Meet the team

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

@Maddy_NAVCA

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 Maddy joined NAVCA as our CEO in March 2021. Her previous roles include CEO of Voluntary Action Sheffield, one of NAVCA’s members, and a range of posts in the Civil Service, including as Deputy Director for Higher Education at BEIS. She’s really keen to build on existing relationships and connections and be an influential and persuasive voice at national level, setting out the critical nature of local infrastructure at national level, demonstrating the importance of local infrastructure support for resilient communities as the best path to recovery.  

DEPUTY CEO  

@Alex_NAVCA 

    Alex joined NAVCA in April 2020 following several years as Chief Executive of a West Midlands-based VCSE infrastructure organisation. His experience in local infrastructure, and previous roles within funding bodies, local authorities and medium-sized charities have developed his extensive knowledge in organisational development support, funding advice and partnership development.  

 Alex has a particular interest in grant making policy and is passionate about supporting VCSEs to measure and communicate their impact to enhance sustainability.

POLICY MANAGER

Jill joined NAVCA in May 2022 as Policy Manager. She is responsible for developing insights to policy issues facing local infrastructure organisations, the VCSE sector and communities. She is working to serve the needs of members, gathering information and case studies to support local work and represent the sector to local authorities, national government and funders.  

Jill has a wide range of experience from several sectors including research, higher education and the VCSE sector. Her previous policy work focused on the broad needs of rural communities, local government and housing. 

Jill volunteers in her local community in various roles and is a long standing volunteer for a farming support charity.

MEMBERSHIP OFFICER

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Cheng Ee joined NAVCA in November 2020 as Executive Office Manager, having previously held similar roles in the education sector. She then became the Membership Officer in January 2022. Cheng Ee’s primary focus is to support NAVCA’s members. 

PROJECTS OFFICER

Lydia joined NAVCA in June 2021, having previously worked for one of our member organisations, Voluntary Action Doncaster. Her experience in working for a Local Infrastructure Organisation developed her understanding of the sector, and how local VCSE organisations operate. As Projects Officer, her focus is making sure the projects we take on fulfil the needs of our membership and have a valuable impact on their members too.

   Lydia graduated from Falmouth University in 2018 with a degree in Fashion Photography and still picks up the camera in her spare time, although her model/muse nowadays is usually her dog, Bruno.

RESOURCES OFFICER

Beck joined NAVCA in January 2022 as our Resources Officer, having previously worked in a Central Secretariat Team in the NHS, facilitating the running of Board and Executive level committee meetings. She holds the Postgraduate Diploma in Careers Guidance and worked extensively in education in advice and guidance roles with young people, alongside volunteering in mentoring, fundraising and secretarial roles in the community. 

As Resources Officer, her focus is to support the resources required by the NAVCA Team and Trustees to ensure the smooth running of NAVCA.

COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER

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Emily joined NAVCA in February 2022, having previously worked in the voluntary and community sector in South Yorkshire. She graduated from the University of Sheffield with a degree in History and Politics. As Communications Officer, Emily updates our website and social media, runs the Barking Owl network, supports the NAVCA team with communications and makes sure our members have access to useful information and resources. 

In her spare time, Emily enjoys watching and playing football.