Case study: Board Recruitment | Mental Health Matters (MHM)
MHM and Peridot partnered to recruit new trustees to the MHM board. Meet the new faces transforming leadership with Mental Health Matters.
Mental Health Matters (MHM) is a national charity which has a hugely positive impact on the lives of people living with mental health needs in local communities. MHM provides services across England, from Northumberland to Cornwall, led by a highly motivated and enthusiastic workforce (circa 400 employees) who are committed to delivering the best quality services to those in need of support.
In early 2021, MHM was entering a pivotal point as they looked to grow and evolve, whilst facing the immediate and more long-term mental health challenges presented by the COVID pandemic.
Peridot were tasked with finding two to three new Trustees, to bring a comprehensive range of skills and further develop a diverse way of thinking to their Board. We needed to search for a highly experienced qualified accountant, who could provide exceptional financial skills, who could also sit on the Audit Committee to enhance scrutiny in this area. We were also looking for an experienced professional with either an IT or Digital or Technology background who could support their IT infrastructure strategy and digital evolution.
We welcomed both experienced Board leaders and those looking to take on their first Charity Trusteeship. As always, diversity played a key factor in our search. We not only encouraged applicants with direct or transferable skills, but those who also had lived experience to bring to the table. After all, diverse leadership underpins the acceleration of positive change in society for us all.
This search was hugely successful and we recruited six new Trustees, covering IT, Finance, Digital, Programmes, Mental Health expertise, and Commissioning. Each candidate brought collaborative, caring, and ambitious thinking, as well as dynamic and innovative approaches to their work.
MHM now has a growing and passionate Board, and individuals who are highly committed to enabling MHM to flourish and ensure more people have the opportunity to engage with the organisation.
Category: Case studies
Consultant in charge
James Hunt
Director | Membership & Development
James Hunt is a senior executive search specialist with over two decades of experience connecting exceptional leaders with purpose-driven organisations. As Head of Not for Profit Appointments at Peridot Partners, he has led 300 specialist, senior and board-level searches across the UK's charity, membership and higher-education sectors.
His portfolio spans appointments for organisations as wide-ranging as the Chartered Insurance Institute, Stonewall, University of London, IOSH and Migrant Help. James is trusted for his insight, rigour and empathy when working with boards navigating complexity or transition.
Inclusive recruitment is central to his approach. As a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, neurodivergent and an immigrant who has made the UK home, James draws on lived experience to embed fairness and belonging into every search. He is a Trustee and sits on two Committees of a large charity, and is a member of Peridot's EDI, L&D and People Committees. He actively challenges assumptions, opens space for underrepresented voices and builds transparent, psychologically safe recruitment journeys.
James believes that great leadership is grounded in vulnerability, creativity and empathy. These values shape his work with candidates and clients alike, helping to build long-term relationships and leadership teams that reflect the societies they serve.
