former Cadbury plc chief financial officer Ken Hanna as its new chairman.

Hanna retired as chief financial officer of Cadbury plc last year and now holds the positions of chairman of Inchcape plc and non-executive director of Tesco plc.

Hanna is the fourth chairman of CHASE in the past two years. He is preceeded by temporary acting chairman Anthony Marshall, Will Spinney who departed for personal reasons after four and a half months in July last year and Stephen Walls who served from 14 October 2004 to 3 March 2009.

Commenting on his new position, Hanna said: “It is a great privilege to have been invited to be chairman of this first-class children’s hospice service.

“I am looking forward to working with my fellow trustees and the charity's staff. Together we aim to further enhance the quality of care and support that CHASE hospice care for children provides both at Christopher’s, its children’s hospice, and in the local communities of South West London, Surrey and Sussex.”

CHASE chief executive, David King said: “The CHASE board is extremely excited about Ken’s appointment and are confident that his excellent background will stand him in good stead to excel in the current tough fundraising environment and that he will also prove to be an excellent ambassador for CHASE.”