Independent children’s charity strengthens all-female leadership team

Independent charity Nugent has announced a new addition to its all-female leadership team.

At its annual leadership summit this week, the charity’s CEO Normandie Wragg welcomed Sarah Dimmelow as its new chief operating officer.

Sarah joins Nugent from Polaris Children’s Services where she was managing director and brings with her more than eight years’ experience at executive level. In her role at Nugent Sarah will act as its executive lead for safeguarding.

Completing the team is Joanne Henney, Nugent’s deputy chief executive and chief governance officer, a role she has had for more than two years. Joanne leads the organisation’s growth plan alongside Normandie.

Now in its 140th year, Nugent is an independent registered charity that provides life-changing and life-saving care and support to the most vulnerable children, young people and adults in society, through its network of schools, care homes, and community and social work services.

The leadership team will now drive forward an ambitious agenda for change in funding to create positive outcomes for its people and beneficiaries, especially post-pandemic.

Normandie Wragg, Nugent CEO, said: ‘If the pandemic has taught us anything, it is that we can never rest on our laurels and we have to be ready for every eventuality.

‘With the addition of Sarah, I am confident we now have a leadership team that can drive forward an ambitious strategy that will innovate and expand our services at a time when they are needed the most, to fulfil our vision of becoming a truly outstanding organisation and to ensure the charity has the biggest impact on the lives of the people we are proud to serve.

‘It is incredible to think that Nugent has been around for 140 years. It is now about taking that proud legacy forward and learning from the past to push forward change in the care sector that improves the life chances for all.’

Sarah Dimmelow, chief operating officer at Nugent, said: ‘I am very excited to be joining Nugent. Having spent time with the trustees and leadership team recently, two things really stood out. First, values drive the work of the organisation.

‘How we treat others and how we behave as individuals defines our impact and our success. Second, the quality of services is paramount.

‘Keeping children and adults safe, secure and able to reach their full potential defines not just our purpose as an organisation but our professional identity. As someone who shares these priorities, I am keen to join and support Nugent’s journey.’

To celebrate its 140th anniversary and help continue its work in supporting the most vulnerable in the community, Nugent hopes to raise at least £140,000 in unrestricted donations by the end of this financial year.

For more information, visit the website.

Photo Credit – Nugent