Mystery surrounds the sudden departure of Dorothy House chief executive Liz Brown who has left her role after nearly two years.

Mrs Brown joined the Winsley hospice in October 2012, but a message from the Board of Trustees on its website on Monday announced she has “relinquished her position of chief executive from today and is moving on to pastures new”.

The new interim chief executive, John Davies, started on Tuesday initially working two days a week. He will join the hospice full time in October.

Until then, James McDonald, director of retail, will be covering for him.

The website’s message, signed off by chairman Simon Coombe, went on to say: “We would like to thank Liz for all her hard work including developing a dynamic strategy for Dorothy House, we wish her well for the future.

“Dorothy House is a strong and innovative organisation which has met and embraced many challenges and changes in the past. Excellent care and support for our patients and their families remains our key focus and priority.”

Mrs Brown, of Collingbourne Ducis, originally trained as a lawyer, before turning to magazines and newspapers as a reporter then production editor.

Her career has seen her in roles including director of support services at Armed Forces charity SSAFA and chief executive of the Army Families’ Federation.

She took over the role from Sarah Whitfield, who was Dorothy House chief executive from 1997 and retired in October 2012, and has led more than 300 staff and almost 1,000 volunteers.

At the time Mrs Brown said in the hospice’s newsletter: “Undoubtedly there are some real challenges. There are imminent changes as the NHS restructures, in particular, the new clinical commissioning regime and we are not alone in raising funds and delivering support against competition in a tight economic climate.

“Fortunately at Dorothy House we have a very strong strategic purpose, a broad skills mix and have a fantastic reputation within our local community.”

Under her role the hospice received a positive Care Quality Commission (CQC) report in May 2013 and this year opened two new community lodges for patients, their families and carers to stay together in a private setting, cared for by the Hospice at Home team and trained volunteers.