Manchester Agenda
Thursday 25th September 2025
The Bridgewater Hall, Lower Mosley St, Manchester M2 3WS
08:00 – 09:00
Registration, Networking, Meetings and Connections
09:00 – 09:20
Welcome and Setting the Scene



Mark Rix
Group Managing Director, Sonas Group, Wellbeing at Work


Co-Chair


Obehi Alofoje
Director, Aurora, Inc.


Co-Chair


Ngozi Weller
Director, Aurora, Inc.

09:20 – 09:30

Host Venue Welcome

Francesca Fagotto
Conference and Events Deputy Manager, The Bridgewater Hall
09:30 – 10:10
The C-Suite Panel: The Role of the boardroom in the Wellbeing Charge
Speakers to be confirmed
10:10 – 10:35
The Power of Early Engagement
What does the research reveal that shows the earlier we engage people, the bigger impact it has on things like health insurance premiums, the cost of GP visits and premiums?
10:35 – 11:05
Morning Networking Break
11:05 – 11:40
Panel: The Role of Wellbeing as the Power Behind Organisational Performance
- What is the association between workplace wellbeing and company performance? Beyond ROI, what are the true measures of wellbeing on performance? Where does emotional insight fit when building positive workplace cultures for business impact? What is the value of designing wellbeing programs as integrated experiences that are embedded throughout the employee journey? How can employers truly help people thrive and grow?



Abi Wall
Chief People Officer, eEnergy




Kim Kerr
Head of People, Hilti (Great Britain) Ltd




Craig Redihough
Group Belonging & Wellbeing Manager, SKY




Cheryl Grainger
Head of Human Resources, Amaze Hotels




Kane Joyce
Head of Workforce Strategy, Manchester City Council

11:40 – 12:05

Financial Wellbeing Session
Session details to be confirmed


Speaker to be confirmed

12:05 – 12:30

The Paradox of Mental Health – Solutions and NOT Problems!
The paradox of mental health refers to the contradiction where increased awarenessand treatment options for mental health issues coexist with rising rates of mentalillness and distress. Despite efforts to reduce stigma, improve access to care, andpromote well-being, many businesses continue to see worsening mental healthtrends, particularly among young people. The session will take participants through the complex reasons and outline a simple strategy for overcoming and reversing the trends.


Personify Health

12.30 - 13.30
Hosted Leadership Workshops
1 - Personify Health


2 - Smart About Health


3 - Thrive


4 - Aurora


13.30 - 14.30
Networking Lunch
14:30 – 14:40
Audience Energiser to kick off the afternoon
14:40 – 15:05
Why Not I? How Aspiration & Inspiration Shape Mindset & Mental Wellbeing



Kofi Josephs
Professional Basketball Player & Founder, Why Not I


Followed by Q&A with


Chris Cummings
Chris Cummings, Group CEO, Wellbeing at Work

14:55 – 15:35
Panel: Beyond the Backlash - Creating Inclusive Workplaces
What means are available to better accommodate those of us who are not neurotypical? How do employers ensure their wellbeing efforts are meeting the needs of differing employee groups and identities? What are some examples that show why wellbeing needs to be addressed from an equity standpoint? What should be done about culture from the perspective of inter-generational workers?



Clare Stephens
VP Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, UK, NTT




Simone Robinson
Global, Diversity, Equity & Belonging Manager, GKN Aerospace




Hayley Ross
Head of Human Resources, Salford City Council




Kristina Adey-Davies
Global Head of Wellbeing & Inclusion, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer


Your Epert Panel Chair:


Ngozi Weller
Director, Aurora Inc

15:35 - 15:55
Networking Break
15:55 - 16:30
Fireside Chat:
Menopause Awareness and the Importance of Educating Leaders



Rebekah Brown
Founder & Head of Research MPOWDER




Mark Rix
Group Managing Director, Sonas Group, (Wellbeing at Work)

16:30 – 16:45
Closing Remarks



Mark Rix
Group Managing Director, Sonas Group, Wellbeing at Work


Co-Chair


Ngozi Weller
Director, Aurora Inc


Co-Chair


Obehi Alofoje
Director, Aurora Inc

16:45 – 17:30