MHFA England appoints five new non-executive directors



Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England has announced the appointment of five new non-executive directors (NEDs). They will join the Board on 6 October, following the recent appointment of the company’s new Chair, Adah Parris on 15 September.

The five successful individuals have been drawn from a range of sectors including investment banking, infrastructure, sport, communications and charity.   

Appointed to provide governance and business expertise to MHFA England’s Executive Board the new non-executive Board members are:
  • Charlotte Goodrich, Chief Operating Officer, National Infrastructure Commission
  • Andy Ward, VP, Operational Lead UKI/EMEA, Corporate Bank People Strategy, Deutsche Bank
  • Sandi Wassmer, Consultant
  • Karim Virani, Chief Commercial Officer, West Ham United Football Club
  • Tom Berry, Chairman, Chameleon. 

MHFA England’s NED recruitment process, attracted over 80 high calibre applicants interested in supporting the Board’s vision to improve the mental health of the nation, through its strategic focus on workplace mental health. 

Simon Blake, Chief Executive, MHFA England says:

“I am delighted to welcome Charlotte, Andy, Sandi, Karim and Tom, our new non-executive directors, to the MHFA England Board.  Each bring a wealth of experience, insight and knowledge that I know will be invaluable to supporting us move forward with our vision and mission, particularly as we face into the challenges and opportunities resulting from a global pandemic.  

“Throughout the pandemic we have remained resolute in our commitment to supporting organisations who are prioritising employee mental health but we recognise that we are moving into unchartered territory and this will require us to be more informed and focused than ever before. I am confident that our new NEDs will guide and support us on the next stage of our journey and play a key role in helping us achieve our mission to train one in ten people in mental health knowledge and skills.”

Adah Parris, Chair, MHFA England added:

“I am very much looking forward to working with the newly appointed non-executive directors and believe that MHFA England will benefit hugely from the extensive and diverse experience that makes up this new Board. I am looking forward to learning from their collective wisdom.”

“I would like to thank everyone who took the time to apply for a NED position, we had an incredible pool of people to choose from and the final decision was a hard one. I hope that those who applied remain our allies and will remain passionate with their support of MHFA England and mental health advocacy.”

To find out more about MHFA England visit mhfaengland.org/mhfa-centre/about/who-we-are/non-executive-directors.