The trustees of Brecon & District Mind (BDM) are pleased to announce the appointment of Marie Davies as their new CEO.

Marie is replacing outgoing chief executive Val Walker who, after nine years of leading BDM through a period of successful change and growth, has decided to take a well-deserved retirement.

Val said: “As the retiring CEO, I would just like to say that I am very proud of what my team and I achieved over the last nine years. We have grown from a team of seven to 32 staff with a wide range of services to offer different options for people experiencing poor mental health.

“We are very much embedded in our local community and we work very closely with the three GP practices in our area to ensure that people are able to access support quickly and easily. Our services have developed to support new mums, dad’s and then the wider family as well as providing services for Children and Young People through working with the schools.

“Brecon Mind has been a fabulous place to work and although I am sad to leave it , I know I will be handing it over to someone who will ensure that it goes from strength to strength to meet the needs of our local community.

“I wish Marie Davies, the new CEO, all the very best for the future as she takes Brecon Mind on the next stage of its journey,” she added.

Marie will be taking over at a pivotal moment in the work of BDM and their mission to be “Here when you need us, to help you manage your mental health and wellbeing”.

There are real challenges ahead as the number of people reaching out to BDM has increased dramatically since the onset of Covid, and funding has become ever more difficult to find. However, BDM is well placed to meet these challenges under the new leadership of Marie supported by the senior management team.

Marie has over 18 years’ experience of working in the voluntary sector supporting people throughout Powys with Credu, the local organisation that supports Unpaid and Young Carers.

Marie said: “I am really excited to join the fantastic team at Brecon and District Mind in July.

“I am looking forward to meeting and working with everyone who cares about mental health to make a difference together.”

Brecon and District Mind has also announced a further appointment of Mark Duggan to the senior management team as the children, young persons and family services manager.

Mark said: “It is great to joining an established team that is such an recognised presence in the local community. I’m looking forward to working with the team and volunteers across all age groups to promote wellbeing and support across our community.”

Brecon and District Mind would like to remind the community that they are delivering face-to-face support across the majority of our services and would encourage anyone in need of support to give them a ring on 01874 611529 or email [email protected].

More information about all of their services is available on their website www.breconmind.org.uk.