Meet The 2026 Panellists

Find details about our three panel sessions and come back soon to find out more about our 2026 panelists

Panel Session 1: Mental health, warning signs and red flags

Running a business requires resilience, but even the strongest foundations can show cracks under pressure. Often, the early warning signs of a mental health struggle don't look like a crisis. They look like irritability, a lack of focus, or a change in sleep patterns. In this session, we are joined by a diverse group of wellbeing experts and mental health professionals to peel back the layers of the 'entrepreneurial hustle.' We will explore the specific red flags that small business owners often overlook and discuss how to identify when you, an employee or a fellow business owner might need to step back and seek support.

CHAIR - Sharon May

Sharon set up Kingsclere Counselling Service in 2016, as a sole counselling practitioner in order to help support those in the local community with their mental health. Since then, the practice has gone from strength to strength with a team of fifteen therapists with a wide variety of specialisms and approaches.
Sharon is currently studying for a Masters in Counselling and Psychotherapy practice, in addition to her FdSC in Counselling and EFT Advanced Practitioner training.

Panellist - Gavin Blackman

 Gavin worked in a corporate environment working as a Chartered Tax Adviser, before retraining as a hypnotherapist. He’s now a Certified Hypnotherapist and Counsellor. He’s have always had a genuine desire to help people and throughout his personal Life and professional services career, has always been described as a “people person.” His philosophy is to have an “Unconditional Positive Regard” for whoever chooses to work with him; in other words, he leaves any preconceptions, beliefs, prejudices etc to one side and just uses his experience and abilities to work with and help the person in front of him.

Panellist

MORE INFO COMING SOON!

Panellist

MORE INFO COMING SOON!

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MORE INFO COMING SOON!

Panel Session 2: Facing change or making a transition

Change is an inevitable part of the entrepreneurial journey, yet it is often the time when we feel most vulnerable. Whether you are navigating an unexpected life event or proactively pivoting your business model, the mental toll of 'the unknown' can be heavy. This session explores how to navigate these turning points with confidence and maintain your mental well-being through periods of significant transition.

We are bringing together experts in change management and career growth alongside fellow business owners who have lived through the 'messy middle' and the range of things life might throw at us, both professional and personally. Together, we will discuss how to manage the anxiety of uncertainty, protect your professional identity during shifts, and turn moments of change into opportunities for personal and business growth.

CHAIR - Adrian Hammill

Adrian has been a personal, career, and business Coach and Mentor since 2020, in parallel to his role as an IT Security Professional. He obtained his coaching certification from the Institute of Continuing Education at the University of Cambridge in 2021, and opened Hammill Consulting his Coaching Practice the same year. He is a member of the EMCC and Association of Coaching.Through coaching others, Adrian has developed a deep interest in the challenges faced with mental health and neurodiversity and has focused his coaching development in these areas, qualifying as a Mental Health First Aider.

Panellist - Lucy Quick

Lucy is an experienced people-orientated agile coach and business consultant with a focus on transformation and guiding teams through change. She started her agile journey in a startup software development company, growing the business with multiple on and offshore teams and soon realised that her success was rooted in understanding the importance of the people involved and the culture they want to create.

Panellist - Corrine Thomas

Corrine is a certified Executive Coach specialising in leadership, careers and resilience coaching.  She's experienced in helping people who feel overwhelmed, stressed, and are struggling to find fulfilment in their careers and lives.
It’s her mission to support professionals to discover their hidden potential, bring out their strengths, feel motivated, and find meaning in their lives.
She has a deep understanding of the challenges of agile and rapidly changing work environments and the need to be adaptable and resilient. Corrine loves the outdoors and spending time connecting with nature. 

Panellist - Hannah Hemming

Hannah is responsible for all HR matters within a consultancy engineers’ company, where she supports colleagues throughout the employment lifecycle and help create clear, accessible HR processes. Her background as a librarian—across many varied sectors has shaped her approach to documentation and organisation. Over the past eight years, her HR role has evolved significantly, and she is particularly passionate about staff wellbeing and ensuring our duty of care is upheld. Her personal health experiences have been instrumental in her commitment to build a supportive and inclusive workplace.

