Wellbeing charity HWLincs is delighted to announce the appointment of Navaz Sutton as CEO. Navaz succeeds Sarah Fletcher, who has moved on to a new role, where she is wished every success. Alongside Navaz’s appointment, Michele Duggan takes over the role of Chair of the Board of Trustees from Dr Maria Prior.

Navaz, formerly of the Centre for Ageing Better, has a wealth of experience and knowledge of the local communities, infrastructures, organisations and sectors with which HWLincs works. Navaz has spent two decades working within Lincolnshire and with national charities, from delivery through to strategic leadership roles, as well as being a member of the HWLincs Board of Trustees. He brings a varied and diverse skill set that will support the charity to continue to deliver high-quality services.

“I am truly honoured to join the well-established team at HWLincs as the CEO,” said Navaz. “HWLincs has a great reputation locally and with national partners for delivering Healthwatch Lincolnshire and many other contracts, and I look forward to building upon its legacy of excellence.”

Navaz added: “My focus will be to maintain the high standards that has been set and to work closely with the Board to ensure that the 2023-2026 strategy is delivered. This is extremely important to me as I am passionate about the role HWLincs has within the county to drive change and really make a difference to the people and communities of Lincolnshire, and ensuring they get the services they need and deserve.”

HWLincs aims to influence positive change to improve people’s wellbeing, the strategy has laid out three priorities to maximise the potential for this. The three priorities identified include its people, which draws on the expertise of the team, our volunteers, and the board. There is a need for financial resilience, in these challenging times for charities, and HWLincs strives to reach new markets as well as maintain the high standards of current delivery.  All HWLincs activities will be underpinned by a more succinct approach to communications, improving awareness and impact.

A HWLincs trustee since January 2022, Michele Duggan is now Chair of the Board of Trustees.

After a 26-year career with a global bank, working in roles across Lincolnshire and the East Midlands, Michele left to complete an HR master’s degree and embark on a second career.

Following a two-year stint at City of Lincoln Council, she joined St Barnabas Hospice in 2014 as HR Manager.  She then became Director of Income Generation and People, before taking early retirement at the end of 2021.

“At a significant moment in our organisation, I am looking forward to working with our new CEO, Navaz, and the brilliant team of staff, volunteers and trustees in order to move forward with our strategic vision,” Michele said. “I hope that my experience of working within both with-profit and non-profit organisations will add value as we continue to grow and expand.”

With a proven track record of driving, analysing, and providing insight and intelligence to shape services and programme development within Lincolnshire and for national organisations, both Navaz and Michele will bring a wealth of experience and expertise that will propel HWLincs to new heights.

For more information, please contact enquiries@hwlincs.co.uk