A Minchinhampton charity for hospice care has a new boss.

Ali Russell, who is currently Longfield’s director of ops and development, will take up the post of acting chief executive for the charity on June 22.

She lives with her family in Brimscombe and has been with the charity for two years - she was previously chief executive of New Brewery Arts in Cirencester.

Her move follows the resignation of Andrew Fletcher who is taking up the position of chief executive at Together for Short Lives, the UK charity for children’s palliative care.

Trevor Bentley, chair of the charity’s trustees, said: “We are delighted that Ali has agreed to take on this temporary role while the Board considers a longer-term appointment.

“This continuity will ensure that the charity will remain on target with its 30th anniversary objective of supporting more people in more places. Longfield has grown incredibly in three decades and we are now looking to grow and expand further in Gloucestershire.

“We know that there is a huge unmet need here in our county and Longfield continues to be the largest Hospice at Home provider in Gloucestershire. Ali will enable us to continue our drive to expand services and to provide those services in the community, closer to those in need.”

Longfield employs 124 full and part-time staff and supported 1,228 people last year.