Health and wellbeing group appoints new CEO

Birmingham-based health and wellbeing group BHSF has announced the appointment of Heidi Stewart as group chief executive.

Stewart brings more than 20 years ' experience of leadership in some of the UK 's largest private companies and charities, operating across mental health, housing, employment, justice, and social care.

Her career demonstrates a passion for people through her work with Rethink Mental Illness, Remploy and Salutem Care and Education, but also a desire to champion - having set up the Whitehall Customer Insight Forum to bring government departments together to commission customer insight research.

She has additionally worked with central government, as a member of the Women 's Mental Health Taskforce advising on new models of care for women and girls experiencing mental health issues.

She was also a trustee at the Big Issue for many years and continues to volunteer for homeless charities when she can.

Stewart joins BHSF at a time of growth and opportunity, leading the drive to increase awareness and understanding of BHSF 's products, to ensure that more employees across the UK have easy access to the very best mental health and wellbeing support.

BHSF chair, Sara Fowler, said, “I am confident that under Heidi 's leadership and with her passion and enthusiasm, we will continue to make a real difference to the individuals and workplaces we reach.

“I am also extremely grateful to our outgoing colleague Ian Galer for his immense contribution in leading BHSF through the challenging times of the last year, and putting us in a great position to reap the benefits of the transformational change BHSF has gone through over the last two years. We all wish him well for his forthcoming retirement. ”

Stewart (pictured) said: “I am thrilled to be joining BHSF and excited to build on the great work that Ian and the rest of the team have done so far.

“Coming out of lockdown presents huge opportunities for BHSF to grow by supporting more individuals with their physical, mental and financial health. ”