New chief executive at Jewish residential care home specialist

Jewish residential care home specialist Nightingale Hammerson has announced the appointment of a new chief executive who will take up her role in July.

Taking over from Helen Simmons, who has been in the role for eight years, Jenny Pattinson will join from the Salvation Army, where she has been operationally for the charity’s 12 care homes, managing 560 staff.

Nightingale Hammerson, a specialist in residential, nursing, and dementia care over two large sites in London, will be a different challenge for Pattinson, an elected Councillor and Cabinet Member at Watford Borough Council. It has a £20m turnover and around 350 staff.

Trustees said Simmons had led Nightingale Hammerson to become an “outstanding” organisation, and that her tenure had been “transformative”. She is to become the new chief executive at St Christopher’s Hospice in South London.

Chair Melvin Lawson said Pattinson would bring “a wealth of knowledge and experience from her extensive care background” and “the vision to drive our charity forward”. He added: “We thank Helen for the enormous contribution she has made and wish her every success in her new role.”