Digital expert takes top role at mental health charity

Young people’s mental health charity Young Minds has appointed Laura Bunt, a senior executive director at digital transformation organisation Public Digital, to be its next chief executive.

She takes over from Emma Thomas who announced last year she was leaving after four years leading the charity to get “a different balance of work in my life”.

During her time at Young Minds, Thomas has steered the charity through a rise in young people’ s mental health concerns amid the Covid pandemic and oversaw a doubling of its staff and income.

Bunt’s previous roles have been deputy chief executive of alcohol, drugs and mental health charity With You. She has also worked at Citizen’s Advice and Nesta, and is a trustee at the Samaritans.

“I have long admired YoungMinds for the belief they have in young people to make change happen, both for themselves and for others,” said Bunt.

“The world feels stacked against young people at the moment, particularly young people growing up in poverty and all of those who benefit least from the status quo. We have to challenge this and create something different.

“I am excited to work alongside young people - and with others within and beyond our field - to bring about a future where all young people can feel hopeful, powerful and valued."

We're excited to announce that @laurabunt will be joining us as our new Chief Executive! Laura said “I am excited to work alongside young people to bring about a future where all young people can feel hopeful, powerful and valued.” Welcome Laura💛 https://t.co/dhssDKcyJl
— YoungMinds (@YoungMindsUK) February 14, 2023

Young Minds chair Caroline Hope added: “Young Minds has grown significantly in recent years, but the challenge young people face in getting support for their mental health has grown even more sharply.

We are absolutely delighted to have appointed Laura. We are confident that she has the vision, ambition and innovative thinking that will help our charity meet that growing need and give young people an ever-stronger voice in shaping the world they live in.