New Trustees appointed at Norfolk and Waveney Mind

Nikki Gray. Nikki is a Non-Executive Director at the Norfolk & Norwich University Hospitals Foundation Trust, where she sits on the Hospital Charity Committee and chairs the Finance, Investments and Performance Committee.

Nikki qualified as a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young, before pursuing a career across the financial services and energy sectors, latterly as COO at an insurance start-up in Norwich.
She has been the Trustee Treasurer of the Norwich Puppet Theatre and until February 25, was a governor at City College Norwich, a role she held for eight years.  Nikki is particularly interested in the wellbeing of young people and the role education can play in achieving and maintaining good mental and physical health.

Nikki holds a Bachelor of Science degree from Birmingham University and is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales. 
 

Abeku Mensah, originally from Ghana, came to the UK as an international student, completing his first undergraduate degree in Biochemistry at The University of Southampton.

His passion for learning and caring for people led him to study Medicine at the University of East Anglia in Norwich. During his medical training, Abeku completed an elective rotation at Little Plumstead Hospital, which ignited his interest in working with individuals suffering from mental health issues, culminating in his specialisation in Psychiatry.

Outside of his professional commitments, Abeku enjoys singing and playing the keyboard. He is enthusiastic about providing support to Norfolk and Waveney Mind, as he believes in the diverse, extensive, and highly valuable work and services they offer in supporting others.

 

Alastair Roy retired early from a long career in management in the NHS and has been involved in the third sector for over a decade.  As a Chief Executive in the NHS for over 20 years, he managed mental health services and developed a special interest in public health, which informed his passion for tackling health and wellbeing inequalities including poverty.

He is the Chair of Age UK Norwich, and also brings experience from other local charities including Community Action Norfolk, Horizon Health and Break. Alastair has also supported councillors to maintain the standards expected in public life and brings lots of knowledge around governance as well as a passion about the voices and rights of older people.

Originally from Scotland, he has been in Norfolk for more than 50 years and is a longstanding supporter of Norwich City FC.



In all, our Board of Trustees now comprises: Nick Francis, Nikki Gray (Chair), Graham Goodwin, Chris Gribble, James Ingham, Namita Matkar, Abeku Mensah, Alastair Roy, Jules Steed and Janice Warford.

We would like to place on record our sincere thanks and appreciation to Nick Francis for his hard work in serving as our Interim Chair.