New directors join James' Place

We’re delighted to announce that two new directors have joined us at James’ Place as part of a new Executive Leadership team. 

Allan Brownrigg joins us as Director of Clinical Services, and Neil Fray as Director of Finance and Resources. 

Both Allan and Neil bring substantial experience to James’ Place at a key point in our development, as we continue to expand our reach and improve service delivery, so that as many suicidal men as possible can access our free, life-saving therapy and find hope for the future. 

Allan said: “I was keen to join James Place, as I see it as a charity offering hope, compassion, kindness, and care to men during their most difficult moments. For too many men, accessing services can be difficult and stigmatising. What resonated with me about James’ Place is the non-clinical, homely, accessible centres, the experienced therapists, the purposefully developed model of treatment, and their ambition to reach and save as many lives as possible. In my role as Director of Clinical Services, I hope to build on the successful work to date and lead the clinical services to ensure we continue to reflect, learn, and develop to continue this essential work.” 

Neil said: “One of the values at James’ Place is Hope, and that struck a real chord with me. On any given day we can and do give men in crisis hope and help them change their lives for the better. It’s a privilege to be the new Director of Finance and Resources for James’ Place and I’ll work everyday, alongside my brilliant team, to keep the charity strong and to expand our reach at a time of increasing need.” 

About Allan 

Allan will be based in our Newcastle centre.  His previous roles include Partnerships & Programme Lead at Thrive at Five, Chief Allied Health & Health Care Professional within an acute NHS trust, and as a Consultant Psychological Therapist and Associate Director of Psychological Services at an NHS mental health Trust. He has been regional lead for the charity Frontline, and has held roles as a Senior Lecturer in Rehabilitation and Social Work and Evidence-based Psychological Therapy. He is an accredited Psychotherapist and registered Social Worker, and has significant experience in the mental health field, including leading suicide prevention in child and adolescent services, within prisons, and in community mental health services. Allan has consulted on evidence-based approaches to caring for people presenting through risk, crisis, personal complexity, and mental ill-health. He has a Master’s in Social Innovation from the Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge. Allan is also an experienced workplace well-being consultant and is currently reading for a PhD in Organisational Health and Well-being.  

About Neil 

Neil is a highly experienced Director, whose last role was Director of Finance at the campaigns non-profit 38 Degrees. He was previously Director of Finance at the Motor Neurone Disease Association, where he was responsible for finance, ICT and facilities. He was Finance Director at IEMA Ltd and spent eleven years at Energy and Utility Skills as Finance and Performance Director. He has also been a Trustee of the international development charity Action on Poverty and the Association for Art History.  Neil started his career in the private sector and has extensive experience of developing financial sustainability strategies, and fundraising revenue streams. He will be based in our new Birmingham centre.