Maddy Desforges
Maddy Desforges
Maddy Desforges
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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.
Alex Boys
Maddy Desforges
Maddy Desforges
DEPUTY CEO
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.
Karen Spark
Anne-Marie Morrison
Anne-Marie Morrison
RESOURCES MANAGER
Karen joined NAVCA in November 2020 as Finance Manager, having worked in a number of different industries as a member of CIMA (Chartered Institute of Management Accountants). Karen’s primary focus is in strong collaboration with teams across organisations to influence decisions and aid the achievement of strategic goals as well as reporting and financial systems.
Karen has volunteered with a number of charities both in South Yorkshire and overseas and truly believes in the positive impact that volunteering can make to local communities.
Anne-Marie Morrison
Anne-Marie Morrison
Anne-Marie Morrison
HEALTH AND WELLBEING MANAGER
Anne-Marie joined NAVCA in January 2022, supporting Social Prescribing in the VCSE sector by further enhancing collaboration between NAVCA, NASP and other stakeholders.
Anne-Marie has worked in the VCSE sector for over 18 years, delivering on a range of programmes addressing Health Inequalities, most recently as Deputy Programme Manager for Living Well Sefton, within Sefton CVS. Anne-Marie was also the NHS England Regional Learning Coordinator for Social Prescribing for the North West.
Anne-Marie is a longstanding volunteer for 2 local organisations, working on the ground level to improve access to food for communities.
Helen Carter
Anne-Marie Morrison
Jill Hopkinson
MEMBERSHIP MANAGER
Helen joined NAVCA in January 2022 as Membership Manager. She has experience across a wide range of sectors including local authorities and charities. Her previous role as Project Development Coordinator for National Energy Action gave her an insight into the pressures facing vulnerable clients and charitable organisations during a time of great upheaval and she is looking forward to supporting LIOs to grow and become more resilient.
She will be managing and delivering our new membership offer, developing relationships with members and partners and overseeing the Quality Offer.
Jill Hopkinson
Jill Hopkinson
Jill Hopkinson
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.
Cheng Ee Kok
Jill Hopkinson
Lydia Lowther
MEMBERSHIP OFFICER
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.
Lydia Lowther
Jill Hopkinson
Lydia Lowther
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 VCSEs 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.
Lydia Warden
Rebecca Vickers
Rebecca Vickers
HEALTH AND WELLBEING OFFICER
Lydia joined NAVCA in October 2021, having graduated from the University of Sheffield in July 2021 with a degree in Human Geography. She supports NAVCA’s delivery of programmes in partnership with NHSE and other health partners, as well as engaging with our members on health and wellbeing. Whilst at university, she was Local Director of Enactus Sheffield, a student-led social enterprise. She is passionate about the importance of tackling health inequalities and the critical role that the local VCSE sector plays in this.
Rebecca Vickers
Rebecca Vickers
Rebecca Vickers
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.
Emily Lewis
Rebecca Vickers
Emily Lewis
COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Emily joined NAVCA in February 2022, having previously worked in the voluntary and community sector in South Yorkshire. She graduated in 2019 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.