Paul Rees joined the Royal College of Psychiatrists as Chief Executive in November 2016, from the Royal College of GPs – where he was Executive Director of Policy and Engagement.

Working closely with the RCPsych Honorary Officers, Paul has led the modernisation of the RCPsych – leading to the transformation of College IT, stronger membership communication, more effective stakeholder engagement and a dynamic employee relations strategy.

In collaboration with the College Officers, Paul led the introduction of a values-based approach to the way the organisation works with both its members and staff team – based on the organisational values of Courage, Innovation, Respect, Collaboration, Learning and Excellence, which were introduced in 2018.

Among other things, this new approach saw the College celebrate Pride and Black History Month for the first time ever in 2019, and International Women’s Day for the first time in 2020.

The values-based approach led to the College being awarded Charity of the Year in the European Diversity Awards in 2019. In 2020, Paul was shortlisted for the Louis Armstrong CEO Leadership Award in the Memcom Awards.

Paul began his career as a journalist working at the Times, Sunday Telegraph and BBC national network news.

A move into communications saw him co-lead the successful right to roam campaign as Head of Communications at the Ramblers Association, which led to the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000.

Later, as Head of Campaigns and Communications at the National Housing Federation, Paul managed the campaign which brought about an end to the pre-payment meter tariff charged by the 'Big Six' energy companies to low income households for gas and electricity – saving £100m a year for less affluent families.

As Director of Communications at the Charities Aid Foundation, he ran an award-winning campaign in 2012 that successfully persuaded the Chancellor to drop his proposed 'charity tax' on large donations, a tax that would have cost the charity sector £500m per year.

In other roles, Paul worked as Director of Communications on the Victoria Climbié and Zahid Mubarek public inquiries, and held the post of Head of Communications at the Home Office.

As Director of Communications at the Association of University Teachers he co-led a successful, national campaign to protect the pay and conditions of university lecturers.

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LinkedIn: paul-rees-46629569

John is a leadership development professional who has been coaching and developing senior organisational leaders since 1994. 

John has a depth of experience working with Chief Executives, Board Members and Senior Executives from many different cultures and organisational backgrounds.  He has delivered leadership development training and 1-2-1 coaching to leaders across public, corporate and voluntary sectors in Europe, North America and Asia.   

Much of John’s work is working with organisations such as the Royal College of Psychiatrists who are inspired to explore the role that values and leadership development play in developing engaging cultures and releasing individual and organisational potential.  

John is Trustee of WYSE International, an international leadership NGO that identifies and supports emerging leaders around the world and supports them to create change in their communities. John is also a Trustee of the Bewdley Arts Festival.

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Website: http://www.valuesbasedleadership.co.uk/
LinkedIn: /johnfrostvbl

With a career spanning 25 years, Linda has worked in roles across learning and development, organisational development, recruitment and as a generalist. Working across sectors spanning retail at GAP, Natwest Retail Bank, National Audit Office and finally at Royal College of Physicians where she has been in post for 16 years, affords Linda a unique insight into a range of sectors.

A combined approach of people centred HR as well as commercial acumen ensures Linda’s ability to deploy HR and OD activities to support organisational growth and development. Linda’s board level experience provides leadership ensuring people are front and centre of all decisions organisationally.

Linda is one of the leading contributors to the regular memcom-run senior HR and Leadership roundtable and steering committees.

With a background in marketing and events management, Debbie Hockham has worked with associations and the non-profit sector for more than 20 years.

 

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LinkedIn: deborahhockham