Birmingham-based health charity Cysters appoints founder as Chief Executive Officer after decade of volunteering

Cysters has announced the appointment of its founder, Neelam Heera Shergill, as its Chief Executive Officer.

Although many people assumed she already held the role, Neelam has led the charity on a voluntary basis for over ten years. She founded the charity in Birmingham back in 2014 in response to the lack of support for people affected by reproductive health inequalities.

Over the past decade, she has helped grow Cysters from a small community group into a nationally recognised charity. The organisation works to address gaps in healthcare, challenge medical gaslighting, and tackle systemic inequalities affecting marginalised communities.

Speaking on her appointment, Neelam Heera Shergill said: “For almost ten years, Cysters has been built on community care, lived experience, and sheer determination. 

"To finally step into the CEO role with organisational backing and stability feels both grounding and transformative. In an unstable funding climate, this support has been a lifeline, especially now that I am a mother and leading with sustainability matters more than ever.

.“I am incredibly proud of what we have built collectively. This next chapter is about growing with integrity, deepening our impact, and ensuring the community always remains at the heart of everything we do.”

Cysters’ latest impact report shows the wide range of its work, including reproductive health, mental health, maternity justice and community education.

The charity focuses on supporting people who are often left out of healthcare decisions and services. 

As Chief Executive, Neelam pledges to continue to lead the organisation’s work to tackle health inequalities and support communities through inclusive, community-led approaches.

To read the full impact report visit the 'resources' page on the Cysters website.