After a transformative seven-year spell as Chief Executive Officer of Hearts Together, Liz Harding will stand down from her role at the end of the year. Liz will, however, continue to support the next phase of the Hearts Together Big Build Project.

Since joining the charity in November 2017, Liz, with the support of a dedicated network of staff, volunteers, and supporters, has led Hearts Together through profound change - including the merger of HeartSWell South West and HeartSWell Lodge CIC into the unified charity that exists today, with a modernised structure, a people-focused culture, and exciting plans to expand our Hospital Hotel to serve even more guests in their time of need.

With the Big Build reaching a crucial phase and gathering momentum, Liz will focus on our expansion plans. Meanwhile, the recruitment process for the next CEO of Hearts Together—who will oversee the day-to-day operations of the Hearts Together Hospital Hotel—is already underway.

Michelle Clark, who has held a senior leadership role as Finance Manager at Hearts Together for nearly five years, will serve as interim CEO from January 2025, ensuring continuity for staff, stakeholders, and, most importantly, our beneficiaries.

“After seven incredible years as CEO at Hearts Together it is time for a change. I am proud beyond words of all that my team and I have achieved, and the journey we have been on to become the Hearts Together you see today."

Reflecting on her seven years of leadership at Hearts Together, Liz said: “After seven incredible years as CEO at Hearts Together it is time for a change. I am proud beyond words of all that my team and I have achieved, and the journey we have been on to become the Hearts Together you see today. It has been a rollercoaster of a ride; navigating a merger, COVID, and cost of living crisis, creating a new brand, identity, and strategy, renovating and reviving our beautiful spaces, taking our technological capabilities into the 21st century, securing plans for future expansion and cultivating a values-based culture - our golden thread. While it has been a difficult decision to step down as CEO, I am pleased to remain involved in the charity’s Big Build Project, supporting the delivery of this much-needed expansion of Hearts Together’s services. Demand for our Hospital Hotel accommodation continues to exceed current capacity, and, having been involved in the project since its inception in 2018, I am still as excited and determined as ever to see it through.” 

“Liz has been a tremendous asset to Hearts Together, and we are immensely grateful for her significant contribution to the charity."

On behalf of the Hearts Together board of trustees, Interim Chair Nigel Roy said: "Liz has been a tremendous asset to Hearts Together, and we are immensely grateful for her significant contribution to the charity. Alongside a tireless team of staff, supporters, and volunteers, Liz has been pivotal in the shaping of Hearts Together. We are delighted that she will continue to lend her skills, experience and passion to our expansion plans. Thanks in no small part to Liz’s efforts, it is an incredibly exciting time for Hearts Together - we have a strong direction, purpose, and exciting plans in place to deliver our Big Build expansion project. Working alongside our Chair, this is a great opportunity for the right candidate to join a charity that continues to make a real difference.”