Administrative Team
Overseeing the day-to-day running of the Hospice, its families, staff and volunteers.

Rachael Taylor
Contact details
Tel: 0161 434 4118
Email: rachael.taylor@francishouse.org.uk
Rachael trained as a Solicitor gaining a Law Degree (2:1) and Law Society Finals (hons), elected a member of the Law Society in 1996. She joined the Law Society Family Law Panel in 1998 and became Resolution Accredited Specialist (children and domestic violence in 2010, and Resolution Collaborative Lawyer in 2011). Rachael became a Trustee in 2000 serving in that capacity until her appointment to Assistant to the Chief Executive in 2012. Rachael succeeded Revd David Ireland as Chief Executive in April 2025 following his retirement.

Karen Smail
Contact details
Tel: 0161 434 4118
Email: karen.smail@francishouse.org.uk
Karen joined the administrative team in April 2018 after working at the Royal Bank of Scotland as the team manager responsible for the mortgage underwriters team. When she first joined Francis House she was responsible for updating medical records and all administrative work relating to recruitment and appointments. She became the P.A. in September 2021 following the retirement of the previous postholder.