After 21 years as CEO of Harrogate Neighbours, Sue Cawthray is officially stepping down. The group is delighted to welcome Helena Evans as its new CEO.
Not-for-profit care provider, Harrogate Neighbours, has announced the appointment of Helena Evans as its new Chief Executive Officer, succeeding long-serving CEO Sue Cawthray, who will step down from the role at the end of June following more than two decades of transformational leadership.
Helena brings more than 20 years’ experience across the housing, supported housing, support and care sectors, including almost a decade serving as CEO within community-based housing and support organisations.
Her appointment marks the beginning of a new chapter for the respected Harrogate charity and care provider, which supports older and vulnerable people across Harrogate and surrounding communities.
Throughout her career, Helena has developed a strong reputation for strategic leadership, operational excellence and championing inclusive, person-centred services. She has extensive experience leading charitable and public sector organisations and has worked closely with older people, vulnerable communities and those with lived experience of housing and support needs.
Commenting on her appointment, Helena Evans said:
"I am incredibly proud to be joining Harrogate Neighbours at such an important and exciting time in its journey.
"The organisation has an outstanding reputation for delivering compassionate, high-quality care, housing and support services, and I am looking forward to building on the fantastic work already achieved by Sue and the dedicated team.
“My ambition is to ensure Harrogate Neighbours continues to be an innovative, forward-thinking and resilient organisation, one that not only delivers exceptional services for older people, but is also recognised as an employer of choice and a valued partner within the local community.”
Helena’s wider sector experience includes serving as a voluntary board member for a supported housing association supporting women and children affected by domestic abuse and homelessness, as well as acting as an independent housing advisor to a council-owned housing association supporting more than 10,000 tenants and families.
Her appointment follows the retirement announcement of Sue Cawthray, who joined Harrogate Neighbours as CEO in December 2005 after responding to what she describes as “a very small advert in the Harrogate Advertiser” while looking for a new challenge.
Over the past 21 years, Sue has overseen a period of significant growth and innovation for the organisation, helping to establish Harrogate Neighbours as one of the region’s most respected care and housing providers.
Reflecting on her time at Harrogate Neighbours, Sue said:
“I am incredibly proud of what has been achieved at Harrogate Neighbours and privileged to have worked alongside such an amazing and dedicated team.
"Together, we have built an organisation that is strong financially, respected locally and nationally, and deeply committed to supporting older people and our communities.
“It has been an honour to lead the organisation, and I know Helena will continue to drive the organisation forward with passion, compassion and fresh ambition.”
Among her many achievements was leading the development of The Cuttings, Harrogate Neighbours’ extra care housing scheme, a project that required years of planning, negotiation and fundraising, including securing £7.5 million in funding. Sue described the opening day, and seeing residents walk into their new homes for the first time, as one of the defining moments of her career.
Sue also guided the organisation through the unprecedented challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, during which Harrogate Neighbours continued delivering essential meals, care and support services to vulnerable people across the community. During this time, Sue became a recognised voice within the sector, sharing expertise and guidance with providers locally and nationally.
Sue’s contribution to the organisation and wider community has also included receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service on behalf of Harrogate Neighbours for its Meals on Wheels service, as well as representing the sector at national events and engagements, including visits to the House of Commons, a Queen’s Garden Party and an afternoon tea reception with Queen Camilla.
Sue’s final day as CEO will be 30 June, although she will continue to support the organisation during the transition period.
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