Throughout the pandemic, we all realised the importance of family and being with our loved ones. I have taken the incredibly difficult decision to step down from my role as Nugent CEO in 2023, in order to move back home to be closer to my Canadian family. My heart will always be with Nugent.

My time at Nugent, which has coincided with our 140-year anniversary, has been extraordinary and I am immensely proud of everything that we have achieved as a charity that cares for, educates and protects vulnerable children, young people and adults through our school, care homes and community and social work services.

I will miss this city immensely, the music and the people, not to mention their fierce determination and passion. I have never seen a community pull together to look out for its own as much as Liverpool does. I am most proud of our staff’s care and compassion for the people they care for and their families who support them to do this important and essential work.

As I start a new chapter in my life, I hold this charity, our people, beneficiaries, supporters, our memories, our achievements and our incredible journey with me in my heart to stand aside and watch Nugent continue on its journey to a totally dignified and outstanding organisation. I have every confidence that Jo Henney, Nugent’s Interim CEO, and the Trustees will now take the charity to the next level, as we move forward and learn from the past, in order to push forward change in the care sector that improves the life chances for all.

I’d like to thank all of our kind-hearted staff members, volunteers, parishes, trustees, stakeholders, and commercial partners, without whom none of this would have been possible.