MINDFORWARD ALLIANCE - Key Persons
Ahmed is the former president of Microsoft Asia and has over 25 years of experience in the technology sector ranging from client management, global delivery of business process transformation, and various functional and operational leadership roles focused on global growth.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer
- Global CEO
Alison is responsible for setting the overall vision and strategy for MindForward Alliance, along with the executive management of all company operations.
Alison oversees all business operations and MindForward Alliance activities to ensure they produce outcomes that are consistent with the overall strategy and mission, as well as aligned with organisation values. Alison's role is instrumental in setting the standards for workplace mental health globally, through leadership of our Thriving at Work programmes.
Alison has over 25 years' experience gained in both operational and specialist global HR leadership roles across professional services, retail and STEM industries working for employers such as law firm Hogan Lovells, the John Lewis Partnership and BAE Systems plc. She is a subject matter expert in the field of diversity, inclusion, and workplace wellbeing.
Alison has two children and a dog which keeps her busy outside of her work. Alison enjoys Pilates, walking the dog, tennis and reading.
Job Titles:
- Programme Manager, Leadership Pledge
Ashleigh leads on the development and delivery of our Leadership Pledge Programme, to engage senior leaders in workplace mental health.
Before joining MindForward Alliance Ashleigh led, designed, and implemented Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and mental health initiatives while working with global organisations such as Shell and Facebook.
Her international experience spans various sectors including large corporations, consultancies, charities, and non-governmental organisations based in the United Kingdom, South Africa, and Ethiopia.
Outside of work, Ashleigh enjoys pursuing her faith, spending time with her family and friends and travelling. She serves as a trustee of Life & Soul a charity delivering one-to-one mentoring and resilience workshops in schools to children and young people aged 5-18.
Brian joined Lansdowne Partners in January 2021 as Co-Managing Partner and is the Chair of the Management Committee. Brian has over 30 years' experience in global financial markets, investment banking and asset management.
Ed is Chief Commercial Officer at GSS and has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry as a regulator, consultant and in senior management roles within financial institutions.
Job Titles:
- Training and Programme Lead
Ellen leads on the delivery of MindForward Alliance's global training and supports the delivery of our UK programme. She works closely with clients to ensure smooth and successful delivery of training programmes, leads on training impact and evaluation, and supports on the ongoing development of our course offering. She also leads on logistics for our UK programme and works closely with our Head of Workplace Wellbeing (UK) on event comms and resources.
Ellen's background is in the arts and health sector, primarily focused on arts for wellbeing. She was previously a Fellow at The Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, working on a research project to support adults in health and social care settings through arts-based programmes, as well as in social enterprise development. Prior to this, she worked as the Charity Coordinator at Arts for Dementia, where she ran a weekly programme for people living with dementia and their carers.
Outside of work, Ellen spends her time out in nature, as well as reading, knitting, and undertaking any other creative pursuits she can get involved in.
Job Titles:
- Director, External Affairs
Farimah has responsibility for supporting on the delivery MindForward Alliance strategy and programme activity, including helping to set programme content, working with members on research projects and impact measurement. She also supports external relations for the organisation, including branding and digital.
Before MindForward Alliance U.K., Farimah led on delivering strategic communications and campaigns for organisations such as Versus Arthritis, the BBC, Legal & General and BT.
Outside of work, Farimah loves running, yoga and cooking to keep her mental health. She is also kept busy being a social secretary for her three children.
Fran recently left his role as founding President and Chief Executive Officer of the International Initiative for Mental Health Leadership (IIMHL) and International Initiative for Disability Leadership (IIDL), which he helped organize in 2003.
Job Titles:
- Director, Workplace Programmes
Hannah leads the delivery of the MindForward Alliance Global Membership Programme.
Prior to joining MindForward Alliance as a communication manager in 2018, Hannah had a strong background in communications and public relations across multiple sectors.
Outside of work, Hannah is a trained sports psychologist based in Vancouver, Canada. Hannah enjoys reading, staying active (with several Ironman under her belt) and spending time with her family.
Job Titles:
- Senior Training Consultant
Jaan supports the design and delivery of the Global training and workforce development programmes at MindForward Alliance. His skills lie in translating our members/ clients needs into globally relevant, skills based learning programmes. Jaan also supports our members/clients to embed their global training programmes, enabling them to create the conditions for sustainable behaviour and culture change.
Jaan has always worked in developing healthier communities. For the last 12 years in supporting workplaces to develop mentally healthier workforce. Prior to this he managed services in social care, mental health and young people support services.
Outside of work, Jaan loves to travel and explore new cultures and communities.
