Alan joined our mental health charity as a front-line volunteer in 2011. He then went on to become a member of our Co-production Team, before subsequently joining the Board of Trustees in 2019 and becoming Chair in 2020.

“During this time, I have been so impressed by the stream of innovation across our services and by the strength of contribution and commitment by CPSL Mind leadership, staff and volunteers,” says Alan. “I have learned so much about people and organisations and am so grateful that I have had the chance to contribute as I have.  I wish CPSL Mind – those who use its services, its staff, volunteers and trustees – all best wishes for the next phase and will follow with great interest.”

Alan, a former Pro-Vice Chancellor at the Open University, brought a wide range of skills to CPSL Mind, which have supported the organisation during a period of considerable growth both in terms of reach and impact.

“Alan has played a key role in steering the strategic direction of CPSL Mind over the past three years and has been a great source of wisdom, objectivity and compassion for me and our wider Senior Leadership Team,” says CEO Aly Anderson. “He will be greatly missed.”

We will be recruiting to the Chair role early in 2024, with experienced Vice-Chair Andréa Grosbois stepping in as Interim Chair until the recruitment is complete. Andréa has been a Trustee at CPSL Mind for the past six years and Vice-Chair for three years. She previously took on the role of Interim Chair in 2020 leading the organisation through the early stages of the Covid pandemic period.

“We will all miss Alan’s knowledge and experience greatly and wish him the very best for his well-deserved retirement,” says Andréa. “We want to give the time and resources necessary to finding the next Chair, who will lead CPSL Mind through the next chapter in our development, and it is my privilege to step in as Interim Chair until we do.”

To find out more about the Chair role at CPSL Mind, please contact Kayleigh Paske – Kayleigh.paske@cpslmind.org.uk