Celebrating partnership and purpose

Thanks to the success of the Best Employers Eastern Region 2025, we’re delighted to announce that we have raised over £14,000 for Arthur Rank Hospice Charity — our Charity of the Year. Co-Founder, Lynn Walters visited the Hospice on Friday to meet with CEO, Sharon Allen and Clinical Director, Sara Robins to see this critical service first hand. 

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity provides outstanding specialist palliative care and support to people living with advanced serious illnesses or life-limiting conditions across Cambridgeshire, including those in need of end-of-life care, as well as to their families and loved ones. Their holistic approach aims to enhance quality of life and ensure every moment is meaningful for patients.

What's Best Employers?

Founded by Pure Resourcing Solutions and eras Ltd, Best Employers Eastern Region is the go-to programme for understanding and transforming the employee experience. Since 2012, it has helped hundreds of organisations across the eastern region build more purposeful, inclusive, and high-performing workplace cultures.  

The 2025 programme supported over 70 organisations and included two thought-provoking leadership events, culminating in the Best Employers Awards Conference in October. As a not-for-profit initiative, we donate the proceeds to a local charity each year. In total Best Employers has donated over £70,000 to deserving causes.

Why Arthur Rank Hospice Charity?

Arthur Rank Hospice Charity has been part of the Best Employers community for several years, using employee engagement insights to support their people and strengthen their culture. Their dedication to compassion, wellbeing, and community made them a natural fit as our Charity of the Year.  

In March, we were honoured to welcome the team at Arthur Rank to the Best Employers 2025 launch conference, where they shared their story and impact. Attendees heard from Xanthe, whose husband Sam received care from Arthur Rank’s Hospice at Home team — one of many services that the charity provides to ensure patients receive expert care where they need it most.  

Lynn Walters, Executive Director at Pure, said:  

“Arthur Rank Hospice Charity embodies everything Best Employers stands for — people, purpose, and compassion. Their commitment to caring for patients, families, and staff is truly inspiring. We’re thrilled that our community of employers has helped raise over £14,000 to support their vital work across Cambridgeshire.”  

Making every moment count

In 2025/26, it will cost £14.09 million to run Arthur Rank Hospice Charity’s services. While NHS funding covers around £8.14 million, the charity must raise a further £5.96 million each year through fundraising, donations, retail sales, and events. The £1,4,000 raised through Best Employers will directly support the charity’s frontline care and specialist services — from Hospice at Home visits to inpatient care and family support.  

Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH), which runs Addenbrooke’s Hospital, is ending its annual £829,000 funding to Arthur Rank Hospice Charity — support that since 2018 has enabled patients at the end of life to move from busy hospital wards into a peaceful, specialist hospice environment. 

Sharon Allen, CEO of Arthur Rank Hospice Charity, said: 

“The removal of this funding has truly devastated us all. While we understand the immense financial pressures on CUH and the NHS, the loss of this service will have huge implications for our local community. Over 200 people each year will no longer have the option of spending their final days in the comfort of our Hospice — For us, this is truly heartbreaking. 

We’re so grateful to everyone involved in the Best Employers programme for choosing Arthur Rank Hospice Charity as your charity partner this year. The money raised will make a tangible difference to local people and their families. It’s been inspiring to see the business community come together to champion both compassionate care and workplace engagement.”