Our trustees
Our Board of Trustees brings together a diverse and rich range of people united by a shared commitment to helping people affected by mental illness live longer, safer and better lives. Many have their own powerful lived experience, either personally or through supporting loved ones, some also contribute professional expertise from mental health and public service backgrounds.
Together, they guide our strategy, uphold our values and ensure we remain focused on our purpose. As volunteers, they give their time, insight and leadership to help shape our charity's work and strengthen the impact we make every day.
Kathryn Tyson
Chair
"I am immensely proud of Rethink and the work it does to improve people's lives. I am happy to be able to contribute towards directing and shaping its strategy and operations."
Aphra Tulip-Briggs
Vice-chair
"Rethink heard me when I was at my most ill and helped me share my voice. It's the most passionate organisation I have ever met. Everyone is dedicated to giving a better life for those who live with severe mental illness and hearing from those who know it best."
Raj Sheth
Vice-Chair
Raj was appointed as a co-opted Trustee to the Board in May 2022, with specific experience in Strategic ICT. He has pursued a career in technology for over 35 years working in the public sector, private sector and at a technology start-up. He started his career as a software developer and has held a variety of roles ranging from hands-on coder to head of department. Most recently Raj was Chief Executive at Pirum Systems where he led the business through significant growth and expansion and remains as non-executive President.
John Liver
Treasurer
"Rethink does brilliant and vital work to help people severely affected by mental illness, providing individual care and advice and fighting to improve national systems. It's a huge privilege to be able to support the team with their passion and commitment to supporting some of the most vulnerable people in society."
Edward Gorringe
Edward Is a member of the Yorkshire and North East Regional Committee and became a trustee in 2021. He has a long interest in mental health and was Chief Executive of MindWise New Vision in Northern Ireland prior to relocating to the North East in 2018. Edward is committed to raising awareness of mental health and ensuring the provision of excellent services, this is underpinned by his personal experiences as the carer of a family member with severe and enduring mental illness.
Ian Jackson
Ian has worked in the NHS for over 15 years and has been redeployed to be the London Critical Care Programme Director through the COVID-19 outbreak. Substantively he is the Contract Delivery Director for Specialised Commissioning at NHS England (London), which involves overseeing high cost low volume treatments with all NHS trusts in the Capital. Ian has a particular interest in the treatment and prevention of HIV and reducing the stigma that surrounds the illness and is part of the Fast Track Cities Initiative Leadership Group for HIV in London. He also prioritises diversity in the workplace and is working to implement the Workforce Race Equality Standard within the NHS.
Christine Stead
Christine is a member of the East Midlands Regional Committee. She approached Rethink in 2017 in order to set up a Carers Support Group in the East Northants Area, after becoming a carer to a relative with a severe and enduring mental illness. Christine has worked with the Carers Support Group and the East Midlands RC to raise awareness of Rethink Mental Illness and its work. Christine is a retired administrator and has spent time as a volunteer with organisations encountered whilst working and raising a family.
Ros Homan
"It’s a huge privilege to work with Rethink, a charity very close to my heart. I’m proud to bring my lived experience to Rethink’s critical mission: making a real difference in a way that’s inclusive, and puts the whole person front and centre of supporting everyone severely affected by mental illness."
Jo Frost-Bryant
“Rethink matters to me because it’s there for people at their most vulnerable, offering understanding, support and hope. I feel very honoured to play a small part in an organisation that truly listens and works to make life better for people living with severe mental illness.”
Jaz Nannar
"Severe mental illness is something that’s so difficult for the individuals and families affected. It’s misunderstood, exhausting and hard to see a way through. Rethink takes both a strategic approach to the issues and, at the same time, a deeply human one. It's why I joined the charity."
Zoe Swithenbank
Zoe joined the board as Regional Trustee for the North West in September 2025. She has been a member of Rethink for many years, having volunteered as a local support group coordinator and serving on the Lived Experience Advisory Board since 2017. Zoe’s lived experience has driven her passion for the inclusion and meaningful involvement of people with lived experience in mental health treatment and research. She graduated with a PhD in Public Health in 2024 and currently works at Lancaster University in the Division of Health Research. Her research focuses on mental health, substance use and addressing health inequalities.
Ranjit Thaliwal
Ranjit Thaliwal joined Rethink as a Co-Opted Trustee in September 2025. He is a specialist mental health lawyer with 32 years’ experience in the sector representing those who are detained under the Mental Health Act in psychiatric units in the Midlands. Alongside his legal work Ranjit has been involved in the charitable sector both in the UK and abroad and has worked with a number of national mental health organisations over the years including hosting an annual mental health event, now in its 12th year, to raise awareness of mental health issues which supports local charities in the Midlands. He is a Past President of the Leicestershire Law Society and past Vice Chair of the Midlands Asian Lawyers Association.
Sara Thakkar
"What makes Rethink so important to me is the belief that nobody should face mental illness alone. As a trustee, I see the impact that compassion, advocacy and practical support can have on individuals and their families. Knowing that our work helps people feel understood, empowered and hopeful for the future is what motivates me and makes me feel proud to be involved and play my part."
Committees and Advisory Boards
To support the Board in its work, we have four national committees, each with its own role. We also have three governance link groups, including our Lived Experience Advisory Board (LEAB) and our Carers Advisory Board (CAB), which bring together more of our members who want to help shape the charity's work at a national level.