Stockport hospice closes trading on London Stock Exchange

Stockport charity, St Ann’s Hospice, had the honour of closing trading on the London Stock Exchange on 29th March after being named Winner of Winners at the 2021 Chamber Business Awards.

The charity were awarded the prize after being put forward to the national competition following local success at regional awards hosted by the Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce.

Now in its 18th year, the Awards are one of the showpiece events in the business calendar, highlighting the role of business in delivering growth and prosperity for the UK and local communities. St Ann’s Hospice was recognised for their commitment in operating and solving urgent and immediate problems in an extremely challenging ‘market’ and wider environment.

Speaking about St Ann’s win, Rachel McMillan, CEO of the Stockport hospice charity, said:  

“The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone. At the very outset of the pandemic our teams quickly sprang into action, every department came together. They supported each other and used their resilience and creative thinking to be innovative and re-think how they could carry on delivering our services so people could still access the specialist care we provide.? We led change, we were bold and brave, and we were stronger together. It is a huge privilege to accept this award on behalf of the organisation, one that I am immensely proud to be part of. I am so proud of everyone at St Ann’s, who found solutions, supported each other and made things happen despite the huge challenges we faced.” 

British Chambers of Commerce Chair, Sarah Howard said:

“If ever there was a worthy winner of this award, then St Ann’s Hospice is it. The difference its staff is making in people’s lives on a daily basis is already incredible. But the speed and inventiveness with which it then responded to its funding crisis following the impact of Covid-19 was truly phenomenal. In doing so it ensured its patients, friends and families continued to receive the support they needed at a time of great uncertainty.” 
 
“Congratulations to the team at St Ann’s Hospice. We wish them every success, and hope they enjoy the opportunity to close the prestigious London Stock Exchange.” 

Hospice charity, St Ann’s was established in 1971 and now operates from three sites across Stockport and Greater Manchester (the Neil Cliffe Centre, St Ann’s Hospice Heald Green, and St Ann’s Hospice Little Hulton), making it among the largest adult hospices outside London.