Our Movers and Shakers articles highlight who’s moving up, out or across in the rapidly evolving world of workplace culture, employee health and wellbeing. There have been many significant moves already in 2024. Here are a few that have grabbed my attention.
Dedicated Dame
Top of the list has to be Dame Carol Black. In February this year, Dame Carol was appointed as the Tsar of the Government’s Occupational Health Taskforce. Commenting on her appointment Dame Carol said: “It is a privilege to Chair the new Taskforce which will review occupational health services available to employees across businesses of all shapes and sizes and then create a framework to support better employee health and wellbeing. We will encourage employers to embrace practices that prevent or reduce ill-health related job loss”.
This work could create a real step-change in employee health and wellbeing and we look forward to hearing the recommendations of the Taskforce. I heard on the grapevine that mid-July is the target date although that’s not official. You can read more about it in this feature: “Do you know how to get the best out of your OH? Or is it the missing link?” and on the Government’s website here.
Mind the gap
Our next mover and shaker is Emma Mamo. Having worked at leading mental health charity Mind for 17 years in total, and the past ten in the role of Head of Workplace Wellbeing (minus the eighteen months she spent on secondment at Mind’s sister charity Scottish Action for Mental Health), Emma has started a new chapter in her career.
Commenting on her move on LinkedIn Emma said: “I have got to know, worked alongside and collaborated with so very many inspiring individuals and partners during that time so it is going to be very hard indeed to say goodbye”. She gives a special mention to those in the workplace wellbeing space that she has worked with over the years adding: “Collectively we have transformed workplace culture and we should be very proud of the impact we have had”.
Well said Emma. You can read Emma’s full post and connect with her here.
A dog’s life
If you’ve ever met Vashti Holland, you won’t forget her. With infectious energy, her dedication is boundless. So it’s great to see that, after graduating from The University of Nottingham with an MSc in Workplace Health and Wellbeing at the end of 2023, in early 2024 Vashti was promoted to Employee Wellbeing Lead with charity The Guide Dogs for the Blind Association.
Vashti was also the driving force behind Guide Dogs’ winning entry of the Make A Difference Awards in 2023, where their Guide Dogs’ Wellbeing Buddies Network was the Voters’ Winner of the Champion’s Network category. You can read more about how Guide Dogs approached setting up a wellbeing buddies network here.
Winning cast
I also spotted in February that Gabby Triess, Google’s former Mental Health & Wellbeing Manager EMEA, has started a new position as Wellbeing Manager with Comcast.
Writing on LinkedIn Gabby said: “It’s an honour to be part of this wonderful team whose mission it is to support the wellbeing of all Comcast employees, their families and communities. My focus will be on emotional wellbeing / behavioural health and I honestly can’t think of a more important or more exciting area in the world of work to make myself useful in right now”.
You can read Gabby’s full post here
Global goal
Last but certainly not least, the inimitable Daniel Chan has moved on from his role as Global Workplace and Wellbeing Lead with Dentsu to Senior Wellbeing and Employee Experience Manager – International Markets with QBE insurance.
You can read more about Daniel’s award-winning approach in this profile interview: “Pyschological safety the global challenge” and in this feature: “What do you have to think about when rolling out a wellbeing programme globally?”
There are more movers and shakers I could mention too, but they’ll have to wait until my next roundup…
