The Sir Thomas White Loan Charity is delighted to welcome Linda Neville on board as a new Trustee of the Charity.
Linda had a 26-year career in the NHS, working initially as a nurse with clients suffering from serious and enduring mental health conditions before spending a number of years in senior nurse leadership positions and culminating in an Operational Director position.
As Director of Adult Mental Health Services for Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland, Linda was responsible for a £100 million operating budget and a £50 million capital development programme.
Since leaving the NHS in 2011, Linda has developed her own business, providing Expert Witness reports for Court, and developing a Private Practice clinic, SanaMente, assisting people to make and embed changes into their lives.
“I found out about the Charity recently and was immediately impressed and excited by the work they do,” Linda said.
“My career has been about supporting people to be the best they can be through enhancing their belief in themselves and building sustainable coping strategies. So, this is like the final piece in the jigsaw, by supporting people financially to realise their dreams.
“I love the fact that the support is available in business and education,” she continued.
“I believe it is so important for people who are looking to develop themselves or have an innovative great idea to have somewhere to access funding from. Safe, sensible funding with a kind approach to making sure the ideas and applications are sound and robust.”
In 2021, Linda launched the online platform and community, Strive, using innovative and ground-breaking approaches to empowering people to be at their best, whilst supporting businesses to reduce sickness absence and increasing productivity.
In September 2023, Linda was a finalist for Outstanding Female Entrepreneur and won Outstanding Woman in Care Services, and was also awarded Inspirational Female Leader at The Women’s Awards.
“I hope that my impact will be of value around understanding people, ideas and behaviours,” she added.
“I am keen to be supportive to my fellow Trustees and the applicants. Although I have a public sector and business background, my passion is not finance or figures, it is all about the people and how best to help them. In some cases that will be about supporting an application and in others not. Sometimes the dream is not theirs to chase.
“I am delighted and thrilled to be part of this amazing Charity, it fits in perfectly with my ethos, lifestyle and plans. The people are great, the work is so rewarding and interesting, and I get to meet amazing people having super ideas!”