Cultural Strategist
In 2020 and 2021, Adah was longlisted as one of the Most Influential Women in UK Technology. In 2019, she was recognised as one of TED Talks Global Emerging Innovators. In 2018, she was recognised as one of the UK’s Top 100 Black and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Leaders in Technology.
Adah takes a philosophical and anthropological approach to technology, merging logic and creativity to design immersive storytelling, learning and development environments. Cultures in which her clients and audiences become critical thinkers, philosophers and immersive storytellers, problem-solvers and innovators.
Adah has over 20 years of experience transforming cultures to nurture decentralised humanity-centred innovation environments. She has worked with businesses and individuals in advertising, education, entertainment, entrepreneurship, marketing, media, and technology start-ups.
Her clients and partnerships have included Google, Unilever, Sainsbury's, Oath, Ogilvy Labs, The British Council, The EU Council, The Tate Modern, the British Film Institute (BFI), The Union Chapel, Burning Man Camp: Playground, ArabNet Dubai, Innovate Finance, Wayra UK, The Friday Club, and Shambala Festival.
VP, Operational Lead UKI/EMEA, Corporate Bank People Strategy, Deutsche Bank
Andy originally trained for a technical career in film and television, but a change of circumstances in 2001 led to him working in the financial services industry.
Following his own lived experience of mental health challenges, Andy has embraced the importance of self-care and mental health awareness in both his professional and personal life. He has taken on a personal mission to do all that he can to help others avoid the same challenges. This lived experience has driven him to make mental health and wellbeing critical topics for discussion and action within the corporate environment.
Andy is a keen motorcyclist and amateur carpenter. He uses both to maintain good mental health and wellbeing, and as a way to bring balance to the unsettling and stressful times that 2020 brought about.
Andy has worked in partnership with MHFA England® since 2018, leading the adoption of MHFA® training within his workplace and ensuring that the mental health of employees stays firmly on the agenda. He joined MHFA England as a non-executive director with an enthusiasm to bring both workplace learnings and personal experiences to the table to help drive the vision to improve the mental health of the nation.
Chief Operating Officer, National Infrastructure Commission
Charlotte is the Chief Operating Officer at the National Infrastructure Commission, an Arm’s Length Body of HM Treasury who provide impartial, expert advice to government on major long-term infrastructure challenges. Charlotte has held this post since May 2019. Prior to this, Charlotte spent seven years at KPMG delivering audit and assurances services across the public and not-for-profit sectors, working with clients in the government, health, and charity sectors.
Charlotte is a Chartered Accountant. She completed her accountancy training at the Audit Commission, where she delivered external audit and value for money reviews for local government and health sector clients.
Alongside her executive role, Charlotte was appointed as a Magistrate in 2018. She serves in Bexley and Bromley Magistrates Courts, a role in which she sees directly the effect of poor mental health on those within the justice system.
Charlotte is a MHFAider®. She is passionate about championing mental wellbeing in the workplace and the benefits this brings to individuals and employers. Charlotte has gained extensive experience in supporting those with mental health challenges throughout her career. Prior to becoming an accountant, Charlotte began her career answering 999 calls for the Ambulance Service, a role where she experienced the impact of the current mental health crisis on individuals and the wider community.
In her current role, Charlotte leads on all people matters, with a particular focus on mental health to protect and promote both individual and organisational wellbeing.
Non-executive Director and Trustee - The Employers' Network for Equality and Inclusion, Aequitas Global, and Sutton Music Hub
Tom is a Non-executive Director and Trustee at The Employers' Network for Equality and Inclusion, Aequitas Global, and Sutton Music Hub. He is also a part-time secondary school teacher.
Before starting Be Less Beige, Tom was Chair and CEO of Chameleon, a specialist public relations and marketing agency, which was named B2B PR Agency of the Year and the UK's Best Agency to Work For during his tenure.
Tom’s passions include fighting the stigma of mental health in communications, creating brilliant places to work and collecting records.