Sharon Allen, the CEO for Skills for Care, has announced she is stepping down in April.

The Skills for Care head is leaving her role to become the CEO with the Arthur Rank Hospice Charity.

Ms Allen said: “I wanted a new role that really embedded me in the local community where I live and this opportunity at Arthur Rank Hospice Charity offers me a chance to make sure that people across Cambridgeshire can access palliative and end of life care services that meets their needs.

“Leading the highly skills hospice team brings together my absolute commitment to local services with everything I have learnt throughout my career, particularly over the last nearly nine years at Skills for Care.”

Ms Allen joined the company, which supports England’s 21,200 adult social care employers to improve the skills and knowledge of more than 1.47 million workers, in 2009.

“I have really valued the skills, knowledge and commitment of everyone who has worked at Skills for care who have transformed us into the go to organisation for all workforce matters in adult social care.

“I know whoever succeeds me will be taking over an organisation that is in a very good place thanks to the tireless efforts of a hugely talented group of professionals who I will miss greatly.”

Dame Moira Gibb, Skills for Care Chair: “Since I became Skills for Care Chair I have developed a close working relationship with Sharon who has been an outstanding leader and a respected voice putting the case for our sector’s growing workforce.

“Her clear commitment to public service and top quality care services for people in our communities has been an example to everyone who works at Skills for Care. Her contribution to the sector was recognised by an OBE in 2015.

“The Skills for Care board are sad to see her go but we wish her well in this new role that will play to her many strengths.”