The new chairwoman of Haven House Children’s Hospice has vowed to expand its support services.

Frances Daley was on Tuesday announced as the replacement for Ian Sparks, who has been in the role for the past seven years.

Ms Daley, from Loughton, is a chartered accountant and is also deputy chair of a charitable trust school.

She said: “I was really impressed with the hospice’s holistic approach to the whole family and the support given to parents and siblings as well as the unwell child.

“My predecessor Ian has done an amazing job of captaining Haven House through difficult financial times and helping to make it the robust and successful organisation it is today, 2014 and beyond will be about building upon that success, expanding services and supporting more children and families who desperately need our help.”

Haven House chief executive, Mike Palfreman, said that Frances’ extensive experience in both the corporate and charity worlds would be an asset to the hospice, based in High Road, Woodford Green..

He also thanked Ian Sparks for his continued commitment to the charity, stating that he had helped to change the lives of many families during his time at Haven House.