Mind BLMK is governed by a Board of Trustees who also act as company directors – this is because Mind BLMK is both a charity and a company.
The Board is responsible for ensuring that Mind BLMK operates legally, within its aims and objectives and in an ethical and sustainable manner. They set the direction and strategy for the organisation and oversee the Chief Executive to ensure that the goals set are achieved.
The Board works to the Charity Commission guidelines on good governance and maintains high standards across its work. Board members are elected annually at the Annual General Meeting and bring specific, specialist skills to the organisation.
Our current Trustees can be seen below.
Simon is the Chair of Mind BLMK’s board of trustees. He spent 25 years in investment banking in a wide variety of roles, encompassing corporate banking, aircraft financing, strategic development, performance management, M&A, and leveraged finance, including acting as Chief Operating Officer during the development of a business in Paris and then establishing and running a highly successful leveraged finance platform in New York.
In 2010, he joined Berendsen plc, then Europe’s leading B2B textile services business, as Director, Group Corporate Development, reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. His role was to support the executive management team and the board to develop Berendsen’s business, particularly in the area of acquisitions and divestments, and to help in the execution of the strategic plan.
Since leaving Berendsen in 2015 Simon has been a management consultant, using his market knowledge and contacts to provide unique insights into the textile services and related markets in the UK, Europe and the US. Clients include market players, those considering investing in the sector together with leading global management consultancy firms looking for an informed viewpoint.
In his spare time Simon enjoys running, cinema and travel.
Helen Donovan was appointed as a Trustee in 2018. She is a Consultant Clinical Psychologist who has worked in NHS mental health services in Bedfordshire and Luton since emigrating from Australia to the UK in 2002. As a senior clinician, Helen has developed and led teams and services across NHS, private and third sector settings. She is also trained in quality improvement and has particular interests in pathway review and redesign, co-production with service users, and workforce wellbeing. Helen sits on the Workforce and Health & Safety Committees.
Drew is a culture, wellbeing, inclusion and communications specialist, having worked in HR and marketing functions in the financial and professional services sector. Currently, Drew leads Forvis Mazars’ Inclusion, Engagement and Performance team.
Drew previously worked for Santander UK as Head of Inclusion, Belonging and Wellbeing, where he helped to launch and chair the organisation’s Mental Wellbeing Network, raising awareness of support and equipping people with the tools to develop positive mental wellbeing. In his spare time, Drew enjoys sport, following politics and listening to podcasts. He has also previously worked with Mind BLMK as a Mentor, Ambassador and Fundraiser.
Hannah is a Director of Transformation at Vontier, where she leads efforts to transform organisational culture and implement innovative solutions to solve business problems. With a strong background in operational leadership roles, she has extensive experience in executing strategic goals and fostering continuous improvement across all functions of an organisation. Having personally experienced mental health challenges and supporting loved ones through their own journeys, Hannah is passionate about using her professional expertise to support Mind BLMK, its employees and the wider community.
Kevin was appointed Trustee in December 2022 and chairman of the Business Development and Finance Committee. Kevin has 30 years experience in senior finance roles in professional practice and public company finance, including healthcare businesses, serving as both Audit Partner and Chief Financial Officer. Kevin is Chairman of Marlowe plc, a leader in business-critical and regulatory assurance services, including occupational health. Kevin is a qualified accountant with a degree in modern languages, which has helped him work extensively overseas.
Lesley is a chartered occupational psychologist and Fellow of the Institute of Personnel & Development, having worked at HR Director level shaping strategy, implementing policy and managing change. With a keen interest in mindfulness-based coaching and positive psychology practices, she first became involved with MIND BLMK as a volunteer trainer supporting wellbeing initiatives for the Leighton Buzzard Centre. Lesley is a member of the Workforce and Health & Safety Committees.
Alex came to the UK in 2001 as a volunteer worker at Camphill Communities in Milton Keynes on a gap year from his Engineering degree.
His drive, energy, and commitment to succeed helped him move forward in his career to become a Business Development Manager, with 20 years of experience in the Hospitality Industry. He currently works at Greene King where he oversees the operation of 14 Restaurants and 2 Hotels.
Having had first-hand experiences with Mental Health issues in his family, he has also become a Mental Health First Aider, to support more people.
As a Trustee at Mind BLMK he hopes to be able to offer his professional skills and life experiences to better the lives of many people locally that suffer and live with Mental Health issues.
Sara’s professional background was as a Clinical Psychologist. Over a 35 year NHS career she worked in various locations providing, developing and leading psychology services across a range of mental health services. Central to this was working with service users and colleagues to improve services so that they were forward looking and really took account of the experiences and views of people with mental health difficulties, as well as being informed by research evidence of what leads to good outcomes. Sara has also worked with the Care Quality Commission as a professional advisor on Mental Health Service inspections and with the Health and Care Professions Council as a panel member deciding on Fitness to Practice cases and Registration Appeals. Now retired, Sara enjoys volunteering as a Academy School Governor where she co-leads governor responsibilities for Safeguarding, Staff and Student Wellbeing, Disadvantaged Students and Looked After Children.
With a career rich in business experience, Paula successfully gained an accounting qualification and MBA whilst working in audit and accounting at Pricewaterhouse Coopers. Reaching Director level, she was responsible for leading public sector financial audits and business development. Paula has also worked for a not-for-profit renewable energy organisation as a non-executive director, and has extensive experience within the areas of strategy, funding, HR, legislation and information technology. Paula’s more recent position of business and finance tutor at the Open University provided an opportunity for her to work with students of all ages and backgrounds who were experiencing mental health difficulties. Igniting a passion for community mental health work, Paula has since worked diligently to become a qualified Integrative Counsellor and is keen to use the combination of skills she has gained over the years to offer support as a trustee, to Mind BLMK and its community.
MindLine Trans+ is a confidential mental health support helpline for people who identify as trans, A gender, gender fluid, or non-binary.
Side by Side is a supportive online community where you can talk about your mental health and connect with others who understand what you are going through.
Find out more
Information and advice on a huge range of mental health topics from the national Mind website.
