A management consultant with a background in health and wellbeing consulting in the private healthcare sector, she has over 25 years’ experience in the design and delivery of all elements of employee wellbeing includes the measurement of pressure and stress, the delivery of team led approaches to productivity, energy management and resiliency and creating a culture for sustainable high performance. Previous clients include Unilever, Mars, GlaxoSmithKline and AstraZeneca.
She is co-author with the late Dr Stephen Williams of “Dangerous Waters – Strategies for Improving Wellbeing at Work”, published by John Wiley & Sons and “Managing Workplace Stress – a best practice blueprint” published by CBI Books. She is a regular speaker, both in the UK and overseas, on the subjects of occupational stress, team and personal resilience, energy management and managing pressure for sustainable high performance.
I am a management consultant with over 25 years’ experience in the design and delivery of all elements of employee wellbeing management programmes. In 1997 I founded WorkingWell, an award-winning specialist consultancy focussing on employee wellbeing and sustainable high performance. WorkingWell was shortlisted for “Best Wellbeing Service Provider” at the Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards 2021.
I am also the co-author with the late Dr Stephen Williams of “Dangerous Waters – Strategies for Improving Wellbeing at Work”, published by John Wiley & Sons and “Managing Workplace Stress – a best practice blueprint” published by CBI Books.
Absolutely not! I graduated from University in the 1980’s and there was less expectation then to know what you wanted to do as a career. I always knew that I wanted to be financially independent and to take ownership and responsibility for my personal and professional development but didn’t know at that stage exactly where to start the process.
I have been very fortunate to work for some great companies and I have learnt a lot from colleagues, mentors, managers and clients. The challenges I have faced have been more social than professional – the logistical complexities of performing at a high level at work whilst also being fully present for my family has, in retrospect, been the greatest contest. To start with I think I tended to do what most women do, which is try and shoe-horn conflicting responsibilities into the crumbs of time that appear when you are focussed on one set of responsibilities to the exclusion of the other. Despite having a female prime minister, it still wasn’t the norm (as it is now) for females to try and re-establish their careers after maternity leave. There were times, when I was building the business, that the perennially present feeling of short-changing someone became overwhelming. Somehow, I always managed to square the circle and uncover the energy to keep going, but I won’t deny that there were times when I considered giving in.
This is hard for me to answer, as everything the business has achieved has been a joint effort by my wonderful team. I guess I could say that I am proud to have led our enterprise sufficiently well to hold our own in an increasingly crowded marketplace (many huge consultancies have developed employee wellbeing arms as lucrative additions to their core operation) and grow the business pretty much every year for past 25 years, whilst being continuously present and engaged with every aspect of my three children’s lives. Oh, that and qualifying as a private pilot in 2008 – that felt quite a big thing at the time!
As above, I have been privileged to work with enormously talented and inspirational people, whose insight and expertise has enriched my own thinking and enabled me to experiment with different solutions to our client’s needs. Philosophically I know I have an inherently positive outlook and a tendency to control that which can be controlled! I am however also a big fan of temperance in the face of what cannot be directly influenced – preferring to adapt my response to something that will produce a good outcome for all parties. In our constantly changing, do more with less world, this approach, along with a good deal of ‘if that won’t work what will?’ has stood me and the company in good stead over the years.
As someone who has benefited directly from working with those whose knowledge and experience exceeds my own, I am a big fan of mentoring and, as we have a coaching arm to our business, we are regularly involved in coaching.
Now there’s a simple question with only complex answers! It has been said so many times before, but it really does start with seeing yourself as an equal and pushing back on the very many ways that self-confidence can be undermined. Be brave, be bold and take the interpersonal risks necessary to model the behaviour you want to see reflected in others.
Back yourself from the ‘get-go’ but do it with humility. Sometimes sounding enthused and authoritative gets interpreted (by those that want to see it that way) as arrogance, so the humility is important. It does however need to be balanced by a genuine belief in the contribution you have to make – that your point of view and insight is as valuable as the next person’s – even if they have more experience than you (and/or are a man!)
I have a (very) big birthday approaching and coming to terms with reaching what was once considered retirement age for a female feels like the biggest challenge ahead! However, I will be following the advice that our whole family follows which is to ‘look-up and over the jump’. You don’t know what is over the hurdle, but the chances are the ground is at least as firm as it is on this side, so keep your focus up and keep going!
April
23apr12:0013:00The Perfect CV Masterclass | WeAreTheCity & City CV
23/04/2025 12:00 - 13:00(GMT+01:00)
WeAreTheCity & City CV are thrilled to present
Your CV is the passport to your professional future. The right one will bypass the technology and the initial 5-second human scan to earmark you for your target role. Isn’t that what a great CV is all about?
