“I am delighted and honoured to be joining the SMART Recovery UK team. The charity’s evidence-based approach empowers individuals to overcome addictions and contributes to international research efforts to enhance understanding of the recovery process. This is urgent and important work.
I identify strongly with the organisation’s inclusive ethos and values, and I am looking forward to engaging with our volunteers, staff, and my fellow trustees. Together we will build on SMART’s impressive track record and work to improve the lives of many more individuals, their families, and their friends.”
UK SMART Recovery is pleased to announce the appointment of Professor Derek Heim as the new Chairman of the Board. He joins the seven existing Trustees to lead and oversee the strategic direction of the charity.
Derek Heim is Professor of Psychology at Edge Hill University. His research focuses on social, cultural, and contextual influences on substance use and well-being. Professor Heim is also the Editor-in-Chief of the cross-disciplinary journal Addiction Research and Theory, which is a leading academic journal for scholarly contributions that view addictive behaviour as arising from psychological processes and social contexts as much as from the effects of the psychoactive substance or activity involved. He previously served as a Trustee of Alcohol Change UK for many years and has a deep appreciation of the value of a high performing and effective Board.
Derek joins UK SMART Recovery at an exciting time of change as we embark on an important digital transformation journey with our international colleagues in Australia and America. As a well respected academic in the field, he will also be involved with the work of the Global Research Advisory Committee. We feel privileged that someone of his standing has accepted the role of Chairman, and we know he will do a great job as Professor Spada’s successor.
Dr Charlie Orton UK SMART Recovery Chief Executive Officer commented: “The type of leadership we have in place is more important than ever as we seek to deliver an ambitious strategy to better the life chances of those impacted by addictions. Professor Heim brings all the qualities and experience we’ve been looking for and I am certain the charity will thrive under his leadership. There will be a culture of innovation and operational excellence underpinning everything we do as we seek to make SMART accessible to as many people as possible.”.
UK SMART Recovery is a Founding Affiliate of the global SMART Recovery community that is governed by SMART Recovery International. Jennifer Johannesen, SMART Recovery International President commented: “It is important that our Country Affiliates have sound leadership and governance practices. We are pleased to welcome Professor Heim to the global SMART Recovery community and are confident that UK SMART Recovery will thrive and grow under his leadership and vision. We are also looking forward to Professor Heim joining our Global Research Advisory Committee and leading research projects on SMART Recovery in the UK”.
SMART Recovery UK would like to also take this opportunity to thank Mr Ian Preece for standing in as Interim Chair over the last 12 months. Ian is one of UKSR greatest assets and has the best interests of the charity, and everyone in it, at heart. Ian continues to act as our Treasurer for which we are truly grateful.
WELCOME TO THE TEAM PROF HEIM!