The children’s mental health and wellness game company, Book of Beasties, has appointed a new CEO and head of sales as the team eyes UK growth and new avenues for product development.
Former teacher, economist, and education adviser, Oisin Bishenden has taken over the reins of the award-winning children’s games and mental health resource company, bringing a wealth of experience to the team built over a career within the education sector.
The move sees co-founder and former CEO, Phil Tottman take on a new role with the company as director of development, where he will lead the development of Book of Beasties innovations.
Bishenden has specialised in working with children across socio-economic backgrounds and with a wide range of behavioural needs. Alongside leading Book of Beasties, he also works as an Education Adviser for the country’s leading provider of formative assessment where he supports a host of multi-academy trusts in the planning, implementation and interpretation of their assessment strategies and particular areas of SEN provision.
“Now more than ever, the link between pupil, parent, and teacher is crucial to the development of emotional literacy and ensuring mental health. I believe our mental wellness card game and asociated resources are perfectly placed to support schools and parents through a play-based approach to tackling the potential mental health crisis faced by the UK’s young people,” said Bishenden.
“We are doubling down on this through our Playful Minds Campaign which seeks ring-fencing funding for play-based Mental Health provision in schools. We have committed to providing free training and intervention resources to 500 schools at our own expense and will be engaging with the Mayor of London, MPs, and other political figures to seek support in safeguarding children effected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
“In this endeavour, we are happy to collaborate with any business or charities working across the sector.”
Co-founders, Tottman, and Tom Dryland, said in a joint statement: “We and the rest of our team are pleased for Oisin to be stepping in, we know he will be the driving force we need to take us to the next level of growth, allowing us to support more children around the UK and beyond during this pivotal time for the Mental Wellbeing of young people.”
Meanwhile, the firm has also appointed Penelope Diaz Manso as its head of sales, taking overall responsibility for the planning and implementation of Book of Beasties marketing and sales strategy.
She said: “As an experienced salesperson in the Education Sector, and a parent of a ten year old child, I can clearly see the potential and benefit of implementing The Mental Wellness Card Game in schools and homes.
“I am delighted to be part of a company that is committed to helping as many teachers, parents, and pupils as possible to overcome this Mental Health Crisis.”
