Barbara Herts became the Chief Executive of YoungMinds, the national children’s mental health charity, in 2005. Barbara graduated from Exeter University and qualified as a teacher. She qualified as an Ofsted inspector for Primary and Early Years and joined the National Children’s Bureau as lead officer responsible for local government and children’s services. Barbara worked for three local education authorities as Assistant Director of Children’s Services: Westminster, Ealing and Newham.

Before joining YoungMinds, Barbara was lead official in the Department for Education and Skills for children’s participation policy and was responsible for the creation of the Children and Young People’s Board. She led work on the creation of the Children’s Commissioner role and functions under the 2004 Children Act.