Headtorch Wellbeing Hour

Listen to the first Wellbeing Hour of the year with Enoch Adeyemi, Finance Consultant at Aldermore Bank, Co-Founder at Black Professionals UK & Black Scottish Awards.Enoch is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and a consultant specialising in the financial services industry. A passionate advocate for positive change, he is the founder of several organisations, including Black Professionals United Kingdom (BPUK) – one of the UK’s fastest-growing networks supporting professionals, students, and corporate partners.Through his work in leadership, finance, diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and entrepreneurship, Enoch is shaping more equitable workplaces and opening doors for the next generation. He also lends his expertise to multiple advisory boards, where he champions opportunity and representation.Listen to a powerful episode as Enoch shares his story of resilience and vision, exploring how wellbeing, leadership, and inclusion can come together to drive opportunities for all.

Listen to Wellbeing Hour with Dr Sarah Jackson, Chief Medical Officer at EDF UK, for a conversation on leadership, collaboration, and wellbeing in high-performance workplaces.Dr Sarah Jackson is a Consultant in Occupational Medicine with a distinguished background in workplace health, leadership, and resilience. After joining the British Army while studying medicine at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne, Sarah trained as a GP before specialising in Occupational Medicine in 2010.During her military career, she served in Canada, Bosnia, Iraq, and Cyprus, rising to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel.On this podcast episode with the Chief Medical Officer at EDF UK, Sarah leads on health and wellbeing strategy across one of the UK’s largest utility industries. She also chairs the Nuclear Industry and Ionising Radiation Occupational Physicians Forum (NIIROPS) and the Health and Technical Committee for the Energy Institute.Listen to Dr. Sarah Jackson for an insightful hour discussion and walk away with fresh ideas for building healthier, more connected workplaces.

Tara Ferguson is our March guest on the Headtorch ‘Wellbeing Hour’ podcast.With over 20 years in HR, coaching, and employee wellbeing, Tara Ferguson has worked with leading organisations like Unilever, PepsiCo, and Exscientia. After a cancer diagnosis in 2024, subsequent intensive treatments, and the opportunity to take redundancy from Exscientia, Tara left in December 2024 to set up Onward With You, a business coaching and wellbeing consultancy focused on leadership development and workplace mental health. This business combines all the things Tara loves to do, and is great at doing – executive coaching, leadership development, employee wellbeing, and a special interest in mental health issues and cancer issues at work. A passionate advocate for employee wellbeing, Tara has also volunteered with SHOUT, supporting mental health initiatives. In her free time, she enjoys cold water swimming, reading, and family time. Join us with Tara Ferguson for what promises to be an open and honest hour

Join us for a special Wellbeing Hour panel event this February, where industry experts will explore the vital link between career development and mental health in the workplace.Meet the PanelistsOur panel features leaders from career-focused industries, each with unique insights on maintaining mental well-being while navigating professional growth. Don’t miss this engaging discussion—your career and mental health matter!Jane Barrett – Career FarmJane Barrett is a career coach and former recruitment leader with 20 years of experience running career development workshops at top European business schools. A career changer herself, she founded The Career Farm, training managers in career coaching and developing courses used by Amazon, Prudential, and Nissan. Her Maximiser program supports MBA and Masters students worldwide. Co-author of Taking Charge of Your Career (Bloomsbury), Jane is passionate about job satisfaction’s impact on mental well-being.Susan Gee – Yorkshire WaterSusan Gee is a highly experienced occupational health professional with over 40 years in public and private sectors. Currently Head of Occupational Health & Wellbeing at Yorkshire Water, she previously led Bradford Council’s Occupational Health & Safety team for 16 years. A respected speaker, researcher, and former lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, she advocates a holistic approach to workplace health. Susan also runs a private practice and enjoys cooking, reading, and walking with her dog, Dolly.Mark Lawrence – Data Driven HRMark Lawrence is an HR and Learning Analytics leader with 25 years of experience across industries, including roles at PwC, IBM, GSK, and Diageo. Since September 2024, he has led data, reporting, and analytics strategy for Deloitte’s Central Business Services while managing his advisory firm, Data Driven HR. A published author and Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Mark advocates for evidence-based management to improve workforce decisions. Based in Yorkshire, he is married with four children.

