Clive Nelson appointed new head of Heart Foundation

Published: 27 June 2019

The Heart Foundation today announced the appointment of Clive Nelson as its new Chief Executive.

Heart Foundation Chairman Mike Tomlinson says that Clive is an experienced leader of people who will bring experience in healthcare, established networks and a track record of partnership, collaboration and innovation to New Zealand’s heart health charity.

“The Board are delighted to be able to appoint Clive to lead the Heart Foundation. We were determined to appoint a Chief Executive with the skills and experience required to lead our organisation in its next phase as we continue to lead the fight against heart disease in New Zealand. Clive’s background makes him the ideal appointment,” Mike says.

Clive is currently the Chief Executive of the government’s Health Promotion Agency, a role he has held since the inception of the HPA in 2012.

“I’m thrilled to be joining the Heart Foundation,” says Clive.

“While it’s a tough decision to leave the Health Promotion Agency, the opportunity to lead the Heart Foundation in its work to fight New Zealand’s single biggest killer is too important to ignore. I’m very much looking forward to joining a very talented and committed team.”

Clive will join the Heart Foundation in early August 2019.

Previous roles:

2012-present: Chief Executive, Health Promotion Agency

2006-2012: Office of the Chief Executive, Watercare Services Limited. Included a 16-month secondment to the Auckland Transition Agency

1998-2006: Editorial, business and general management roles at Fairfax New Zealand.