The City Mental Health Alliance (CMHA) has grown its executive team by recruiting two experienced professionals, as it continues to innovate and strengthen the workplace mental health support that it offers the business community.

Anastasia Vinnikova , who was previously Wellbeing Lead at the Bank of England, joins as Head of Workplace Wellbeing. Anastasia brings six years of experience from the Bank, where she had responsibility for delivery and evaluation of the Bank’s wellbeing programme as part of the broader inclusion agenda. Recently, this included leading on the redevelopment of the Future Talent processes to ensure mental health was at the heart of early career entrant experience and developing the Bank’s work on the wellbeing of the essential workforce. In her new CMHA role, she will be working with the CMHA to design and deliver the workplace mental health programme of events and guidance for members. 

Erin Welch is joining to lead on the business and partnership development strategy as the CMHA continues to grow. Erin will also oversee and innovate membership engagement processes, including the welcoming and onboarding of new members. Erin has significant experience of working within the financial sector – including managing partnerships and business development for Bank of Ireland, Blackrock and Rothschild & Co – as well as with the not-for-profit sector. Most recently she led Corporate Fundraising and Development for Ramblers GB, the UK’s walking charity.  

Alison Unsted, CEO of CMHA UK, said,

“Adding these two new roles to our team reflect the growth of our Alliance, as well as our commitment to driving innovation in workplace mental health and providing outstanding support to our members. I am personally delighted that Erin and Anastasia are joining us, and we are already benefiting from the wealth of experience, new ideas and enthusiasm that they are bringing to the CMHA.”  

Anastasia Vinnikova said,

“Workplace wellbeing has picked up significant pace over the last two years, as organisations recognise that employee mental health has to be a priority. There is also an increasing acknowledgement that employee mental health cannot be ‘one size fits all’, and individual contexts and challenges must be recognised, which is why it is so connected to inclusion priorities. I am excited about working with the CMHA executive team and Board to help to generate meaningful and inclusive change in workplace mental health for our members and beyond.”

Erin Welch said,

“I am excited about helping a growing number of businesses to build strong, measurable and effective workplace mental health strategies, through the onboarding of new CMHA members and engaging with strategic partners. I am passionate about the tangible impact the Alliance delivers to employees across our member organisations and I will be keeping our impact goals front and centre as we continue to grow. I am thrilled to be joining the Executive team and look forward to being a part of the next stage in CMHA’s journey.”