Mind welcomes new trustees and Chair of Race Equality Advisory Board

Mental health charity Mind is pleased to announce five trustees are joining their board from December 2020 and that former trustee Richard Addy will be Chairing Mind’s Race Equality Advisory Board.

Following an extensive recruitment process, including an election by members, mental health charity Mind is pleased to welcome five trustees to the Board.

• Steve Gilbert OBE is an experienced Serious Mental Illness Living Experience Consultant, and former vice-chair of the Independent Review of the Mental Health act. He was awarded an OBE for services to Mental Health. He has been elected by Mind members to serve a second term as trustee.
• Dr Shubulade Smith CBE is an experienced consultant psychiatrist at the South London and Maudsley NHS foundation trust and Clinical Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry. She was awarded Psychiatrist of the Year at the Royal College of Psychiatrists Awards in 2019 and a CBE for services to forensic psychiatric intensive care. She has been co-opted* by the Board to serve her first term as trustee.
• Mandeep Rupra is a race equity specialist and current Head of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion at Citizens Advice Bureau. She has been co-opted by the Board to serve her first term as trustee.
• Pippa Glucklich has extensive experience in advertising, digital and communications. She was formerly CEO of Starcom and Amplifi UK. She has been elected by Mind’s members to serve her first term as trustee.
• Valerie Harrison has enjoyed a long career in the NHS, including as CEO of an NHS community and mental health trust and an acute trust. She was formerly chair of Mind in Barnet and former vice-chair of Mind. She has been elected by Mind’s members to serve a second term as trustee.

During a year that has seen a global pandemic and the resurgence of the Black Lives Matter movement following the tragic deaths of George Floyd and many others, the very evident disparities in equality and justice have made us reflect on how racism manifests in our organisation and what Mind can do to create genuine and lasting change.

Research demonstrates that coronavirus has negatively impacted the mental health of people from racial minority backgrounds. A recent survey by Mind showed that the pandemic has also disproportionately widened the inequalities people experience across social issues that affect our mental health such as benefits, housing, employment and finances.

To make sure we are there for everyone with a mental health problem, a key strategic priority for Mind is to become an anti-racist organisation. This means better recognising and helping tackle the many inequities and injustices facing people from Black, Asian and racial minority groups, particularly when it comes to accessing and benefitting from mental health services.

The Race Equality in Mind Initiative aims to develop and implement a clear plan to challenge and eliminate the explicit and implicit ways in which a default racial bias operates within Mind and the way it works. Mind is also pleased to announce that former Mind trustee, Richard Addy, will be Chairing Mind’s Race Equality Advisory Board. Having served as a trustee for nine years and with an extensive background in audience strategy, Richard brings a wealth of personal and professional expertise to this important role.

Incoming Chair of Mind’s Race Equality Advisory Board, Richard Addy, says:

“It has been a privilege to support Mind as a trustee for the past nine years, and an honour to be asked to lead on such an essential initiative. Mind’s vision is a society where everyone experiencing a mental health problem gets support and respect. To deliver this vision we must become an anti-racist organisation that meets the needs of people from different ethnic minority groups who are currently being underserved. It is a critical task and one Mind is committed to fully through the deep hard work of listening, learning and acting.”

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind, says:

“This is a hugely important time for many charities, and the leadership and support given by Trustees shapes Mind’s work now and in the future. Our five new trustees strengthen Mind’s commitment to diversity and tackling inequalities at all levels as we enter a new strategic phase.

“I’m delighted that Richard Addy will be leading Mind’s Race Equality Initiative. Richard brings personal, professional and governance expertise to supporting our key strategic ambition to be an anti-racist organisation.”

Stevie Spring, Chairman of Mind, says:

“Richard’s been a fantastic member of the Board. I have valued his support enormously and his insights have made an impact right across Mind. I'm thrilled that he's staying to lead on such a critical initiative.

“I'm also delighted to welcome our new trustees, who join us during this unprecedented period - in the grip of a mental health emergency. Their passion, expertise and challenge will be important - strengthening our ability to become a proudly anti-racist organisation as we navigate these challenges.”

* A co-opted trustee is selected to join the Board by Mind’s trustees, as opposed to via election by Mind’s members.

For full biographies visit our trustee page.