Andrew Vale to step down as Managing Director of Mind Retail
Friday, 05 December 2025
Mind
Mind has announced that Andrew Vale, Managing Director of Mind Retail, will be stepping down after 15 years leading the charity’s retail operations.
Andrew joined Mind in 2010 and has overseen its retail network, which includes more than 170 shops across England and Wales. Under his leadership, Mind Retail has been a crucial source of income for the charity, contributing millions each year to its budget, helping to fund life changing mental health support and information and vital campaigning.
In the year 2024/25, Mind shops sold over 4.7 million items and diverted six million tonnes of goods from landfill. With thousands of volunteers and hundreds of staff, the charity’s retail network has also played a vital role in raising awareness of mental health and signposting people to support.
Reflecting on his time at Mind, Mr Vale said:
“What we have achieved in retail is a testament to the tireless efforts of our dedicated volunteers and staff, as well as our generous donors and customers. It has been a privilege to work with such committed colleagues and volunteers. Together, we’ve built a retail network that plays an important role in funding Mind’s life changing work and connecting with our communities. Mind shops are about more than selling clothes - we’ve built a network of local hubs that play a crucial role in people’s day to day lives. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved, grateful for the support that made it possible.”
Andrew brought experience from both commercial and charity retail sectors to the role, having held senior roles at Marks and Spencer, Birthdays, British Heart Foundation, and Age Concern England (now Age UK). He also served on the board of the Charity Retail Association.
After months of closures during the pandemic, in May 2021, Mind shops achieved their best-ever month in the charity’s retail history, raising £1.5 million in the first month after reopening post-coronavirus lockdown.
Andrew brought experience from both commercial and charity retail sectors to the role, having held senior roles at Marks and Spencer, Birthdays, British Heart Foundation, and Age Concern England (now Age UK). He also served on the board of the Charity Retail Association.
After months of closures during the pandemic, in May 2021, Mind shops achieved their best-ever month in the charity’s retail history, raising £1.5 million in the first month after reopening post-coronavirus lockdown.
Dr Sarah Hughes, Chief Executive of Mind, said:
“Andrew has made such a significant contribution to Mind’s retail operations over the past 15 years. I feel so proud of what our network of shops mean to people across England and Wales, and for the role they continue to play in Mind being able to deliver life changing support and advice. I want to thank Andrew for his leadership, on behalf of Mind and the 1 in 4 of us who experience a mental health problem each year, and to wish him well for the future.”
