Ben, an independent charity and dedicated partner to the automotive industry, providing support for life for its people and their family dependents, has announced the appointment of Rachel Clift as Health & Wellbeing Director. Rachel will lead Ben’s health and wellbeing services for the automotive industry, bringing with her over 18 years of experience in the field.
Rachel has a proven track record as a subject matter expert in health, work and wellbeing, using evidence-based theory and practice to underpin service design, delivery and innovation in both the public and private sector. Rachel also has a wealth of experience of leading integrated and holistic health and wellbeing programmes and services in welfare to work and workplace health and wellbeing, both strategically and in operational delivery.
Most recently, Rachel held the position of Director for Health & Wellbeing at PeoplePlus UK. In this national role, Rachel provided specialist health and wellbeing support and led the business development strategy.
In the early part of her career Rachel gained automotive industry experience as the onsite physiotherapist for Peugeot at their Tile Hill plant, as well as working in the NHS as a chartered physiotherapist following her graduation with a BSc in physiotherapy from the University of Birmingham. Rachel is also a former Olympian (Beijing, 2008) with over 140 international appearances for Great Britain & England women’s hockey teams.
Zara Ross, Chief Executive at Ben, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Rachel to our executive team at Ben and she brings a depth of knowledge and a wealth of experience to the organisation. Rachel’s strong background in developing and delivering health and wellbeing programmes will stand her in good stead for this integral role at Ben. Rachel’s experience in creating programmes for employees, as well as corporate workplace propositions for employers, will help us take our health & wellbeing services to the next level.
“It was extremely important for us to appoint an individual with a strong background in health and wellbeing, but also someone with the right approach to leadership. Rachel has the energy and integrity to lead our health & wellbeing team, with a proven track record of not only managing, but also motivating and inspiring those she works with. We believe that Rachel is the right person to further develop our health and wellbeing offering to the industry.”
Rachel said: “I’m delighted to have started my new role of Health & Wellbeing Director at Ben and I’m really impressed by the motivation and commitment that my new colleagues have demonstrated. I am passionate about people, and believe that people are the industry’s greatest asset, and therefore empowering people to better manage their health & wellbeing is very powerful. I also believe it’s key to work closely with businesses in the industry to help them support their employees with their health and wellbeing.
“I will lead by example, work collaboratively with energy, inspire others and I will demonstrate courage and conviction. I look forward to providing the leadership and vision to help shape and further develop Ben’s health and wellbeing services. I’m committed to playing my part in Ben’s future by helping continue the charity’s success in supporting the people who work, or have worked, in the automotive industry with their health and wellbeing.”
