Trustees
Stephen Shrubb
Independent Chair
Steve worked in the NHS for 40 years as a domestic Nurse, therapist, Network Director and CEO. Steve has always been passionate about mental health and committed to empowering those who need help and support. He is a strong supporter of co-production and believes that people who experience from mental ill-health need support to live…
Sanjay Shah
Director of Finance, Certitude
Sanjay has over 20 years experience working within the charity sector and the Health service. He has recently been appointed the Director of Finance for Certitude. Certitude is the parent organisation of two others which focus on supporting people with Learning Disabilities and Mental health needs – the Southside Partnership and Support for Living. Prior…
Aileen Edwards
Chief Executive, Second Step
Aileen has been the Chief Executive of Second Step for 16 years. Second Step is the leading provider of recovery-orientated support services and housing to more than 550 people with mental health and other related support needs across Bristol and the surrounding West of England area. Second Step also deliver psychological therapy services through IAPT…
Derek Caren
Chief Executive, Richmond Fellowship
Derek joined Richmond Fellowship as Chief Executive in August 2012. Richmond Fellowship is a specialist provider of high quality mental health services to the 9,000 people they support each year. Derek leads and directs the organisation to achieve this mission and corporate objectives within the legal and regulatory framework within which it operates. Derek is…
Mark Winstanley
Chief Executive, Rethink Mental Illness
Mark Winstanley has been Chief Executive of Rethink Mental Illness since September 2014, but has worked at the Charity for 30 years in various capacities from front-line service delivery to Director of Corporate Affairs. During his time with the Charity he has held a number of public appointments in health, education and criminal justice. These…
Rachel Peacock
Chief Executive, Making Space
Rachel joined Making Space as Executive Director of Development in 2013, bringing to the organisation her knowledge of small local and large national charities, and her experience as a commissioner and grant maker. Rachel was appointed as CEO of Making Space in 2017. Making Space is a national charity and leading provider of adult health…
Julie Layton
Chief Executive, Advance UK
Julie was appointed as Chief Executive of Advance in 2015, having worked for the organisation for a number of years as Director of Resources and Deputy Chief Executive. Advance provides housing, support and employment services to thousands of people with a disability and or mental health condition across England. Julie has also been a member…
Sarah Maguire
Chief Executive, Choice Support
Sarah has worked with people with learning disabilities and their families since the mid 80’s when she began supporting people to move out of long stay institutions back to their homes. Sarah began work as a supporter and then manager of services set up by the Tizard’s Special Development. This sparked her interest in teaching…
Linda Bryant
Chief Executive, Together for Mental Wellbeing
Linda was appointed Chief Executive of Together for Mental Wellbeing in May 2018. Linda first joined the organisation 16 years ago as a frontline Forensic Mental Health Practitioner and became Director of Criminal Justice Services at Together in 2014, joining our senior management team. She has a 25 year history of working in the voluntary and community…
Ashwin Mathews
Director, Centre for Better Health
Ashwin has been in post as Director of the Centre for Better Health (Formerly Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association Services) since 2010. He has led the organisation through a major change management programme to revitalise and better serve the needs of the local community. Part of this strategy has been the creation of innovative social enterprises to…
Margaret Hanson
Chief Executive, Imagine Independence
Margaret Hanson has worked in both the private and third sectors, spending the last 13 years working exclusively in the charity and health sectors. She is also a co-founder of ‘2025?, a coalition that aims to address health inequalities and to promote mental wellbeing.
Sarah Hughes
Chief Executive, Centre for Mental Health
Sarah is the CEO of Centre for Mental Health and has worked in mental health and criminal justice for 27 years. Having initially trained as a social worker, Sarah has managed a range of innovative community and secure services, most recently at Mind in Cambridgeshire. She also led the research and evaluation of the pioneering…
Steven Gilbert
Serious Mental Illness - Living Experience Consultant
Steve has extensive personal experiences of mental illness, including periods of depression, suicide attempts, and hospitalisation. He has a diagnosis of Bipolar Disorder and Complex PTSD- the result of psychological abuse in his early years through to adulthood. Steve is the regional Service User Representative for the Royal College of Psychiatry. Appointed to the West…
Steve Appleton
Managing Director, Contact Consulting
Steve Appleton is the Managing Director of Contact Consulting, a specialist consultancy and research practice working at the intersection of health, housing and social care. He originally qualified as a social worker and having undertaken a range of roles in local authorities, went on to work at a senior level in the NHS. His work…