YoungMinds Chief Executive to step down

Topic: YoungMinds updates

Youth mental health charity YoungMinds has announced their Chief Executive, Laura Bunt, will be stepping down this spring.

The charity has appointed Abigail Ampofo to be Interim Chief Executive for a year whilst they transition into new leadership.

Laura has spent the last two years leading the organisation through a significant period of change, including rebranding the charity and designing a new strategy that is fit for the future.

It has been an absolute privilege to lead YoungMinds towards our vision that no young person is alone with their mental health. It’s been a time of transition for us in a challenging context, with so much opportunity ahead. I am so proud of my amazing colleagues, the incredible young people in our community and everything we achieved together - showing that a better future for young people isn’t only necessary, but possible.

I know YoungMinds remains in capable hands with an excellent Board of Trustees, Youth Panel, Senior Leadership team and with Abigail's extensive experience. I will miss everyone enormously and can’t wait to see what’s next for you.

We are all sad to see Laura leave YoungMinds. It has been an absolute joy and pleasure to work with her over the last two years, during particularly challenging times for us and the wider sector. I know that she will go onto great things when she has taken some time for herself, and I know everyone at YoungMinds wishes her all the best of luck. We look forward now to welcoming Abigail Ampofo as our Interim Chief Executive, who has a wealth of experience that YoungMinds will see the benefit of. Abigail will be starting in May and will lead the charity for a period of a year to ensure we have enough time to recruit for Laura’s permanent replacement.

Caroline Hope, Chair of the Board of Trustees at YoungMinds
I have long admired YoungMinds as a charity that makes a real difference to young people’s lives. The organisation has such a dedicated team of staff that live up to the values of the organisation. I wish Laura all the very best and look forward to continuing to lead the charity through a period of transition to ensure we deliver for young people and their mental health.

Abigail Ampofo, Interim Chief Executive at YoungMinds