Everyone deserves good mental health.
The Mental Health Foundation is the UK's leading charity focused on the prevention of poor mental health. For more than 75 years, we have combined research, policy, campaigning and public engagement to challenge the causes of poor mental health and drive lasting change.
Today, mental health outcomes across the UK are worsening, particularly for children and young people. While services remain focused on responding to crisis, we believe prevention must become the foundation of the UK's approach to mental health. Our new five-year strategy, ‘A Call to Act: Fighting for Prevention in Mental Health’ sets out an ambitious vision to achieve that change.
Why we are recruiting
After eight successful years, our current Chief Executive will be stepping down, creating an exciting opportunity for a new leader to guide the Foundation through its next phase of growth and impact.
The organisation enters this transition from a position of strength: a clear and ambitious strategy, a talented and committed team of around 70 staff across the UK, strong finances, a respected national profile, a supportive Board and committed Chair.
The opportunity
As Chief Executive, you will be the chief ambassador of the Foundation. You will lead the delivery of our new strategy, strengthen our influence with governments, policymakers and partners, and ensure we continue to grow our impact and income.
Working closely with the Board, a highly capable Senior Leadership Team, supporters and partners, you will champion prevention as the solution to the UK's mental health crisis, helping to shape policy, public understanding and systemic change across our priority areas:
Championing prevention: so that we can prevent mental health problems before they take root, tackling the causes instead of waiting to treat the symptoms.
Online worlds: so that people are protected from harm and are more mentally healthy in their online activity.
Bullying and discrimination: so that children and young people are protected from the life-long harms these can lead to.
Working lives: so that young people can thrive in mentally-healthy workplaces that support their wellbeing.
This is an opportunity to lead one of the UK's most respected charities and improve the lives of millions of people.
Who we are looking for
We are seeking an inspiring, values-driven leader with the credibility, ambition and vision to take the Foundation forward.
You will bring:
Significant senior leadership experience as a CEO, Executive Director or similar SLT role
A proven track record of leading organisational growth, impact and fundraising success
Outstanding communication and strategic partnership-building skills
Experience of engaging and influencing senior stakeholders, policymakers, funders and the media, to effect change
Strong strategic, financial and organisational leadership capability
A collaborative leadership style that empowers and develops others
A commitment to equity, inclusion and the Foundation's values
Knowledge of mental health, public health, prevention, related research, or campaigning would be highly advantageous, though we welcome applications from candidates with transferable leadership experience and relevant insights from closely adjacent or intersecting sectors.
Join us
This is a rare opportunity to lead a nationally respected organisation at a pivotal moment for mental health in the UK. If you are passionate about creating long-term social change and have the leadership skills to inspire people, influence systems and deliver impact at scale, we would love to hear from you.
To read more about the organisation and role, please download the full appointment brief.
Together, we can build a future where everyone can live with the good mental health they deserve.
Closing date: 16 August 2026
People Beyond Profit Conversations: 20 - 31 August 2026
Mental Health Foundation Interviews:
7 September 2026 (in-person)
14 September 2026 (in-inperson)
Chief Executive Officer • london, south east england, uk
Croydon: London's largest borough.London’s most important leadership role.We are a borough with immense assets: proud and vibrant communities, a dynamic economy, and the scale to shape London’s fut... Show more
Chief Revenue Officer: Production Software.Build a category-leading sales function in an industry that matters.The production and media industry is scaling fast.Behind every major film, TV show, an... Show more
The Barton Partnership is seeking a Chief of Staff to the CEO for a permanent, Central London role.The position supports the CEO and PE shareholder, ensuring priorities are translated into coordina... Show more
L&G Business Unit: Legal & General Group Functions.Permanent/Regular or Fixed Term Contract/Temporary: Permanent (UK and ROW) / Regular (US).The brand with the brolly is choosing today to change to... Show more
Mandarin Recruitment is seeking a Chief Operating Officer for a London-based wine & spirit company.The successful candidate will oversee sales management and marketing strategy implementation in li... Show more
Chief Operating Officer OtherPermanent# Chief Operating OfficerVerity Search LimitedVia RemoteOKPubliée il y a 5j## Description du posteFast grow UK subsidiary bank has begun the search for a new C... Show more
Coin Street was created through determination, collective action and a belief that neighbourhoods thrive when communities have real ownership and voice.For more than forty years, we have demonstrat... Show more
Direct message the job poster from Life Sciences Recruitment.Founder and Managing Director at Life Sciences Recruitment | Suffering Golfer.Job Description: Chief Executive Officer (CEO) - Biotech S... Show more
Bitcoin Asset Venture - Chief Executive Officer.Location: London, United Kingdom.This is a job posted by our partner Jooble.To read the full text, please click on the "Apply Now" link.MBA or releva... Show more
Fast grow UK subsidiary bank has begun the search for a new COO.Up to £200k base for perfect candidate.This is a pivotal executive leadership role for an experienced Chief Operating Officer who com... Show more
At Omnea, we’re reinventing how enterprise businesses operate, starting with the most painful parts:.Finance, Legal, Security, and IT.M from Khosla Ventures, Insight Partners,.Our AI-native platfor... Show more
Everyone deserves good mental health.The Mental Health Foundation is the UK's leading charity focused on the prevention of poor mental health.For more than 75 years, we have combined research, poli... Show more
A prominent charity organization in Greater London seeks a Chief Executive Officer.This vital leadership role focuses on ensuring the charity fulfills its mission while managing operations and stra... Show more
Trade Association Forum Ltd is looking for a Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead strategic initiatives, engage with key stakeholders, and generate diverse revenue streams.This role demands senior... Show more
At Omnea, we’re reinventing how enterprise businesses operate, starting with the most painful parts:.Finance, Legal, Security, and IT.M from Khosla Ventures, Insight Partners,.Our AI-native platfor... Show more
Croydon: London’s largest borough.London’s most important leadership role.We are a borough with immense assets: proud and vibrant communities, a dynamic economy, and the scale to shape London’s fut... Show more
Chief Executive – ChargeUK - London (with national engagement & travel) - £130,000-£150,000 + benefits.ChargeUK is the voice of the UK’s electric vehicle (EV) charging industry.Formed in April 2023... Show more
Be among the first 25 applicants.This range is provided by Membership Bespoke.Your actual pay will be based on your skills and experience — talk with your recruiter to learn more.Head of Operations... Show more
This is a start-up which can realistically change what is possible for software if we succeed and much of what we need to prove comes under the heading of engineering: scaling and innovating to tur... Show more
United Media in the Greater London area seeks ambitious individuals for its Chief of Staff program.This program aims to develop future CEOs through hands-on experience and direct mentorship from se... Show more
