The Denis Hurley Centre (DHC) Trustees are delighted to announce the appointment of a new Director, Bridget Ward.

By the end of the year she will succeed Raymond Perrier, who has been Director since DHC was opened in January 2015. At Perrier’s request, the Trustees have been looking for a successor to help the DHC move into a new phase now that he has completed almost 12 years of service.

Ward comes to the DHC with extensive experience in business and with faith-based organisations. She has worked with several large corporates (as an employee or consultant) for the past 12 years, and with a Durban-based organisation committed to uplifting society through the provision of Christian education.

Also read: Denis Hurley Centre Street Store serves success

Ward explains why she was drawn to the DHC: “As well as providing for physical needs, the DHC inspires hope for the poor… It may only be enough to face the next day or hour; but, by consistently showing up, providing authentic care, and recognising the value of even the most marginalised, we pass on hope and inspire faith.”

She graduated with a Bachelor’s in Social Science from UKZN. Her initial awareness of the DHC was through her two sons (whose school regularly sends volunteers to DHC), and via her husband, the CEO of PhotoNote, which supplies DHC photocopying and printing needs.

Also read: Denis Hurley Centre trumpets bass, drum for good cause

She was brought up in a Catholic home and has fond memories of her convent primary school; she was married at Fatima Church in Durban North, and now attends Immanuel Church in Somerset Park. While drawing on her own strong faith, she also recognises the DHC’s success in bringing together people of different religious traditions.

“The social perils of our world are large and scary, and I won’t pretend otherwise. No single one of us can fix them alone. When we act together, as a body, all the small acts of kindness add up to something far bigger than any one person or organisation could achieve,” Ward said.

Ward will start on September 16 and work side by side with Perrier in a handover period of three and a half months. During that time, she will have a chance to meet some of the many organisations that have partnered with the DHC.

Also read: Denis Hurley Centre to honour Paddy Kearney

Perrier commended the Board of Trustees on the thoroughness of their selection process. “It has taken almost two years to find the right person, during which time both the Pope and the Archbishop of Canterbury have been replaced. But I am confident that we have. The DHC does not need someone who is predictable but instead a person with a strong faith, a good business head, a passion for the poor and a creative flair. I share the Trustees’ belief that Bridget is that person.”

Chair of the DHC, Canon Dr Delysia Timm, commented, “Bridget brings with her a strong commitment to justice, human dignity, compassion and community: values that are at the heart of the Centre’s mission. We are confident that she will build on the Centre’s strong legacy while bringing fresh energy, vision and creativity to its work.

“We are extremely grateful to Raymond, who for the past dozen years has led us with such extraordinary vision, formidable leadership, compassion, tenacity and commitment. He has indeed put our organisation firmly on the national and international map. We look forward to continuing the organisation’s amazing work under Bridget’s leadership,” she added.

For some time now, Perrier’s focus as Director has been on the external activities of the DHC and that will be Bridget’s new role. The internal operations have been, and will continue to be, overseen by Leanne Banks who has been with the DHC for more than nine years and has been COO since January 2025. She said: “I look forward to Bridget’s contribution toward deepening and widening the firm foundation that the DHC enjoys thanks to Paddy Kearney and Raymond.”

Perrier, who is originally from the UK, plans to stay in SA, though spending more time in Johannesburg where his husband is based. His immediate next focus will be working on a book as a Research Fellow of the Centre for Faith and Community at the University of Pretoria

For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok.

Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here