An effective troubleshooter and passionate advocate for social causes, Hattie Llewelyn-Davies has died at the age of 71. Known for her tireless work in homelessness, healthcare, and social housing, she was widely respected for her commitment and vision.
Early Life and Career
Hattie was born in London into a family dedicated to public service. Her mother, Pat (nee Parry), was the first woman to run a parliamentary whip's office, and her father, Richard, was the master planner of Milton Keynes. After leaving Camden School for Girls, Hattie chose to make a difference in the world of homelessness charities, starting in the early 1970s at the West London Mission.
Within a few years, she was running the Piccadilly Advice Centre for homeless young people. In 1992, she became chief executive of Shepherds Bush Housing Association. Her dedication was recognized in 2004 when she was appointed OBE, and in 2018 she was named the Sunday Times Public Sector NED of the year, an honor she was immensely proud of.
Board Service and Troubleshooting
Over the years, Hattie served on more than 30 boards. Shortly before her death, she had been appointed as chair designate of a major newly merged Hertfordshire housing association. However, she was no mere serial non-executive director; she brought imagination, drive, and vision to every table she sat at. In several appointments, she acted as a troubleshooter, using common sense to resolve financial, governance, and cultural issues.
Her non-executive assignments included a wide variety of organizations: housing associations large and small, health trusts, charities, a museum, a sailing club, and a building society.
Personal Life and Passions
In 2002, Hattie married her longtime partner Chris Holmes, the chief executive of Shelter. They settled in Tring, Hertfordshire, and had two children, Sara and her son, as well as two grandchildren, Ottilie and George.
Beyond her professional life, Hattie had many talents. She was an accomplished knitter and crocheter, creating beautiful clothes and stuffed animals for her grandchildren. She was also a keen sailor, teaching her children seamanship on Lulworth Skipper, her prized boat moored on the Norfolk Broads. Another of her passions was animal welfare; she rehomed ferrets, hedgehogs, and injured birds. Additionally, she was a qualified hypnotherapist, though she did not practice.
Chris died in 2014. Hattie is survived by her children and grandchildren.
