Hetti Barkworth-Nanton CBE, CEO at Ploughshare and Chair of the Board at Refuge
Hetti is Ploughshare's Chief Executive Officer (CEO), and Chair of the Board at Refuge, England’s largest specialist domestic abuse service provider. She is widely recognised for her work in supporting victims of domestic abuse, receiving a CBE in the 2024 New Year Honours and a Pride of Britain Award in 2024. She is also on the Advisory Board of Strategy International and the NCC.
With a distinguished career spanning financial, commercial, and transformational leadership, Hetti brings extensive expertise from sectors including airlines, utilities, and telecommunications. Her career highlights include establishing the commercial model for Openreach and driving the transformation of Vodafone UK’s Enterprise business, where she worked with major UK organisations, including the Ministry of Defence (MOD).
Since stepping into the CEO role at Ploughshare in 2020, Hetti has significantly expanded the organisation’s presence and impact, shaping its strategic direction and ensuring that government-owned intellectual property (IP) delivers tangible societal value.
A committed and people‑centred leader, Hetti champions diversity, inclusion, and the pursuit of meaningful change – both within Ploughshare and through her transformational work at Refuge. Her vision is rooted in building organisations that not only grow but also leave lasting positive impact on the communities they serve.
Outside of work, Hetti enjoys countryside walks with her dogs, theatre, music, ballet, and good food.
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