As thousands of students across the UK face the emotional rollercoaster of A-level results day, one accomplished leader reflects on how a similar experience nearly 30 years ago shaped her path to becoming the CEO of a major mental health charity. Sarah Hughes, now 49 and the chief executive of Mind, vividly remembers the disappointment of falling short of the grades needed for her chosen university.
“I was crushed,” recalls Sarah, who is originally from London but now lives in Cambridgeshire. On that fateful day, she sat beside her father, anxiously opening her results, only to see BCD instead of the BCC required to study social policy and social work at the University of Hull. “It was a very scary 48 hours after that,” she says.
Despite her initial heartbreak, Sarah’s story is a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of support. With encouragement from her family and friends, she navigated the stressful clearing process and secured a spot on her desired course. “I was anxious and worried, but my dad did a great job of making me feel better,” she shares. Through persistence and a heartfelt plea to the university, she convinced them of her passion for the field and was eventually accepted.
“I’ve never been incredibly academic,” Sarah admits, noting how she struggled with exams, even failing GCSE maths twice. Yet, she never let those setbacks define her, instead focusing on doing her best and keeping her eyes on the bigger picture.
Today, Sarah sits at the helm of Mind, a leading mental health charity, after being appointed as its chief executive in 2023. Her ambition to work in health and social care was sparked as a teenager, and she credits her unwavering vision, along with the support of loved ones and mentors, for guiding her journey. “From a very young age, I knew I wanted to work in this field,” she says. “It was about keeping my eyes on the prize.”
In July, Sarah was honored with an honorary doctorate from the University of Hull for her contributions to mental health – a moment she describes as “wild and humbling.” Reflecting on her career, she encourages today’s students to keep perspective. “It’s a big day, but it isn’t the rest of your life,” she advises. “I’ve had a great career, but I still haven’t got that maths GCSE.”
For aspiring CEOs and young people facing their own challenges, Sarah’s advice is clear: “Have a vision and believe you’re capable of it. Let people help you, draw on your networks, and don’t be afraid to try and fail. Passion and persistence are key.”
Her journey from an uncertain results day to leading one of the UK’s most impactful charities is a powerful reminder that setbacks are often just the beginning of success.
