Ali has many years of experience working with and coaching senior leadership teams. She’s held senior HR positions in organisations including Boots the Chemist, the NHS and the BBC, where she spent 18 months heading up the small specialist team investigating bullying and harassment allegations across the organisation.
Having supported a number of managers and employees on complex cases where mental ill-health was a concern, and having had experience of managing her own mental ill-health at work, Ali has developed a passion for helping to raise awareness of mental ill health in the workplace through training and workshops.
Ali is currently on a mission to support women who are considering giving up work due to the psychological impact of their menopause journey, helping them to develop a self care toolkit, and strategies to draw on when they feel anxious and low on confidence.
Ali is a Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) Instructor, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and a member of the British Psychological Society. She’s a coach accredited with the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) and holds a Diploma in Transformational Coaching. She is a licensed practitioner of the MTQ (mental toughness) assessment tool.
Get to know Ali as we ask her some questions to find out a bit more about her.
What is your career highlight?
There have been a few but the first thing that comes to mind is being in the BBC South East Newsroom when foot and mouth broke out in 2007. I had just joined the organisation and the usual low hum of the newsroom suddenly changed into a frenzy of activity. I got to accompany a reporter to a local farm to report on the story. Throughout my HR career it was always important to me to really understand the business, product or service and having an opportunity to be part of creating a piece of news for that night’s TV was a great start to my career at the BBC.
When you are not “thriving” you are…
Thinking about where I can experience a bit of sunshine. I’m not a sun worshiper by any means but I recognise that a warmer climate has a positive impact on my wellbeing. If I’m not planning a trip to slightly warmer climes with Martin then I’m probably reviewing my social diary and planning a get together for our friends and family or thinking about what experience might enrich my life.
My favourite band is…
Ooh too many to mention and I’ve got eclectic taste from bubblegum pop to Gregorian Chant but lifetime favourites include Blondie and Madness. Blondie’s Parallel Lines album was the first record I ever bought.
What book would you recommend?
I’m an avid buyer of books. I’ve always loved books. More recently I’ve found less time to read and consequently my bedside table looks like a bit of a library. I’m working on the basis that there’s some midnight osmosis happening and I’ve absorbed all the key learning without having to open the book! If I were to recommend one book it’s Dr Julie Smith’s Why Has Nobody Told Me This Before? It’s a great resource packed with tools and tips to improve and maintain well-being. I love the practical, bite-size actionable advice and coping strategies it offers.
I thrive when…
I’m with friends and family, generally eating, sometimes drinking, and always having fun. The beach, whatever the weather always makes me feel grateful to be alive and of course, spending time with Martin, our kids and our beautiful grandchildren, Daniel and Ivy, fills my heart with joy and love.
