Andrew Lesperance, Chief Executive Officer of Cranford Hospice, brings extensive experience in health leadership, clinical practice and service development across New Zealand, Canada and the United States.

Originally from Ontario, Canada, Andrew trained as a registered nurse and began his career in remote Indigenous health settings in northern Canada, where he developed a strong foundation in culturally responsive and community-based care.

His clinical background includes intensive care, cardiology and open-heart surgical environments, supported by postgraduate qualifications in cardiology, education, business and leadership.

Since moving to New Zealand, Andrew has held a range of senior clinical and executive roles across the health sector, leading large multidisciplinary teams and major health service developments. His experience includes hospital expansions, integrated primary care facilities and innovative community-based models of care, including playing a key role in the development of the new Hastings Health Centre.

Andrew has also held senior planning and funding roles, Acting Chief Executive positions, and contributed nationally through Cancer Control New Zealand, the Palliative Care Council of New Zealand and Hospice New Zealand.

Alongside his executive leadership, Andrew currently serves on the Health Hawke’s Bay board and brings a strong focus on strategy, governance and integrated care.