WAW Logo Summit White


Manchester Agenda

Thursday 17th September 2026

venue to be announced shortly - Central Manchester

08:30 – 09:30

Registration, Networking, Meeting and Connections

09:30 – 09:40

Welcome and Setting the Scene from your Summit Co-chairs

WAW Logo Mark
WAW Logo Mark
09:30 – 09:40
Mark Rix Pic new small sq-3

Mark Rix Pic new small sq-3
WAW Logo Mark
Mark Rix
CEO, Sonas Group, (Wellbeing at Work)
WAW Logo Mark
09:30 – 09:40
cat sq

cat sq
WAW Logo Mark
Cat Douglas
Director of Partnerships, Global, Wellbeing at Work
WAW Logo Mark
09:40 – 10:30

Leadership Panel – Driving Performance in a Changing World: From Wellbeing to Workforce Advantage

What leadership behaviours and cultural signals sustain wellbeing and performance in hybrid, AI-enabled workplaces? How can wellbeing be embedded as a seamless, data-informed experience across the entire employee lifecycle? How do organisations shift from wellbeing provision to building workforce capability, adaptability, and growth? How can wellbeing be leveraged as a strategic driver of resilience, retention, and innovation in times of rapid change?
Wendy Doherty

Wendy Doherty
Talktalk-logo-grey-600x315 sq
Wendy Doherty
Chief People Officer, Talk Talk
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Claus Madsen small sq

Claus Madsen small sq
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation
Claus Madsen
Chief People Officer, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation
Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation
Ann-Marie Coulthurst,

Ann-Marie Coulthurst,
Murphy & Sons Ltd
Ann-Marie Coulthurst
Head of Health & Wellbeing, J Murphy & Sons Ltd
Murphy & Sons Ltd
Louise Rogerson

Louise Rogerson
dwf
Louise Rogerson
Chief People Officer, DWF
dwf
Kim Kerr small sq

Kim Kerr small sq
Hilti-Logo small sq
Moderated by Kim Kerr
Head of People, Hilti (GB) Ltd
Hilti-Logo small sq
10:30 – 11:00
Dr Katie Green small sq

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?
Dr Katie Green small sq
Manchester Metropolitan University small sq
Dr. Katie Green PhD, BA, MA
Senior Lecturer in Leadership, Centre for Decent Work and Productivity, Manchester Metropolitan University
Manchester Metropolitan University small sq
11:00 – 11:30

Morning Networking Break

11:30 – 11:55
Saif-250x249

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?
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Omantel-Logo-2
Saif Al Abri
General Manager – People Experience, Omantel
Omantel-Logo-2
11:55 – 12:25
Janet Leighton work sq

Fireside Chat – Colleague Happiness and Leading the Wellbeing Charge

• How do organisations create a culture of happiness that ensures workplaces are awesome, healthy, and equitable places where wellbeing is a strategic priority?
Janet Leighton work sq
Timpson small sq
Janet Leighton
Director of Happiness, Timpson
Timpson small sq
12:25 – 13:25

Hosted Leadership Workshops

1. MentallyPro

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Mentall Pro small sq

2. Vitality

vitality
vitality

additional weorkshops to be announced shortly

13:25 – 14:15

Networking Lunch

14:15 – 14:30

Music in Offices Choir

Music in Offices works with organisations to harness the proven power of music to improve wellbeing, performance and connection at work. Founded in 2007, the company operates across four core pillars, choirs, lessons, workshops and events. These actively engage office workers and embed music into everyday working life. Sitting at the intersection of arts, science and business, MIO’s music activities have a positive impact on stress reduction, mental health, focus and social cohesion. Through structured frameworks rather than one-off experiences, Music in Offices helps organisations build resilient, creative and human-centred workplace cultures for long-term growth and engagement.
MIO Logo 4 Pillars
MIO Logo 4 Pillars
14:30 - 15:15

Leadership Panel: Music In Offices

Tessa Marchington small sq

Tessa Marchington small sq
MIO Logo 4 Pillars
Tessa Marchington
CEO, Music in Offices
MIO Logo 4 Pillars

Additional speakers to be announced shortly
15:15 - 16:00

Leadership Panel: Designing Wellbeing with Inclusion in Mind

How do you deliver wellbeing that truly works across hybrid, multi-generational and neurodiverse workforces? What does inclusivity mean for women’s wellbeing in the workplace? What means are available to better accommodate those with disabilities at organizations today? What can employers do to ensure true inclusion combines belongingness and the valuing of individual uniqueness? What should be done about culture from the perspective of inter-generational workers? How can organizations create non-discriminatory work processes and policies? How do communities in organizations help create a culture of inclusion and thriving together?
Beverley Markland sq

Beverley Markland sq
Constellia
Beverley Markland
People Director, Constellia
Constellia
Neelam Yousaf small sq

Neelam Yousaf small sq
Endeavour Learning Trust
Neelam Yousaf
Director of People, Endeavour Learning Trust
Endeavour Learning Trust
Simone Robinson new small sq

Simone Robinson new small sq
GKN-Aerospace-250x250
Simone Robinson
Global, Diversity, Equity & Belonging Manager, GKN Aerospace
GKN-Aerospace-250x250
Viki Bryant

Viki Bryant
cundall
Viki Bryant
Head of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Cundall
cundall
16:00 - 16:15

Networking Break

16:15 - 16:40

Session to be announced shortly

16:40 – 16:50
Mark Rix Pic new small sq-3

Closing Remarks

Mark Rix Pic new small sq-3
WAW Logo Mark
Mark Rix
CEO, Sonas Group, Wellbeing at Work
WAW Logo Mark
16:50 – 18:00

Networking Reception