Panellist - Georgina Furr

Georgina Furr is an Executive & Leadership Coach (and former senior diplomat) specialising in Security & Defence. She empowers talented women and neurodivergents (M+F) to excel in their careers with their values, authenticity and resilience intact. Georgina is passionate about neurodiversity, women in leadership, compassionate challenge and making time for "self" in amongst all the other roles we have.

Panel Session 3: Money and financial confidence

Financial stress is one of the most significant, yet least discussed, burdens for small business owners. The pressure of managing cash flow, navigating taxes, and planning for the future can weigh heavily on our mental health, often leading to 'financial avoidance' or persistent anxiety. This session is designed to break that silence, moving beyond the spreadsheets to explore the deep connection between our bank accounts and our peace of mind.

We are joined by a powerful mix of financial professionals who have faced these challenges and supported others. Together, we will discuss how to build true financial confidence, dismantle the limiting beliefs that hold us back, and implement practical habits that protect both your bottom line and your mental wellbeing.

CHAIR - Kate Llewellyn

Kate Llewellyn is a content consultant and copywriter who feels strongly about creating powerful long-form content, such as websites, blogs and emails, which works hard for a business. She launched her business, The Content Consultancy in 2017 and runs The Confident Content Creators Club, an online membership, that supports overwhelmed small business owners to learn more about enjoyable content creation, effective use of the major digital marketing platforms and how to create, plan and distribute content, regularly and consistency, to increase visibility, engagement and sales.

Panellist - Alex Cooke

Alex has been helping people make confident decisions about their mortgages and protection insurance since 2002, having worked in estate agency, financial services and now running his own independent advice firm, Sycamore Mortgages & Protection. Outside of work, he's a keen photographer and volunteer with the Surrey Scouts Media Team. Alex is a firm believer in using the outdoors as a mental reset, whether that's a long walk in the hills, a night in a hammock, or a quiet brew in the fresh air with a stunning view.

Panellist - Taya Johnson

Taya Johnson is a Financial Adviser who spent 16 years in education before moving into financial planning. Combining her experience in both teaching and finance has led to a strong commitment to financial education and helping people feel more informed when making financial decisions. Through her work with small business owners, Taya understands how closely personal and business finances can become intertwined, and the pressure financial uncertainty can place on decision-making and future planning. She has a particular interest in the link between financial wellbeing and mental wellbeing, and the impact money worries can have on the way people think, feel and make decisions.

Panellist - Rebecca Stow

Rebecca is a financial planner who helps people gain clarity and confidence in their finances,
providing tailored advice on retirement, investment and protection planning. Rebecca began her career in financial services as a paraplanner, building a strong technical
foundation before moving into an advisory role.
She believes financial advice should be clear, supportive and built around long-term relationships. Rebecca works closely with her clients, helping them navigate different stages of life and make informed financial decisions along the way. Having worked with a wide range of clients, from business owners and experienced professionals to those just beginning their financial journey, she believes it is never too early to seek financial advice.

Panellist - Jade Binsted

Jade Binsted is Commercial Director at Ookkee, an outsourced accounts department supporting ambitious SMEs, and Founder of The Ribbons Network, a business community focused on helping people grow through meaningful relationships, support and collaboration.
Having spent years working alongside business owners, Jade has seen first-hand how closely financial wellbeing and mental wellbeing are connected. From cash flow worries and uncertainty to the pressure of making difficult decisions, she understands that many entrepreneurs carry an invisible mental load that can affect both their business and personal lives.
Passionate about making finance feel less overwhelming, Jade believes that understanding your numbers isn't just about improving profitability - it's about creating confidence, reducing anxiety and giving business owners the clarity they need to make better decisions. 

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