HIVE Portsmouth has appointed a new Chief Officer to continue its vital work to improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Portsmouth.
Lorna Reavley will be taking on the role in June, bringing with her a wealth of experience from health and social care, higher education and the voluntary sector.
She said: “I’m joining HIVE Portsmouth at an exciting time. As a Portsmouth resident I saw the pivotal role which the charity played in coordinating community support and helping local people and groups during the pandemic.
“Now, the focus is now very much on the charity’s key goals; to improve the health and well-being of people in Portsmouth, to develop the voluntary sector within the city, to enable and support social action and to ensure that people have flexibility and choices about activities and services in their city.
“The charity makes a very real difference to the lives of local people and I am looking forward to being a part of that.”
Outgoing consultant Chief Officer Louise Wilders was a driving force behind the formation of HIVE Portsmouth, which was established as a company in June 2019, and as a charity in April 2020.
She said “I’m so proud of HIVE Portsmouth and what we have achieved. It has been a privilege to watch the charity grow into the incredible force for good which it is today.
“During my time as Chief Officer I’ve witnessed countless business, community groups and individuals step forward to offer their support, particularly during the pandemic. It’s been an honour to work alongside them and our dedicated staff and volunteers, in order to make a real difference to the local community.”
Revd Canon Bob White, Chair of HIVE Portsmouth Trustees said: “We are thrilled to welcome Lorna, who is joining us at what is a really important time for the charity. Her wide-ranging experience and impressive track record, as well as her positive attitude, make her a perfect fit for HIVE Portsmouth.
“We are enormously grateful to Lou who has consistently inspired us with her innovative approach and dedication to our mission. She will be very much missed by her colleagues, the wider community and our partners. We wish her all the best for her future endeavours as we welcome Lorna to the team.”