CEO Sue Freeth has announced that she is to step down

Combat Stress’ Chief Executive Sue Freeth has announced that she is to step down after leading the veterans’ mental health charity for five years.

Sue will support the charity’s trustees in the search for her successor and will continue to lead Combat Stress until the new Chief Executive is in place.

In recent years, Sue has taken Combat Stress through two significant change programmes, including earlier this year when the charity was forced to scale back its services and workforce following a substantial drop in government funding.

Giles Peel, Chairman of Combat Stress, said:
“I want thank Sue for the significant contribution she has made to Combat Stress. She has led the organisation during a period when the financial challenges we faced have been effectively addressed and the core offering to veterans has been modernised and transformed. Sue has the full support of the Board.”

Sue said:
“In the five years I have served as Chief Executive, the passion I have for this charity has grown immensely. We deliver world-leading treatment to former servicemen and women that is life-changing and often lifesaving. I’m proud of how the employees at Combat Stress respect, care and provide hope to the veterans we are here to serve. The veterans really are at the heart of everything we do.

“There will never be a perfect time for me to leave Combat Stress, but I feel I must move on. During the next six months I will support the trustees in finding a new Chief Executive and will then ensure a seamless transition to support my successor in starting their journey with the charity.

“I will leave Combat Stress ready and well placed to grow and adapt to the needs of veterans.”