Led development and delivery of large scale change and adoption campaign across London’s NHS Trusts and Police forces which has transformed responses for people experiencing mental health crises in public, reduced the number of people criminalised via Section 136 orders, and reduced Police time attending incidents.
Launching this new 24-7 telephone service for London’s 45,000+ frontline Police officers meant new ways of working, requiring significant culture and behaviour change.
We worked closely with senior Police officers, alongside NHS clinicians and operational directors to create an informed, partnership campaign.
Results inside the first six months of operation included
· 33% fewer patients detained under S136 (and therefore not ‘criminalised’ – a major breakthrough in reducing associated stigma and long-standing inequalities because of detention, particularly experienced by people from Black communities in south London)
· 31% fewer people taken to Emergency Departments
· 21% reduction in Police Officers’ time attending mental health crisis incidents
· 61% of new contacts onto alternative pathways
· Patients get right care sooner, and are safer
· Established a unique new, integrated cross-organisation service – trailblazer for partnership working
Dimensions of this pan-London implementation and behaviour change campaign
· All 10 NHS mental health trusts
· 45k+ Police officers from the Metropolitan Police Service, British Transport Police, City of London Police
· All NHS Acute Trusts’ Emergency Departments
· London Ambulance Service
We were shortlisted for two high profile awards in the 2024 HSJ Patient Safety Awards, and have presented as best practice to the NHSE national mental health communications director network, and the Scottish Government’s national mental health urgent care forum.







David has developed strategies and implemented large-scale multi-channel national marketing campaigns for me that have delivered real and measurable results. This work has been completed in challenging and high-profile environments with full regard of the stakeholder issues and challenges. David combines a range of strong marketing and communications skills with the ability to operate at the most senior levels.He has also demonstrated the ability to purposefully engage with stakeholders and secure buy-in and involvement from colleagues and external organisations. His breadth of experience and ability to identify the key challenges and opportunities in new sectors means he can deploy effective, innovative approaches that are truly focussed on results. As a CEO leading turnaround and transformation of complex, high profile organisations, it is essential to me that when I bring in senior interim resources, I need people who can understand the challenges and add value quickly through consultancy and delivery. David has played a valuable role in two such situations, one a £10bn+ programme that underpinned a government executive agency turnaround and was a Cabinet Office priority. I value his advice, his rapid understanding of the challenges and drivers, and his ability to develop and then deliver solutions. Working in demanding, high profile environment makes it essential to forge positive relationships with internal, partner and external stakeholders. He brings these abilities, and the resilience to stay focused on the true objectives. David has these attributes and more, creating value for me as a valued member of my executive team.
Mark Grimshaw CEO, Business Banking Resolution ServiceFormerly CEO, Rural Payments Agency