Listen to Cath Pendleton as the first guest speaker of 2025 on the ‘Wellbeing Hour’ podcast.Cath Pendleton, known as “The Merthyr Mermaid,” is an accomplished open water and ice swimmer from Wales. She holds a Guinness World Record for the Most Southerly Ice Swim (female), achieved by becoming the first person to swim an ice mile inside the Antarctic Polar circle in February 2020. Her remarkable journey was documented in a BBC film titled “The Merthyr Mermaid,” which showcases ordinary people accomplishing extraordinary feats.Cath discovered her passion for winter and ice swimming in September 2015 and has since embraced it as a means to manage her mental health. She refers to swimming as her “Reset Button” and often says, “To make Cath happy, just add cold water!” Her impressive achievements include completing the English Channel swim (both as part of a 4-person relay and solo), becoming the first Welsh woman to swim an official Ice Mile in January 2016, and representing Team GB at the 2019 World Ice Swimming Championships in Russia, where she won bronze in her age category for the 1000m event.With 10 official Ice Miles under her belt, Cath continues to pursue new challenges and passions. She has qualified as an “SSI Ocean Mermaid” and enjoys freediving and ocean mermaiding. Cath also has aspirations to row the Atlantic in a team of four before her 60th birthday. Her adventurous spirit and dedication to inspiring others make her an excellent motivational speaker, encouraging people to try new experiences and push their boundaries.You can watch the full documentary – The Merthyr Mermaid on BBC iPlayer.Join us with Cath Pendleton for what promises to be a free, open and honest hour

Join us for Wellbeing Hour with Prudence Pitter - Global Head of HR at Amazon Web Services (Auto/MFG)Pr30udence Pitter has over 25 years of extensive Human Resource leadership experience across various industries, Prudence currently serves as the Global Head of HR for Amazon Web Services' in the Automotive & Manufacturing division. A passionate advocate for authentic leadership, Prudence will be sharing insights on "The Power of Authentic Leadership" and why "The Best Leaders are Role Models."Her diverse background includes corporate HR roles, consulting, and a 9-year tenure as an Adjunct Professor of HR. Prudence is dedicated to mentoring junior HR professionals and serves on multiple boards. Her expertise in aligning people practices with business priorities while prioritising employee experience makes her a valuable voice in the realm of leadership development and organisational wellbeing.Join us with Prudence Pitter for what promises to be a free, open and honest hour.#wellbeinghour #workplacementalhealth #workplacewellbeing #mentalhealthintheworkplace #podcast

On October’s Wellbeing Hour, we have a special panel event. We’ll be hearing from three members of Gen Z discussing workplace mental health and wellbeing. We’ll be discussing: What are the priorities for Gen Z in the workplace? What do future leaders think now? What is their vision for workplace wellbeing in the future? Join us and learn from a younger generation, see the world the way that they see it. Our panelists: Our panelists are all high achievers, working in different industries, and look after their mental health in different ways. Debbie makes room for quiet times and prayer in the morning, as well as physically active with netball and the gym. Aoife has been involved in a mental health charity and the Mental Health & Wellbeing Group at her work. Elliot plays American Football and takes time to disconnect at lunchtime. Join us to find out more … Debbie Aikamhenze, Spirax Group Debbie is a Sales Engineer in the steam industry where she leads engineering activities and drives business growth across diverse markets in developing and emerging economies. During her degree she spent a year living and studying in Malaysia whilst supporting Engineering Without Boarders projects to provide energy from renewable sources to rural and off grid communities. Aoife Murphy, Baillie Gifford Aoife joined Ballie Gifford are a Graduate Trainee in Operations. Having just returned to Edinburgh from a secondment in their New York office, she is working with their North American Shareholder Service Department. Elliot Sorbie, Altrad Elliot is an Environmental Officer, responsible for governance and guidance for Altrad’s environmental, energy and carbon management systems with teams and clients across the UK. Prior to his degree, Elliot spent time in Ghana where he helped build a school, and post university he was recruited by an American Football team in Brisbane where he spent a season playing with them.