Writing your own CV doesn’t come naturally. Everyone benefits from fresh eyes, perspective and industry insight. Your CV must articulate your distinctive skills and attributes in a way that shows the value you bring to your future employer. With fewer open roles in the market, it’s never been more important to understand what recruiters look for in a CV, overhaul your CV and have your burning questions answered.
In this one-hour masterclass, learn CV writing tips and strategies from Victoria McLean, Founder and CEO of City CV – and a career industry expert, award winning CV writer and coach, who has helped over 20,000 candidates secure their dream role. Victoria has developed a nuanced and strategic approach, fusing market knowledge with a deep understanding of recruitment techniques to help build your brand and create a compelling CV story.
Learn how to create a strong and authentic CV which will get you noticed for the right reasons. Expertise and insider knowledge gathered from years of international CV writing and recruiting will be shared, including:
Looking for more career support? Explore our Career Resources page. Ready to take the next step? Browse the latest opportunities on our Job Board and find your perfect role today!
24apr10:0010:45Menopause & Mental Health | Free Taster Session
24/04/2025 10:00 - 10:45(GMT+01:00)
Menopause can have a profound impact on mental health – but too often, this is misunderstood, overlooked, or even ignored in professional environments. While organisations are
The truth is, for many women and those experiencing menopause, symptoms can go far beyond hot flushes. Brain fog, anxiety, low mood, and sleep disruption can affect confidence, performance, and overall mental health. Without the right support in place, these challenges can lead to increased absenteeism, presenteeism, or even cause people to leave the workforce altogether.
This 45-minute session is designed to change that. It’s a practical, supportive space for managers, HR professionals and wellbeing leads to build the confidence to spot the signs, open up conversations and create a culture where no one has to suffer in silence.
Whether you’re at the beginning of this journey or looking to strengthen your organisation’s approach, this session will help you better understand the mental health impact of menopause – and empower you to respond with empathy and confidence.
You’ll walk away with:
✅ A clearer understanding of how menopause can affect mental health in the workplace
✅ Confidence to recognise when someone may be struggling – and how to offer support
✅ A simple, effective approach to starting wellbeing conversations that make a difference
DATE: Thursday 24 April 2025
TIME: 10:00 AM – 10:45 AM
This isn’t about becoming an expert – it’s about showing up, listening, and learning how to create an environment where people feel seen, heard and supported.
Because when organisations take menopause seriously, everyone benefits.
Let’s start the conversation.
29apr11:4514:00Women in Business Networking - London networking - London City
29/04/2025 11:45 - 14:00(GMT+01:00)
The Anthologist
58 Gresham Street, London, EC2V 7BB
Kick off your 2025 in style by networking with us. A fabulous mix of formal & informal networking over a facilitated business lunch
WIBN networking is here to create a platform for like-minded women, who passionately drive their business forward and collaborate with others to help them achieve success.
WIBN is a business network organisation for women business owners and employed professionals, who network each month over a facilitated business lunch. Our members support and encourage each other through collaboration and the sharing of business contacts and opportunities. The meetings are structured and effective, whilst also being supportive and friendly!
As Women Business Owners we know that one person can transform your business but think what you could achieve with a tribe of supportive and passionate business owners?? At WIBN we recognise that often women lack relevant networking opportunities simply because they network in a different way to men!
Our monthly meetings are a fabulous mix of formal and informal networking which includes your own 60 secs pitch, a focused spotlight session from a member and lunch.Our philosophy in this group is simple – No sister left behind! Come along to our WIBN group as a visitor and experience the potential to grow your business in a more productive way.
WIBN has a professional exclusivity policy so it’s one profession per group – see below * . As long as your profession is not already represented you would be welcome to visit a group twice before deciding if you want to join.
WIBN is a monthly membership group and a 12 month commitment will be required after you have visited a maximum of two times. Full details and prices will be given at the meeting.
*in the event that your profession is already represented at your chosen meeting then the organiser saves the right to propose another place or date. If we cannot relocate you then a full refund will be given.
30apr10:0016:00Women's Health Champion Course (CPD Accredited)
30/04/2025 10:00 - 16:00(GMT+01:00)
Periods, menopause,
They’re everyday realities for millions of women and they directly impact performance, engagement and retention.
But stigma, silence and a lack of knowledge mean many managers and HR professionals don’t know how to spot the signs or have the right conversations.
It’s time to change that.
Our Women’s Health Champion Training is designed to break the silence and build real, practical support in your organisation – every single day.
Delivered by two expert trainers, this engaging course covers:
✅ Menstrual health and managing period-related challenges
✅ Fertility, pregnancy, and baby loss (including returning to work)
✅ Gynaecological conditions like endometriosis, fibroids and PCOS
✅ Menopause and long-term wellbeing
✅ Practical strategies to create a truly inclusive culture
Date: Wednesday 30th April 2025
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Place: Zoom
Cost: £495 per person
Or get in touch if you’d like us to create a bespoke course for your organisation.