Shaping Portsmouth CEO Stef Nienaltowski to retire in the New Year

Since taking over in January 2017, Stef has transformed the not-for-profit organisation with its mission to create partnerships and lead programmes which make Portsmouth Britain’s premier waterfront city in which to invest, live, learn, work and visit.

He will step down after the annual Shaping Portsmouth Conference at The Guildhall in January 2024.

Stef said: “It has been the greatest privilege of my entire working life to have worked for and led this wonderful organisation. From 2013 when I first volunteered to join the then called Business & Enterprise programme, to January 2017 when I began my current journey as leader, the people I have worked with have been truly remarkable.

“Over the seven years of my time in the role as leader, our staff and directors, past and present, and the wonderful volunteers have made Shaping what it is today, and I know it will continue its upward path.

“The number of organisations that have financially supported our work has grown over the years and have enabled our achievements to be fulfilled. We continue to this very day to attract new partners. My perfect triangle of success – staff, volunteers, and financial partners - has put Shaping on a sustainable path.”

Shaping Portsmouth is currently running 16 programmes covering business, education and the community and is helped by 180 volunteers. There are now 67 businesses and organisations across the city committed to supporting Shaping Portsmouth as Patrons, Partners, and Associates.

The team has been strengthened and expanded in recent months with Sam McGrath appointed Director of Operations & Marketing, Matt Farmer as Head of Marketing & Communications, and Marian Oshodi-Glover as Business & Marketing Coordinator. New appointments have seen Steffan Jones take the lead on events and Kirsty Hill on education and community.

Shaping is also supported by a board of volunteer Non-Executive Directors, who will be overseeing the recruitment process for Stef’s successor with the search on for a ‘dynamic, enthusiastic and inspiring CEO to be the public face of their programmes and lead the organisation’s sustainable growth’.

The role, which is for three days a week, promises ‘the opportunity to have a rewarding and purposeful career that could leave a legacy for generations to come’.

Stef added: “As I look forward to the end of my time with Shaping I know it will be difficult for me not to start each day with the thought ‘what can we do for our city and its population today’ but I believe the time is right for someone with new ideas and energy to come in and lead this quite brilliant team. I look forward with pride and confidence as to what the future will bring.”

Shaping Co-Chairs Simon Barrable and Mark Waldron said “We would like to put on record our thanks to Stef for the incredible job he has done in transforming Shaping Portsmouth since taking the helm in 2017.

“Although we will be sad to see him step down after next year's conference, his decision opens up an amazing opportunity for someone to take forward what is now a really strong organisation, driving the Shaping strategy and piloting a course for even greater success as its dynamic new CEO.”