Listen to Headtorch's Wellbeing Hour with Andrew J. Rodgers - Leadership Consultant and Principal at Odgers Berndtson.“Be Courageous, Discover Your Identity”Andrew is a leadership consultant and an executive and team coach. Prior to a 19 year career at HSBC, he was a musician, a youth worker and almost became a monk. At HSBC he fulfilled numerous roles including start-ups, country and regional head roles, global account management, and was Global Director of Sustainability and Wellbeing.His passion for people inspired a transition into leadership consulting. He works with executive teams where he develops and facilitates leadership programmes. Andrew is an ICF accredited executive coach and developer of the metamind mindset renewal approach.Join us with Andrew J. Rodgers for what promises to be a free, open and honest hour.#wellbeinghour #workplacementalhealth #workplacewellbeing #mentalhealthintheworkplace #podcast

The Wellbeing Hour with Adriènne Kelbie - Leadership Coach, Former Head of Office for Nuclear Regulation & First Patron of Women in Nuclear UK"Your Comfort Zone Is Not Your Friend" Adrienne’s mantra ‘Your Comfort Zone Is Not Your Friend’ drives her constantly to try new things and to help others overcome their barriers so they can be their biggest, best, boldest selves.Now an executive coach, board advisor and consultant, Adrienne’s thriving career to date, has seen her go from agency temp to chief executive and beyond.She’s led the transformation of a local authority, established and modernised the Disclosure & Barring Service and most recently she’s transformed the Office for Nuclear Regulation into a multiple-award winning organisation.As Patron of Women in Nuclear UK, Adrienne has spoken worldwide inspiring the sector to improve its recruitment, retention and promotion of women. It is in recognition of her impact on inclusion, and the nuclear sector, she was awarded her CBE.Join us with Adriènne Kelbie for what promises to be a free, open and honest hour.#wellbeinghour #workplacementalhealth #workplacewellbeing #mentalhealthintheworkplace #podcast

Ollie Folayan MBE – Co-founder of AFBE-UK, Head of Process at Costain Group, Visiting Professor – University of DundeeOllie Folayan is an accomplished engineer and academic, currently serving as a visiting professor at the University of Dundee and as Head of Process at civil engineering company Costain Group.With expertise in Chemical Process Engineering and a PhD in Fuels and Combustion, Ollie has led significant engineering projects and authored numerous publications. He is dedicated to promoting diversity and inclusion in engineering, leading outreach programs and co-authoring publications on the topic.Ollie’s contributions have earned him recognition, including acceptance into the Fellowship of the Institution of Chemical Engineers and receiving the Diversity and Inclusion Award from the Institution of Chemical Engineering (IChemE). In 2023, he was awarded an MBE for his services to diversity and inclusion in engineering.Join us to listen to his thought-provoking story and valuable insights.

Chris Abbey is the Senior Vice President HSE at Altrad UK, Ireland & Nordics.After leaving the armed forces, Chris got involved in Health & Safety literally, by accident.A life changing event, involving fire and an explosion changed his perspective about risk, behaviour and people forever. Now working at senior levels and internationally, his experience amplifies his clear mandate - to prevent loss, damage, and physical or mental injury at work.Promoting this accountable culture, he believes, only happens when we can ask questions in a psychologically safe environment, to understand perspectives and learn.Both mentally and physically - we’ll hear how Chris has shaped his purpose and drive towards a healthy workplace.

