On Wednesday 14 January 2026, I had the honour of receiving my MBE from Prince William at Windsor Castle.
The ceremony was formal, moving, and beautifully organised. There was music as we arrived, and officiants kept checking in with my children and I to make sure we were comfortable and to encourage us to enjoy the day. Despite all the tradition (which we do so well), it felt genuinely warm. And the sun even shone.
What It Reinforced
This honour matters not simply as recognition, but as a reminder of why this work is so important: helping people reduce stress and improve mental health and wellbeing at work.
Mental health is discussed more openly than it once was. Yet many people still hesitate to speak up because they fear it will be seen as weakness—when in reality, speaking up takes courage.
Culture Makes the Difference
Support systems have improved—EAPs, mental health first aiders, occupational health—but too often they still don’t reach the people who need them most. And with hybrid working, informal moments of connection are easier to miss, along with the quiet check-ins that often make all the difference.
Awareness weeks help, but wellbeing cannot be squeezed into a calendar slot. A healthy workplace is built day by day—through leadership, listening, empathy, and psychological safety.
I’m proud to share this recognition with the many others doing such valuable work in this field.
Boardroom Briefing
If you would like a confidential boardroom briefing on practical ways to reduce stress and strengthen mental health and wellbeing across your organisation, please get in touch.
