Rethink Mental Illness appoints Brian Dow as Chief Executive

Rethink Mental Illness has announced that Brian Dow has been appointed as its next Chief Executive. 

Brian will take up the role in April 2027, succeeding Mark Winstanley, who announced his retirement earlier this month after 40 years of service to the organisation. This follows a recruitment process that included an external search, led by the charity’s Board of Trustees.

Brian joined Rethink Mental Illness as Deputy Chief Executive in 2014 and has played a key role in the charity’s leadership over the last decade. He was instrumental in the founding of partner charity Mental Health UK in 2016 and has served as its Chief Executive since its launch.

After beginning his career as a broadcast journalist, Brian has spent more than 20 years in the voluntary sector across a range of organisations including Shelter, School Food Trust and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health. He is a former member of the NHS Assembly, co-chair of the National Suicide Prevention Alliance and has served on the Sustainability Committee for Lloyd’s of London. He represents Rethink Mental Illness on the Richmond Group, a collaboration of leading health and social care charities, and is also Chair of the Head On campaign, encompassing over 20 mental health charities.

As Chief Executive, Brian will lead Rethink as it delivers its Communities that Care strategy, provides vital services and support, and campaigns for change to improve the lives of people severely affected by mental illness.

Kathryn Tyson, Chair of Trustees, said:

“I’m delighted to confirm that Brian Dow has been appointed as our next Chief Executive. Brian brings extensive leadership experience, a deep understanding of the organisation and its work, together with a strong commitment to improving the lives of people severely affected by mental illness. Over the past 12 years he has played a pivotal role in the development of the charity, and the Board of Trustees is confident that he will build on these strong foundations as Rethink continues to deliver vital support, tackle discrimination and campaign for change.”

Sharing news of his appointment, Brian said:

“I’m very proud to be named as Chief Executive of Rethink Mental Illness. Over the past 12 years I’ve seen first-hand the difference this organisation makes in the lives of people severely affected by mental illness, and I’ve had the privilege of working alongside passionate colleagues, supporters and campaigners who are all committed to creating positive change.

“We know that there is still so much to do to improve the lives of people severely affected by mental illness. I look forward to building on our recent progress and leading the charity into its next chapter.”