Children’s Heart Federation chief executive Anne Keatley-Clarke is retiring after 17 years leading the charity.

She will be “enjoying some much-earned time with her family and friends”, according to the charity as it announced her departure.

Keatley-Clarke said: “It has also been a huge privilege to hear the stories shared by parents and carers, these have been used to support our lobbying to make changes to national policy.

“Parents have shared with us often very tough, heart wrenching stories but these allowed us to make a significant difference.

“Finally, my feelings are of pride in seeing confidence grow in the parents and carers we support giving them the ability to have a voice in their children’s care.”

Keatley-Clarke is to remain at the charity on a short-term consultancy basis to mentor her replacement Rajwant Kaur-Singh.

Children’s Heart Federation chair Julie Wooton added: “Anne has always been great to work with. She has maintained her drive and enthusiasm for children with heart disease unwaveringly.

“On a personal level, I can’t thank her enough. I feel we have formed a very good relationship between us and Richard Preedy, our treasurer; these things are vital.

“Anne will be missed by us and within the groups and committees where she has had so much influence."

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