Listen to the Wellbeing Hour Panel with guestsJulie Nerney, Serial Entreprenuer, Transformational Leader & Non Executive Director UK Supreme CourtProf Denis Fischbacher-Smith, Research Chair in Risk & Resilience, University of GlasgowKaren Anne Duffy, HSE & Sustainability Manager, Volvo Construction Equipment, Chair Global Mental Health Community, Volvo Group

Tamana Ayazi is an Emmy-winning filmmaker, journalist, and human rights advocate. She was born and raised in Balkh, Afghanistan.Tamana Ayazi passionately uses storytelling as a powerful tool for advocating freedom of thought, equality and human rights.In 2018, Tamana became a National Geographic Explorer, and in 2021, she began assisting Amnesty International in documenting its one-year-long report titled “Death in Slow Motion: Women and Girls Under Taliban Rule.”Tamana Ayazi’s film credits include the Academy Award-winning short documentary “Learning to Skateboard in a Warzone (If You’re a Girl)” (2019), Where the Light Shines (2019) and One Bullet (2023). Her debut feature-length documentary, “In Her Hands,” premiered at the 2022 Toronto International Film Festival and won the Audience Award at the 2022 Camden International Film Festival. Tamana is the recipient of the Cinema for Peace Dove Award for Women’s Empowerment, along with three News and Emmy nominations in 2023, along with one win. Her work is now available on Netflix.Join us to explore how mental health and workplace culture work hand in hand.

Matthew is a Client Relationship Director at Baillie Gifford.He’s also Chair of their Mental Health Group.Hear from Matthew about creating an open workplace culture, the polar opposite to a closed one where you "bottle things up".  The lessons from this apply to every organisation.Baillie Gifford values the mental health and wellbeing of employees, investing in Learning & Development and numerous initiatives to support everyone.Join us to explore how mental health and workplace culture works hand in hand.

Sue started life as a dancer – narrowly missing out on being part of the infamous Pans People, (as featured on ‘Top of the Pops’ in the 1970s). Running alongside the world of dance, she took up competing and volunteering in the world of Motorsport.After many years Sue started to deliver training and project consultancy for The Motorsport Association (MSA), assisting them with a very successful recruitment and development project. Further work followed including managing the International Training Programme for the MSA. This international work saw Sue and a team of trainers deliver training to over 50 countries in a 10 year period.Since then she’s co-authored a body of work which provides safety guidance and regulations to all rally events across the UK and which has now been adopted for International events across the world.Sue now manages the L&D team at Motorsport UK who have responsibility for over 10,000 volunteer marshals, over 3,000 volunteer officials and the Elite Programme with over 100 competitors competing at the top level both nationally and internationally.

Chas’s career was in finance, working with companies including Cadbury Schweppes, Debenhams, The Burton Group and Diageo. His last major role was as CFO for Superdry Plc., where he saw the business grow from £25m to £314m in 5 years. He chaired the project team to list the business on the London Stock Exchange, winning 2010 IPO of the Year in the process and achieving FTSE250 status.When profits turned, Chas left Superdry and after some years, in 2016 was diagnosed with depression. Now he is in a much happier place having made changes to his lifestyle, but he is not better. Instead, Chas lives with depression, rather than suffering from it.Join us to hear his story and his new found passion and purpose in changing attitudes to mental ill health.

Kate Goodger is one of the most experienced performance psychologists in Olympic sport in the UK having worked with Team GB athletes and medallists at seven Olympic Games. She has achieved a strong reputation as a high-performance coach and facilitator with executives, leaders and teams in European and global businesses.She has a PhD in Athlete Burnout and is a published researcher in the field. She has brought both her applied and research background into her role at Laing O’Rourke as Head of Human Innovation and Performance with a critical focus on unlocking ingenuity at every level of the business.

Rory O’Connor PhD FRSE FAcSS is Professor of Health Psychology at the University of Glasgow in Scotland, President of the International Association for Suicide Prevention and a Past President of the International Academy of Suicide Research. Rory leads the Suicidal Behaviour Research Lab at Glasgow, one of the leading suicide/self-harm research groups internationally. He has published extensively in the field of suicide and self-harm. His research has been extensively cited as evidenced by Rory being named in the 2022 ISI Highly Cited Researchers list, that ranks researchers in the top 1% for citations in their field. He is the recipient of several awards including the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention’s Research Award. He is also co-author/editor of several books, including being author of the award-winning book When It is Darkest. Why People Die by Suicide and What We Can Do To Prevent It. Rory has also contributed to numerous TV documentaries on suicide and co-hosts the mental health podcast MQ’s Open Mind.

