Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE

I have a career leading financial, commercial and transformational change across large blue chip organizations, and I am now privileged to be the CEO at Ploughshare and Chair of the Board at Refuge, the largest provider of specialist domestic abuse services in England.

My experience covers the airline, utilities and telecoms industries. In the last 10 years of my private sector career, I brought my expertise and collaborative leadership skills into the telecommunications industry, being responsible for delivering the commercial model for Openreach on its establishment, and the transformation of the Vodafone UK Enterprise business, which works with many of the large UK businesses including public sector such as MOD.

My commitment to being a leader of hope has driven our focus of creating an organization which is diverse and inclusive, and delivers real impact to society. My work with Refuge is equally delivering substantial transformation in an organization which does inspiring work, but where greater commitment to inclusivity, quality standards, empowerment and partnership working is fundamental.

In October 2024, I was awarded a Pride of Britain Special Recognition Award, alongside my co-founder of the Joanna Simpson Foundation, Diana Parkes CBE, for their service in transforming the care, support, and protection of children affected by domestic abuse and homicide.