Shaping Portsmouth – CEO Update

Shaping Portsmouth is looking forward to another exciting and transformational year in 2024. The year will kick off with the Shaping Portsmouth Annual Conference at The Guildhall on January 26. Not only will the event give you the chance to find out more about key Portsmouth projects and network with like-minded individuals, it’s also a chance to say goodbye to Stef Nienaltowski, our Shaping Portsmouth CEO, who retires after the conference this year.

Stef Nienaltowski on stage at the Shaping Portsmouth Conference

We are however delighted to announce that Dave Humphries will be taking over from Stef Nienaltowski as Shaping Portsmouth CEO to ensure the organisation can continue to move forward and make even more of a difference to our city.

Dave joins Shaping following a distinguished career with Hampshire Police, culminating in senior leadership as a Chief Inspector. Having retired in 2022 he has been working in the charity sector, both paid and voluntary, and says his focus has always been on making a difference for others.

“I’m very excited to be joining the Shaping Portsmouth team and am looking forward to working with our amazing team of staff, volunteers and patrons,” said Dave, a keen Pompey fan who is married with a daughter and two stepchildren.

“Stef has clearly done a fantastic job building Shaping Portsmouth, including collaborations and programmes that are making a real difference to our city. I feel honoured to be taking over the CEO role from him.

“Thirty years of police service and work around learning disability have given me a strong focus on making a difference for others. I’m excited to be joining Shaping Portsmouth as CEO, a role in which I can continue making a difference and helping to make Portsmouth the UK’s premier waterfront city in which to invest, live, learn, work and visit.”

New Shaping Portsmouth CEO Dave Humphries

Dave was born in Salisbury but moved to Portsmouth in 1992 when he was posted with Hampshire Constabulary to Fratton Police Station and spent the majority of his career in the city. His roles included custody manager for Portsmouth, Neighbourhood Inspector for Waterlooville, Chief Inspector for Portsmouth South and Head of Hampshire Local Policing Support as well as Project Manager for several programmes. He provided leadership and workforce management to more than 500 volunteers, established the first Men’s Forum and was the lead on White Ribbon accreditation, the campaign aimed at ending male violence against women.

On leaving the police, Dave worked for CASCAIDr, a specialist adult social care charity and has also supported local carers through work with another charity, Carers Together Hampshire.

In his spare time he is a keen photographer and runs a small wedding photography business.

Married to Karen, Dave has a daughter Matilda, step-children Mollie and Joe, and a chocolate labrador Ruby. Joe has a severe learning disability and requires full time care. Dave says caring for Joe has its challenges but also keeps him grounded and reminds him of what is important in life.

Shaping co chairs Simon Barrable and Mark Waldron said “Stef has been an incredible CEO for Shaping Portsmouth and has taken the organisation from strength to strength adding huge value across the city of Portsmouth. Replacing him with somebody with the same level of passion, and the right skills to take Shaping Portsmouth forward was never going to be easy, We whittled down a shortlist from more than 70 candidates and, following a rigorous two-stage interview process, Dave passed with flying colours.

“Those involved in the recruitment were impressed by Dave’s vast array of senior management skills vital to the CEO role, including building partnerships, forging strong relationships and working across the public and private sectors and with volunteers. Dave also made it clear that Shaping is all about the team.

“As a board we very much look forward to working with Dave as he continues the great work of Stef and the team in our mission to help make Portsmouth Britain’s premier waterfront city in which to invest, live, learn, work and visit.’

Simon and Mark also put on record their thanks to Shaping partner Carrington West for supporting and advising them throughout the recruitment process.

As well as Stef’s post-conference departure, Sam McGrath is leaving her role as Shaping’s director of operations and marketing. Sam joined the team in December 2019 and led and supported a number of key projects covering the three key pillars of business, education and community.

Simon and Mark said “Sam has been passionate in everything she has done for Shaping Portsmouth and a proud ambassador for all that we stand for. We wish her the very best in whichever direction the future takes her.”