Julie was a serial entrepreneur, starting, running and selling 14 business in the UK and overseas. She then had a successful interim career as a business transformation expert, spanning private, public and not for profit sectors. These ranged from complex change programmes through to whole organization turnarounds and high profile projects, including a leadership role in the delivery of the transport operation for the London 2012Olympic and Paralympic games. She has experience of every stage of the organizational lifecycle from start up through to disposals and acquisitions, and has worked in dozens of Executive and CEO roles. Her transformation work is complemented by a varied portfolio of Chair and NED roles, she is a guest lecturer at Oxford Said Business School, public speaker and author. Whilst her experience has real breadth and depth, Julie is struck by the commonality across the hundreds of organizations she has worked with. Regardless of why they are there, how teams and leaders approach their work is a far bigger determinant than what they do. The what is important, but it is the how which is the game changer.

Helen is a gardener, writer and podcaster. She’s just published her first book Grow, Cook, Inspire; Gardening and cooking for a healthier mind and planet.The book encourages everyone to grow their own and eat seasonally, exploring the benefits for our mental and physical wellbeing, and our environment.Helen grew up on a farm on the west coast of Scotland and has experienced first hand the devastating consequences of mental illness, which she has long suffered from.Helen talks openly and honestly about the different strategies and tools she uses to navigate that difficult work life balance, and how gardening has proved vital in her own tool kit.The mother of three worked in media and PR prior to her passion igniting for gardening.

Hannah is the Founder and Co-Director of Headlines Network, a media consultant and journalist with more than two decades of experience working in the international news industry. She is the former CEO of the International News Safety Institute and the Ethical Journalism Network, as well as a sought-after speaker, facilitator, trainer and writer. Hannah co-authored the first study into moral injury and the media for the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism with Professor Anthony Feinstein and has written extensively at the intersection of gender, mental health, physical and online safety. She combines her expertise in journalism with her lived experience of PTSD and surviving sexual assault, to work with newsrooms to create cultures where people feel safer sharing their experiences. She set up Headlines Network in 2021, with the aim of promoting more open conversations around mental health in journalism through a podcast, tips and training. Hannah is also a qualified Mental Health First Aider with MHFA England. She began her career at Reuters, and has worked for other news organisations including The Times, ITV News, Channel 4 News, and the BBC, as a staff and freelance journalist, covering stories including environmental disasters, civil unrest, gender-based violence, sport, politics, climate change, humanitarian crises, and more. Outside her journalism work, she’s an award-winning author of flash fiction and an accomplished marathon runner, having notched up 19 marathons or ultra-marathons, and she finds writing and running hugely beneficial for her mental health.

Since graduating from the University of Glasgow in 2000 with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB Hons), Rupa has been passionate about equity, diversity, inclusion, and wellbeing within the Scottish legal profession. After qualifying in 2003, Rupa specialised in employment law and practised exclusively as a solicitor until I became Director of People & Development at MacRoberts LLP in 2017. She is particularly interested on increasing the representation of individuals from ethnically diverse backgrounds, as well as social mobility issues, within the Scottish legal sector as well as matters of mental health in the workplace. In her current role, and as a member of the Law Society of Scotland’s Equality and Diversity Committee, Rupa has shared her thoughts on such matters at several conferences and events.Rupa is a co-opted member of the Scotland National Advisory committee for Action for Children, a UK children's charity created to help vulnerable children and young people, and their families. Rupa isalso a regular contributor on BBC Scotland on various topics. Rupa also has her own music show on Scotland’s only national Asian radio station, Awaz Fm, and hosts many cultural and charity events.

