Mental health charity Jami appoints new chair of its board

The community’s leading mental health charity has appointed the new Chair of its Board of Trustees.

Adam Dawson will take over from Doug Krikler at the helm of Jami, who stepped down from the role after six years.

The Jewish mental health charity was founded 30 years ago, and helps more than 1,300 people annually through its services.

As a barrister, Dawson focuses on personal injury and clinical negligence as a result of medical trauma, and has explored the impact of mental health and wellbeing on rehabilitation.

He also brings experience working within the Jewish community, as a former chair of the Union of Jewish Students, vice chair of the London Jewish Forum and member of the Board of Deputies, as well as a current trustee at Jewish Care.

“I am passionate about mental health advocacy and this, together with my history of communal work, has led to my interest in Jami – the community’s ‘go to’ organisation for mental health”, Dawson said.

Reflecting on the task ahead, he said that “as demand grows and communal fundraising becomes an ever-greater challenge, combined with a lack of statutory service provision in mental health, the strategic and practical needs for Jami are significant.”

Welcoming him to his new role, Jami Chief Executive, Laurie Rackind, said, Dawson’s “understanding of mental health and strong empathy with our values, will bring invaluable experience and expertise to help us to continue to develop our innovative services and transform the communal landscape for mental health.”

Outgoing Chair, Doug Krikler, said he is “delighted to be handing on the Jami baton to Adam, who I have no doubt will make an excellent Chair”.