John is a leadership coach and independent consultant working in the health and care sector. He previously worked in the NHS running hospitals, community services and commissioning organisations, and leading a number of national programmes. He has a particular interest in partnership working; ensuring that different organisations work together to provide excellent, integrated services for the people they serve. In addition to his role with Solent Mind, John is also a Vice Chair of national Mind, and chairs their Network Committee.

“I know the impact that mental ill-health can have, from my professional life, but also from personal experience. I greatly enjoy working with colleagues in Solent Mind to help make a positive difference to people with mental health issues. I really like the way that Solent Mind uses the skills and insights of people with experience of mental ill-health to deliver services and provide practical support, and how it works with other organisations to deliver a personalised, integrated service”

Robin was born in Southampton and lived in Hampshire until leaving university. He then worked as an accountant in local government for many years within West Yorkshire, with the last two roles as Chief Accountant in Calderdale then Kirklees Councils.

After moving to Birmingham he worked in the Charity Sector including as Finance Director at Birmingham Mind.

After moving back to Hampshire, he is now using his financial skills and experience in volunteer and trustee roles across a number of charities in Winchester, Hampshire and beyond, including our social enterprise project, Mayfield Nurseries. 

Richard has over 35 years’ experience in commercial property having qualified as a Chartered Surveyor in 1982. He was a founding Director of Palmer Fry Commercial Property Consultants, leading a management buy-out of a business from Royal Insurance. He was Finance Director and Lead Director of the business, involved with the acquisition of four businesses and the eventual merger of the business with the larger Goadsby & Harding Group in 2005 where he was Director of Investments.

He has run his own commercial property consultancy, Pullen Associates for over 10 years, which specialises in providing regional consultancy and agency services to pension funds, property companies, private individuals and occupying businesses. For about 10 years until 2020, he was a trustee of Mayfield Nurseries, during which time he was Chair of the Trustees.

Polly has over 20 years’ experience working in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors in a range of human resources, project management and consultancy roles. She gained her MA in Human Resources Management in 2000 and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (FCIPD).

Polly has been a school governor for over 15 years, holding a variety of roles at two large London primary schools. This included a number of years as Chair during which time she worked in partnership with the head teacher, governors and local authority to secure funding and establish a Children’s Centre at the school for the benefit of the school and wider community.

Following a family member’s serious accident, Polly understands that often it’s the psychological that is more difficult to diagnose and can take longer to heal than any physical pain or injury. She has been an advocate for getting the right support and treatment for people in both social care and health settings during this time.

Polly lives in the New Forest and runs when she can to look after her own mental health and wellbeing.

Haseeb is a Senior Commercial Manager currently working for NATS. He grew up in the Greater Manchester area, before studying Aerospace Engineering at Sheffield University. Since leaving university Haseeb has worked for several companies in the Aerospace & Engineering industry with a primary focus on business development and competitive tendering processes. 

He takes a keen interest in mental health issues with personal experience of the impact it can have on lives. Haseeb is pleased to be given the opportunity to support Solent Mind as a trustee and is looking forward to working with colleagues to help raise awareness and make a positive impact on people living with mental health issues. Haseeb now lives in Whiteley with his wife and 2 young children.

Gary is a Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA, CGMA) and Head of Audit (CIA, PIIA) operating in a global role within the Financial Services industry. He has over 15 years of extensive experience in areas of Finance, Risk Management, Internal Audit and wider governance practices across a global commercial organization. 

Gary is a strong supporter of mental health awareness and has seen first-hand the impact that mental health difficulties can have on people. He is keen to contribute to Solent Mind in driving community wide access to mental health advice and services for everybody's benefit. He is particularly interested in ensuring that mental health is discussed openly at a young age to better educate and drive understanding to the benefit of future generations.

Emily has an array of experience across industries including Pharmaceutical, Engineering and the NHS. She is a highly practised Programme Manager and Clinical Operations professional having provided leadership to global teams within technically complex environments over the last 18 years.

She is also a change management practitioner and personal development coach with an enthusiastic energy for championing positive change within organisations and individuals.

"Currently I am leading the delivery of population health management practices within the Dorset Integrated Care System, an emerging technique for local health and care partnerships to use data to design new models of proactive care and deliver improvements in health and wellbeing which make best use of collective resources. I am enthusiastic about improving population health and wellbeing through the promotion of good health, prevention of poor health and the personalisation of care and support that is available. I am passionate about ensuring that mental wellbeing is regarded with equal importance to physical wellbeing. This passion is driven from both personal experience and from experiences of friends, family and work colleagues."

Gareth has been a Police Officer for 28 years, starting his career with Hampshire Constabulary. He has worked in various roles as a detective and witnessed the impact mental health and wellbeing has within the emergency services and criminal justice system. 15 years ago, Gareth transferred to national organisations; the National Crime Squad, Serious Organised Crime Agency and the National Crime Agency (NCA). 

Gareth is currently a Branch Commander for CEOP (Child Exploitation and Online Protection). CEOP is the UK's lead organisation dedicated to tackling child sexual abuse and exploitation. Gareth has always been a strong advocate for the awareness of mental health and is honoured to support Solent Mind.

Sarah is a passionate HR professional with a broad wealth of knowledge and experience at operational and strategic level across diverse and complex organisations including SMEs, head offices, the private/public sector and not for profit. Prior to working in HR, she was a successful Manager within a large global financial services organisation.

Sarah recognises the huge impact mental health issues can have on individuals in day-to-day life, including the workplace. These issues are sometimes misunderstood and difficult to talk about, which can lead to problems at work.

As such, she is passionate in ensuring businesses recognise the importance of including employee wellbeing in an effective people strategy, encouraging businesses to build an awareness and understanding of mental health and offering appropriate support and interventions.

Nichola is a Solicitor in Eastleigh, specialising in commercial litigation and professional negligence. She grew up in Hampshire, and has volunteered with a number of local charities to raise money and awareness. Nichola also spent some time volunteering in Winchester Prison prior to training as a solicitor. 

Nichola enjoys a variety of fitness and exercise which is an important part of her routine to benefit her mental health and to de-stress, and likes to take part in different sporting challenges. Nichola is committed to using both her professional and personal skills and experience to provide a positive impact within Solent Mind.