Rob qualified as a vet from University College Dublin in 2001 and worked as a small animal vet in the UK from graduation until July 2018. He undertook a wide variety of roles including a small animal internship at Glasgow Vet School, a surgery residency in a private referral practice and a clinical director role at Minster Vets in York. Much of his clinical career was spent as an orthopaedic surgeon.Rob started working for VetPartners in 2016 initially developing education initiatives such as the Graduate and Managers Programmes. In 2018 he left clinical practice, joined the People Team at VetPartners and is currently Head of Talent looking after a wide portfolio of activity with particular focus on clinical and professional development in the UK & Europe.Rob’s areas of interest are clinical education, clinical & business leadership, and organisational culture. He has MBA and is a Chartered Manager and Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute.

Tim is a new media entrepreneur and author. He has co-founded several digital media ventures, most notably Junkee Media, one of the leading publishers for Australian millennials that was acquired by the ASX-listed oOh!media in 2016.Tim’s first book, Cult Status: How to Build a Business People Adore, was named the Best Entrepreneurship Book at the 2021 Australian Business Book Awards.His second book, Killer Thinking: How to Turn Good Ideas into Brilliant Ones, explores creativity in the modern workplace, and was named by Apple Books as one of the Top 10 Books of 2022.Tim is the Chairman of the Digital Publishers Alliance, an industry body that represents over two hundred titles from Australia’s leading independent publishers.He currently lives in Europe where he is writing his third book on the future of work.

Lutfur AliSenior Policy Advisor Equality, Diversity, Inclusion and Transformation Lutfur joined the CIPD in October 2021 and is a Non-Executive Director for the Business Continuity Institute (BCI).With a career spanning over three decades in the public, private and third sector, Lutfur has championed the delivery of social justice, equality, diversity, inclusion (EDI) and sustainability in organisations enabling them to become more inclusive, greener, resilient and employers of first choice.Prior to joining the CIPD Lutfur worked in a range of roles in the public, private and not for profit sector including: Director of EDI for the Tribal Group PLC (FTSE500), Head of EDI for the Department of Health, Head of EDI for the London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, Advisor to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Advisor to the National College of School Leadership and Associate to the National College of Policing.Lutfur was also Assistant Chief Executive for Tower Hamlets Council where he led the overall transformation programme reshaping the organisations workforce, securing vital partnerships, improving service delivery, and achieving over 30% efficiency savings while protecting front line services.Lutfur served on several Judicial Inquires and Government Task Forces including for the Zahid Mubarak Inquiry, the Prime Ministers Prevent Task Force and the International Ministerial Working Group on Illegal Working. 

Jackie is an employee benefits consultant for Prosperity Wealth Ltd, who are part of the Fairstone Group.Jackie began in financial services in the 1990’s in her Dads business and in 2002 qualified as an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA) and took the reigns. Her speciality is in workplace benefits and financial education in the workplace, where pensions are typically the most poorly understood product in financial services. Financial education has evolved into helping employers embed financial well-being and financial resilience amongst their workforce, through benefits, support and education.

Fascinating insights into the world of organisations and diversity. Professor Oriane Georgeac is interested in how people respond to organisations’ messages about diversity. Her research offers insights into how organisations’ efforts to support diversity may prevent them from advancing toward their diversity goals. Her work has also won multiple awards, and has been covered by a variety of media outlets, including Harvard Business Review, Forbes, The Economist, The Telegraph, and The Hill. Join us for fascinating insights into the world of organisations and diversity.The Wellbeing Hour is for anybody who's responsible for the wellbeing of colleagues or has an interest in workplace mental health. We interview guest speakers who are experts in their field. We give you the opportunity to hear nuggets of wisdom, ask questions and learn from peers. It's inspiring, thought provoking, and full of practical tips.Learn more about Headtorch by visiting our website - www.headtorch.org.

