The chief executive of Maudsley Charity, Rebecca Gray, has been appointed as director of the NHS Confederation's Mental Health Network.

The network represents providers from across the statutory, independent and third sectors and works with government, regulators, opinion formers, media and the wider NHS to promote excellence in mental health services and the importance of good mental health.

Gray succeeds Sean Duggan, who led the network for six years until recently joining Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust as its chair.

Gray has led Maudsley Charity since 2016 working in partnership with South London & Maudsley NHS Foundation trust and Kings College London.

She joined the charity from The King's Fund, and has worked in the health sector since 1997, initially at The Alzheimer's Society. She previously held senior roles in a number of healthcare regulators. 

Gray said: ‘The Mental Health Network has a history of bringing together the voices of the diverse range of providers on how services can serve and work with communities better, and on what is needed at local, system and national level to achieve change. 

‘I'm really looking forward to working with leaders at all levels, not only to better understand the challenges that get in the way of delivering the best care and support but importantly to engage with the ideas, new approaches and partnerships which can help tackle them.'

NHS Confederation chair, Lord Victor Adebowale, added: ‘Rebecca will provide extra energy and ideas as we continue to make the case both for parity of esteem and for extra investment and focus on mental health and learning disability.

‘With a new government, there is an opportunity to put mental health back up the national agenda and deliver important reforms, such as to the Mental Health Act which is long overdue.'

Gray will start her new role in January.