Australia’s national charity for people affected by congenital heart disease, HeartKids, has announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer.

Rob Lutter, currently Chief Executive Officer of HeartKids New Zealand, brings with him years of extensive leadership experience in the business and not-for-profit sectors, and has a strong focus on the delivery of programs, services, fundraising and advocacy.

Chairperson of HeartKids, Jan McClelland AM, said of Lutter’s appointment: “Rob Lutter has been appointed as CEO of HeartKids after an extensive and highly competitive recruitment process.

The Board looks forward to working with Rob in leading the HeartKids team and working with the broader HeartKids community in the delivery of critical programs and services to heart kids and their families, and in pursuing our strategic objectives of support, information, research and advocacy.”

HeartKids works with health professionals to provide lifelong support for those with congenital heart disease and their families Australia-wide. It also funds life-saving s research, advocates and informs. To date, HeartKids has committed more than $3.75 million to fund research into the causes, treatment and management of childhood heart disease.

Lutter, a father of a heart kid himself, has a deep passion for providing support and services to children with congenital heart disease and their families.

Lutter will commence the role of Chief Executive Officer of HeartKids on 7 January 2019, and will be based in Melbourne.