Sunita Wazir will be sharing her experience of Mental Health and Wellbeing in a large organisation - where do you even begin? Sunita is a Mumbai-based Human Resources and Leadership Development professional who is deeply passionate about Mental Health initiatives in the workplace. While honing her skills in HR Strategy, she is a champion of Mental Health and Wellbeing as well as supporting Diversity and Inclusion initiatives including disability and gender. She is a trained mindfulness and mental health champion and a Korn Ferry certified SOL coach at Unilever. Her purpose is “enabling joy to help others achieve their finish line…”The Wellbeing Hour is for anybody who's responsible for the wellbeing of colleagues or has an interest in workplace mental health. We interview guest speakers who are experts in their field. We give you the opportunity to hear nuggets of wisdom, ask questions and learn from peers. It's inspiring, thought provoking, and full of practical tips.Learn more about Headtorch by visiting our website - www.headtorch.org.

Jane advises both businesses and senior executives across different industries, she’s an expert in dealing with difficult situations in the workplace. Whether you’re an organisation or an individual, she knows the law and will keep you on the right side of it.Jane also regularly trains HR and line managers on how to deal with difficult issues such as performance management and sickness absence.Join us for a really practical and straight forward conversation with top tips on performance management and mental health.

Peter Kelly, as Head of Psychology at The Health & Safety Executive has a proven 24 year track record. He has a deep passion for improving working lives and have people come home safe and healthy from work. In conversation with Peter, we'll hear about - the development of the 6 Management Standards for stress, the impact of technology on our working lives and the perfect stress storm that lies ahead … and ideas to help us navigate it.The Wellbeing Hour is for anybody who's responsible for the wellbeing of colleagues or has an interest in workplace mental health. We interview guest speakers who are experts in their field. We give you the opportunity to hear nuggets of wisdom, ask questions and learn from peers. It's inspiring, thought provoking, and full of practical tips.Learn more about Headtorch by visiting our website - www.headtorch.org.

Professor Denis Fischbacher-Smith is an expert in looking at situations objectively, from all points of view and without ego getting in the way. He's Professor of Risk and Resilience and was Deputy Head of the Business School at The University of Glasgow. He was an expert advisor at the Grenfell Tower Fire Inquiry, and has wide ranging academic interests including (& not limited to) psychology, crisis management, terrorism, war studies, pollution and science.

Naziyah Mahmood is an Aerospace Engineer, an Astrophysicist, a Martial Arts Master, an Equalities Expert and more. 'It's better to be a warrior in a garden, than a gardener in a war'. This old proverb has resonated with me throughout my life, and my journey of self-discipline, self-confidence and self-belief was pivotal in helping me to navigate my way through a world that can be very cruel to those who don't fit within social norms. As a person who ticks a lot of societal 'taboo' boxes, I historically found myself constantly fighting to be accepted into a society that I'm already a part of, and so it became even more important to learn to keep my mind healthy, safe and focussed too.Listen to the Wellbeing Hour and hear Naziyah's fascinating thoughts on acceptance, innovation, thriving and more.

Miles Kean talks about his mental health struggles, how he turned these round and developed a wellbeing programme that positively impacted thousands of employees in the NatWest Group and beyond. His story promises to be inspiring, insightful and thought provoking, as well as giving practical tips on workplace wellbeing programmes.

Paul Sheerin is CEO Scottish Engineering. He has previously held senior and international roles with companies such as Polaroid and B&W Diamond Power. Working at the top levels of international companies led to the inevitable pressures and long hours associated with these roles. Hear Paul's story, what his catalyst was to strive towards a healthy working life and his insights into maintaining this while holding a senior role.

Stephen McAllistair has a wealth of knowledge in applying wellbeing & mental health initiatives in the workplace. He understands how this works and its impact on performance. As a Divisional Commander in Police Scotland he made Wellbeing core to turn round a poor performing division. With a background in psychology and 30 years in the police, he moved through the ranks from a young police officer at the Lockerbie disaster to being an experienced hostage crisis negotiator and leading a division. Currently he's Chair at Lifelink, Trustee at The Samaritans, NHS Board Member & Senior Advisor at Headtorch.