Philippa Mariani

Philippa brings to the Board an extensive career spanning mental health, social care, social work education and supported housing, combining deep operational expertise with strategic leadership at both local and national level.

She recently retired as Chief Executive of Think Ahead, the unique national mental health social work charity, where she advocated for investment in the mental health workforce and championed social approaches to mental health care and treatment. Prior to this, she led community-based mental health services at Mind in Croydon, Sussex Oakleaf Housing Association and Independent Lives.

Throughout her career, Philippa has focused on person-centred, community-led responses to mental health and housing, pioneering integrated models that bring together VCSE, NHS, local authority and community partners in Sussex and South London, and has contributed to service transformation and development as a former member of the South West London Mental Health Transformation Board and the West Sussex Health and Wellbeing Board. She has a particular commitment to lived experience in service design, and equity, diversity and inclusion. 

Philippa sits on the Board and is a member of the Finance, Audit and Risk Committee at Sussex Housing and Care; and is a former Chair and Trustee at Sussex Nightstop, the community response to youth homelessness in Brighton and Hove.

She is currently a Head Judge for the National Lived Experience Awards Social Care Star Award.