BHT has appointed a new Director of Support Services in preparation for its merger with Sussex Oakleaf in April.
Rachael Kenny is currently the Head of Participation at the Sussex Partnership Foundation NHS Trust, having had an 18 year career within the NHS. A social worker by training, Rachael also has five years experience working in the voluntary sector, including in homelessness services.
Rachael will be joining a strong and experienced management team at BHT which is currently made up of: Director of Advice and Support Services, Nikki Homewood; Director of Housing and Property Services, David Chaffey; Director of Finance and Resources, Sunil Desai; and Chief Executive, Andy Winter.
Andy Winter said:
I am delighted that Rachael will be joining us. She brings a huge amount of experience and a range of knowledge of the mental health world to add to the strengths that already exist within Sussex Oakleaf and BHT. With her experience and background, she will strengthen an already strong management team.
With the merger with Sussex Oakleaf, the range of our combined mental health service provision will have the potential to grow significantly. I am encouraged that we will have someone of Rachael’s calibre to lead this work as well as being a strategic lead for the merged organisation in areas including West Sussex.
The creation of this post attracted much interest and an exceptionally strong field of candidates. Candidates were put through a gruelling round of interviews and the top three were invited back for a second interview. Rachael was the unanimous choice of the final selection panel that included those with lived experience, members of the BHT Board and me.
Rachael Kenny said:
l am very pleased to be joining BHT at this exciting time and look forward to working with clients, staff and Board members from Sussex Oakleaf and BHT to make the most of the opportunities offered by the merger of the two organisations.