Jo manages our accounts function, including completion of any customer procurement procedures. Jo is responsible for the payment of invoices and resolving any resulting queries; plus any credit control if required.
John is a former Deloitte Partner and now a qualified CBT Coach having been awarded a Diploma from the City CBT College in June 2014. For the last 10 years he has provided advice and coaching services to over 600 individuals within Deloitte who feel they might be suffering from stress related issues. He has also provided CBT based coaching support to over 75 often senior, practitioners across the City. Mainly from legal and other professional services firms, as well as corporates in the financial services industry, media and other sectors.
John is CEO of the UK Infrastructure Bank and former Global Chief Executive of HSBC. John is a leading advocate for mentally healthy business cultures and the role of leadership in making that happen.
Job Titles:
- Head of Training and Administration
Kate works with the Head of Training Development to create our range of mental health courses and ensures the smooth delivery of our training programme. Kate also manages all the administrative requirements for MindForward Alliance members and those of our global executive team.
Previously, Kate was Head of Conferences & Training at the National Autistic Society. She retains a keen interest in supporting neurodiversity within our workplaces and communities through the Autism Learns webinar series, which she helps to organise, and The Autism Show for which she helps to research and develop the programme of speakers.
Outside of her work, Kate loves to walk her dog (who will sometimes join in on video calls), attempt to play badminton, sing and take part in amateur dramatics.
Maranda manages the schedule of the Executive Vice Chair Poppy Jaman and the Global CEO Alison Unsted, as well as providing support to team administration activities.
Maranda is an experienced executive assistant with over 20 years of experience supporting high-level executives, stemming from her passion for helping people and making sure that everyone is happy and comfortable.
Maranda is the mother of two daughters, as well as an avid Rugby fan (watching, not playing!) Outside of work, she loves reading novels and walking her dog in the Meadows.
Job Titles:
- Executive Vice Chair
- Founder
- Founder and Executive Vice Chair
Poppy is the Founder of MindForward Alliance and leads on the expansion and closer integration of the Alliance.
Poppy Jaman is responsible for strengthening, aligning and growing MindForward Alliance globally. Her focus is on achieving closer integration between the existing regions, while working with businesses and partners to grow the workplace mental health network into new regions.
Before MindForward Alliance UK, Poppy was the Founder and CEO of Mental Health First Aid England . She led the development of the organisation from a small government initiative into an independent community interest company, recognised as one of the fastest-growing SMEs in Europe by the Financial Times (FT) in 2017. Poppy was also an advisor on the Board of Public Health England for six years and played a key role in the creation of the NHS's Every Mind Matters platform. In 2018, Poppy was awarded an OBE in recognition of her outstanding achievements in the mental health sector.
Poppy is a proud British Bengali and saree enthusiast, supporting sustainable fashion and artisans in South Asia. However, above all else, her personal point of pride is her family; she is the mother of four incredible children.
Job Titles:
- Director, Leadership Pledge ( Maternity Leave )
Robyn leads The Leadership Pledge Programme at MindForward Alliance, working in partnership with leading businesses to advocate for - and accelerate positive action on workplace mental health globally. Her skills lie in strategy development and delivery , working collaborative ly with stakeholders to deliver impactful programmes to create positive societal change. Robyn also sits on the Management team at MindForward Alliance .
Over the course of her career, Robyn has developed and delivered successful national and global campaigns and initiatives focused on inclusion and mental health, working with businesses , governments, and charities . Robyn previously spearheaded the This is Me campaign and The Green Ribbon campaign to reduce the stigma on mental health at work . Robyn started her career working on gender and livelihood programming in International development.
Outside of work, Robyn is passionate about social justice and her faith . She also enjoys travel, playing tennis, spending time with her family - and cuddles with her Cavapoo Luna.
Susan is CEO of EIDA (Employers' Initiative on Domestic Abuse). Prior to joining EIDA, Susan Bright was a partner at global law firm, Hogan Lovells, for more than 20 years.
Vicki manages the delivery of MindForward Alliance's programme of events and the annual Summit. She works with member organisations to identify their priority areas and collaborates with them to deliver events that support these priorities. Her skills lie in executing the delivery of diverse, creative thought leadership events, ensuring they run smoothly and leave a lasting impact.
Prior to MindForward Alliance, Vicki led the global CSR programme at one of the world's largest asset management firms; she also brings over 20 years of experience managing corporate events in the financial services sector to her role.
Outside of her work, she loves family life. Vicki is mum to a teenage daughter and an Irish Water Spaniel called Hendrix. She also serves as director of music festivals in the UK, Rye Jazz & Blues Festival and Sidmouth Jazz and Blues Festival.