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 Panelists

Our 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 Farm

Jane 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 Water

Susan 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 HR

Mark 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