Children’s Heart Surgery Fund (CHSF) welcomes Ruth Davany as new CEO
Ruth will begin her new role in December – replacing Interim CEO Kate Hainsworth, who has stewarded the charity in 2024 and helped to recruit a permanent leader.
Ruth comes from her role as CEO of Behind Closed Doors which she has led since January 2021, having previously worked in the Refugee and Migrant sector for 10 years.
Commenting on her appointment to the role, she said:
“I’m excited to be joining the team at Children’s Heart Surgery Fund in December.
“I’ve been lucky to have some fantastic opportunities through my career in the voluntary sector and am looking forward to building on my experience of partnerships, collaboration and building relationships to support CHSF into the next phase of our development.”
Ruth put a high value on partnership and collaboration during her tenure at Behind Closed Doors – she currently chairs the Domestic Abuse Voice & Accountability Forum in Leeds and is the independent co-Chair of the West Yorkshire Police Scrutiny Panel into Violent Crimes Against Women and Girls.
And CHSF are known for their collaborative working with peer charities working locally such as Take Heart, Tiny Tickers, Heart Research UK and The Sick Children’s Trust.
Outgoing CEO, Kate Hainsworth said:
“We crafted a rigorous recruitment process to ensure the new CEO is able to lead this passionate and expert staff team, enabling them to deliver the best possible support to children and families in partnership with hospital colleagues. I am delighted Ruth sees her future with the charity at this key moment.”
Kieran Brady, Chair of the CHSF Board of Trustees, led the comprehensive recruitment process and was impressed by the calibre of candidates:
“I am confident that Ruth will drive forward CHSF’s mission to support children born with heart disease and their families. I know she will also keep alive our shared values, continue to foster our collaborative culture and redouble our efforts to build a future for children with congenital heart conditions in our region.
“I’d also like to thank Kate Hainsworth, who has done a fabulous job over the past year to lead CHSF into this new chapter. I wish her the very best of success in her future endeavours.”
CHSF support the Leeds Congenital Heart Unit (LCHU) as a world-class centre of excellence – by providing the funding and resources needed to care for a patient’s heart, mind, family and future. The LCHU itself is supported by 19 local hospitals with outreach clinics across the region.
Around 1 in 125 babies are born with a congenital heart defect, and CHSF provide life-saving medical equipment for the LCHU, parent accommodation, and essential ward resources. They also provide emotional, practical and support for heart families and fund staff training, scientific research and new clinical roles.
Ruth will be joining a workforce of 15 charity staff, who facilitate fundraising and awareness of congenital heart disease by partnering with local businesses, working with advocates, families and donors within the community and leveraging trusts and foundations.
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