After more than a decade of support to the Mindfulness Initiative, Ed Halliwell has stepped down from the Board of Trustees. In recent months we have also said a grateful goodbye to Angela McCusker and Katie White. Each of these has been generous with their time and skills and here we take a moment to celebrate them.

 

Ed Halliwell was among the very first to dedicate time and insight to the concept of a policy institute on mindfulness, working with the founders to shape the organisation. Along with his exceptional way with words, he brought his expertise as one of the most high-profile mindfulness teachers in the UK, grounding the initiative in his own deep experience.

During the intense period of the Mindful Nation UK inquiry, Ed was at the helm as Co-Director (together with Madeleine Bunting) helping to oversee the eight Parliamentary events which examined how mindfulness could be incorporated into UK services and institutions. It required skilful navigation of an entirely new collaboration, drawing diverse people into Parliament for the first time and coordinating the research and writing of the resulting report, which remains a keystone of the MI.

In April 2015, Jamie Bristow took over as Director, keeping Ed close as a key advisor. Jamie reflects,

“I’ve always so valued both the soundness of Ed’s counsel and his insight and advice, and also the tone and demeanour with which he offers his support, which has always been the right balance between involved and supportive, and low-key and trusting. He’s just always someone you want to have around.”

As the MI took formal charitable status in 2017, Ed became one of the founding Trustees, and served for 6 years on the Board. His kind and centred presence and his wise guidance are already missed.

 

Katie White OBE is another founding Trustee who leaves us in 2024, having been elected MP for Leeds North West.

Committed to mindfulness, but coming from outside the world of teaching and research, Katie brought a hugely helpful perspective. Her experience working with government on policy and campaigns was invaluable, and she guided the organisation in ‘coming of age’.

Jamie recalls,

“Katie made everything more easeful and more joyful as well as more informed and more robust. Honestly I’m not sure how she became involved – it was almost like she was some kind of angel who came out of nowhere – but there was life before Katie, and there was life after, and it was much better after!”

In the early days of her involvement, Katie played a key role in welcoming MPs from around the world to a gathering in the UK Parliament – a high-stakes event for a small charity. With her extensive expertise in climate change, she was the ideal person to Chair the Board as the MI turned its attention towards the role of mindfulness in the climate crisis and produced the report Reconnection.

We congratulate Katie on her new role and wish her all the very best as she represents her community in the House of Commons.

 

Angela McCusker joined the Board of Trustees in 2021, with a particular enthusiasm for bringing mindfulness and compassion into workplaces. Her extensive experience in finance was an obvious advantage, and her time spent coaching leaders in mindfulness also proved valuable as she guided decisions.

Even after the journey from Aberdeen to London for a meeting, she would be ready with incisive commentary and clarity of thought. The time and care she dedicated to supporting the executive team – and recruiting our current Director - are remembered with gratitude.

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Pictured are the core team and Trustees in 2023: Trish Bartley, Katie White, Eileen Clark, Ed Halliwell, Angela McCusker, Ruth Ormston, Jamie Bristow (Pauline Gibbs was unavailable for the photo). 

Read about our current Board of Trustees.