Mental health and wellbeing conference 2025

Professor Binna Kandola is a business psychologist with over 40 years of experience and a deep passion for diversity and inclusion. The author of 12 books exploring a range of diversity topics, including gender, race, disability, and LGBTQ+ issues, his upcoming 13th book focuses on psychological safety. As senior partner and co-founder of Pearn Kandola, Binna was awarded an OBE for services to diversity and disadvantaged people. An award-winning author, he has won a global award for his impactful social media campaigns.

Antony is the area lead for Merseyside and North West at Andy’s Man Club. He’s been in the role for a year now after getting the job having been a facilitator in the charity. Before this he was a user of Andy’s Man Club.

Former estate agent and housewife, Debbie Harris has been an innovator in the care sector for over a decade. Six years ago, she launched Autumna.co.uk – Rightmove for care homes – which is now the UK’s largest and most detailed directory of care providers for the elderly. Designed to support people during what is often a very stressful time, the platform received over 2.5 million visitors last year. Her free advice line – open 7 days a week – handles over 3,000 enquiries from care seekers every month.

Mohinder Singh-Bal, Contract Manager at DWP, is the spark behind the Sikhs in DWP Network and a board member of the Faith & Belief Network. With years of expertise and a heart full of service, he’s championing inclusion and authenticity at work. His passion’s taken him inside No.10 – twice! As a carer for his wife and daughter, he finds strength in his Sikh faith and in hearing others’ stories. His journey is one of compassion, connection, and creating spaces where everyone feels they truly belong.

Georgie Frayne is a Senior Account Manager at Carers UK, where she’s spent the past four years supporting public and third sector organisations to enhance their digital support for carers. Having a sister with special needs, she has personal insight into the challenges of caring and the profound impact it has on families. This lived experience drives her passion for improving services for unpaid carers.

Bianca Jones is Managing Director of EDP Training and an Associate Instructor with MHFA England. Since 2016, she has specialised in mental health and anti-racism education, creating the Race Ahead and Race Aware programmes to support organisations in tackling racism and building psychologically safe workplaces. Her passion stems from addressing the mental health disparities faced by racially minoritised people. With over 1,000 learners trained, Bianca combines lived experience, professional expertise and practical strategies to drive lasting cultural change.

Ros is a mental health nurse and systemic practitioner with over 29 years’ experience in eating disorders. She has developed and delivered training across health, education, and charity sectors, and worked with Health Education England and Beat to create e-learning and resources for professionals and carers. Ros has held senior NHS roles including Clinical Manager, Carers Lead, CAMHS Pathway Lead and FREED Co-ordinator, and is currently a trainer for the Charlie Waller Trust, Beat, and the Priory Group.

George has worked in the Civil Service for nine years and was a founding member of the Civil Service Eating Disorders Network when she worked in the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy in 2018. She has lived experience of eating disorders and has working with NHS England on the rollout of their FREED service, an early intervention service for 16-25 year olds suffering from eating disorders.

Meredith is Head of Office for Skills England, an executive agency of the Department for Education (DfE). Prior to this, she worked in positions across DfE and the Department for Transport. She sits on the Organising Committee for the Civil Service Eating Disorders Network and Chairs the Business Support Team Network. Prior to working in government, her work focused on supporting those facing challenging circumstances, including developing policy for young carers, and providing mental health support for students and adults. She’s an advocate for reducing the stigma of mental health in the Civil Service and workplace.

Dr Annie Clements (hons) is the founder and CEO of the multi award winning not for profit Autism and ADHD. As someone who is ADHD herself, and also has a neurodivergent family, she is well placed to deliver support and training across all areas of the community and feels privileged to be able to connect with families and individuals globally. She loves an adventure and is always looking for new experiences and opportunities to travel.

Nik Holmes is a psychologist and researcher with HM Land Registry where they co-founded the Spectrum Neurodiversity Network, which provides training, support and advice for all HMLR staff. They are a member of the Government Occupational Psychology Profession and studying towards a Masters in Occupational and Organisational Psychology. As an autistic, they enjoy their special interests which they insist on telling their colleagues about, ensuring that HM Land Registry is now not only knowledgeable about land transactions but also capybaras…

Dame Lesley Regan is Professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at Imperial College’s St Mary’s Hospital Campus, and Honorary Consultant in Gynaecology at the Imperial College NHS Trust. She continues her clinical practice in reproductive medicine with particular expertise in menstrual health, recurrent miscarriage and the menopause. She is a non-executive director on the board of NHS Resolution and an advisor on women’s health to the Evelina Hospital group at GSST NHS Trust. She was awarded a DBE for services to women’s health in the 2020 New Year’s Honours List.
Mark works part-time and lives by the sea on the North Norfolk coast.

Dave was the Director of Communications and External Affairs at Anxiety UK. He was responsible for overseeing all aspects of communications, media and public relations, member and supporter communications, podcasts and webinars focused on the promotion of the services available from Anxiety UK for people with a range of anxiety, stress and anxiety-based depression conditions. Dave also oversaw internal and external training, IT, website, app development, social media and special projects. He is now a freelance associate for Anxiety UK.

Freya is an Admiral Nurse that works for Dementia UK. She has been working in dementia care for over 20 years. She has worked across many different fields, including the NHS, private sector as well as other charities. Freya had an unusual childhood as her parents ran a residential home and she lived there with the residents up until going to university at 18. So dementia had always been a feature of her life. She also has personal experience as her grandmother passed away from Vascular Dementia 10 years ago.

Lisa works in the Wellbeing Team for the Charity for Civil Servants and has been involved in promoting the Charity’s services, working with applicants one-to-one and liaising with partner organisations. She’s also part of the Charity’s MHFA team. Lisa works closely with the carers’ networks which connects well with her personal experience of caring. She is fluent in British Sign Language and has been able to use this to support deaf civil servants.

Karen is a supervisor in the Money Advice Team for the Charity for Civil Servants. She has worked for the Charity for seven years and is a member of the Institute of Money Advisers. She provides advice to applicants throughout the UK on budgeting, managing money and dealing with debts. Karen previously worked for a housing charity in Northern Ireland for nine years providing advice and court representation to people who were at risk of losing their home due to rent or mortgage arrears.

Pete is the Business Manager at Boundless, where he helps people discover the benefits of membership. He has strong public sector roots – his dad was a civil servant, his mum was a nurse, and his wife is a teacher. He was also a teacher himself, so appreciates the dedication and challenges faced by public service workers. He’s come to really value the importance of maintaining self-care, a healthy work-life balance and making time for the people who matter most. And a little personal trivia: he met his wife on an eight-hour flight to Mexico!

Data-driven and insight-led, Matt Phelan co-founded The Happiness Index. He helps companies link culture to performance, drawing on insights from millions of employees globally. With insights from over 37 million data points, he helps organisations connect culture and performance. Matt hosts The Happiness Index podcast, is a sought-after international speaker, and authored the influential books “Freedom To Be Happy” and “The Happiness Index”.

Michelle is currently responsible for delivering all Active Wellbeing campaigns, initiatives and events. Utilising her extensive knowledge of customer insights and habits, Michelle has dramatically increased engagement, ensuring far greater brand recognition, retention, and value. A real champion of wellbeing inside and out of work.