Geoff Heyes
About Geoff Heyes
Geoff Heyes serves as the Head of Health Policy & Influencing at Mind, where he has worked since 2018. He has extensive experience in mental health policy and advocacy, previously holding roles at organizations such as Macmillan Cancer Support and NHS England.
Current Role at Mind
Geoff Heyes serves as the Head of Health Policy & Influencing at Mind, a position he has held since 2018. In this role, he leads strategic planning and coordination of activities related to crisis care within the organization. His responsibilities include acting as a media spokesperson for Mind on health and social care policy and representing the organization at a senior level with external stakeholders. He is also a member of NHS England’s Independent Oversight & Advisory and Long Term Plan Steering Groups for mental health.
Previous Experience
Prior to his current role, Geoff Heyes held several positions that contributed to his expertise in health policy. He worked as the Policy and Campaigns Manager at Mind from 2014 to 2017. Before that, he was a Senior Public Affairs Officer at Macmillan Cancer Support from 2012 to 2014. He also served as a Mental Health Accountability & Transparency Programme Manager at NHS England on secondment from 2017 to 2018. His earlier roles include working as a Policy Adviser at the Department for Communities and Local Government and as a Communications Officer at the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister.
Education and Qualifications
Geoff Heyes holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in History from Lancaster University, where he studied from 1997 to 2000. He furthered his education with a Master of Arts in Politics & Contemporary History from the University of Nottingham, completing his studies there from 2002 to 2003. His academic background provides a solid foundation for his work in health policy and public affairs.
Leadership in Mental Health Policy
Geoff Heyes chairs the Mental Health Policy Group, which is a coalition of six leading mental health organizations. In this capacity, he plays a significant role in shaping mental health policy and advocating for improvements in mental health services. His leadership in this group underscores his commitment to advancing mental health issues at a national level.
Stakeholder Engagement and Representation
In his role at Mind, Geoff Heyes actively engages with various stakeholders in the health sector. He represents Mind at senior levels, facilitating collaboration and dialogue with external organizations. His involvement in NHS England’s Independent Oversight & Advisory and Long Term Plan Steering Groups for mental health highlights his influence and engagement in shaping health policy.