Toni Graves on chairing the This Can Happen Awards
Toni Graves
Global Head of Reward and Wellbeing
Allen & Overy
Toni is an experienced HR professional with 20+ years in professional services. She trained as an accountant at PwC, working with global clients across multiple sectors. After 10 years in client facing roles she moved into human resources and went on to shape and drive the firm's reward strategy. As part of the HR leadership team, she was also responsible for employee relations and global projects. She joined A&O in 2016 as Global Head of Reward and also became the firm's first Head of Wellbeing. Throughout her career Toni has worked with senior leaders to create people strategies that drive change and improve performance across many aspects of the people agenda including diversity, resourcing, performance management and wellbeing in the workplace - a topic she is passionate about.
What shone through was the determination of people to really help others and drive progress.
Toni Graves on chairing the This Can Happen Awards
This year, I will once again chair the judging panel for This Can Happen Awards, which recognise the companies and individuals doing exceptional work to promote positive mental health in the workplace.
In last year's inaugural awards, the standard of entries was very high. One of the things that stood out for me was the personal commitment and drive of individuals. Companies are implementing effective policies and programmes, which of course are important, but what shone through was the determination of people to really help others and drive progress.
That's because, like me, many of those involved have their own personal stories on top of their professional motivations. I had such strong support at work when going through a difficult time in my life, and I care deeply that others have the same support when dealing with their own mental health issues.
I found it encouraging to see themes emerging in how companies are addressing mental health. Intersectionality was one, with companies making targeted interventions, for example with the LGBT+ community, as well as integrating mental wellbeing within wider inclusion programmes. Another was looking at mental health through the lens of, perhaps, a graduate or trainee and considering what it means for people at different stages of their careers.
I enjoyed the judging process immensely last year. Like This Can Happen's annual conference, the range of experts who came together – doctors, clinicians, HR professionals from the public and private sectors – generated a lively debate. Listening to different perspectives persuaded many of us to change our minds about the eventual winners – as a good judging process should.
The only category we could not pick a winner in was Innovation. It is difficult to show real originality in this space – so there's a challenge to this year's entrants! In part, this is because it can be hard to demonstrate the direct impact of work on mental health, but what we want to see is clear articulation of aims and a methodology for measuring progress, even if that is long term.
My advice is to stay focused on the personal impact of what you are doing – ultimately, as everyone working in this space knows, it is all about people.
Good luck to those who have entered and I very much look forward to being inspired as much by this year's entries.
Our proud partners
Allen & Overy
Allen & Overy is a global law firm that helps the world’s leading businesses to grow, innovate and thrive. For almost a century, they have built a reputation for their commitment to think ahead and bring original solutions to their clients’ most complex legal and commercial challenges. Allen & Overy has expertise in banking & finance, M&A, litigation, funds, IP, and related business solutions.
Beyond
Beyond is a mental health charity which was formed in 2018 by award winning campaigner Jonny Benjamin MBE. It was created to address the growing need for mental health support for young people. 75% of mental health issues begin in adolescence and yet, according to the NHS, three-quarters of young people who experience mental illness are not receiving treatment. Beyond has so far given out various grants to organisations across the UK who support vulnerable youngsters. The charity is currently developing a nationwide mental health festival for schools called Now and Beyond which will take place in February 2021.
GlaxoSmithKline
GSK is a fully focused biopharma company. They prioritise innovation in vaccines andspecialty medicines, maximising the increasing opportunities to prevent and treat disease. At the heart of this is their R&D focus on the science of the immune system, human genetics and advanced technologies, and their world-leading capabilities in vaccines and medicines development. GSK is focusing on four therapeutic areas: infectious diseases, HIV, oncology, and immunology.
Haleon
Haleon Plc is a British multinational consumer healthcare company and the largest consumer healthcare business in the world. They are 100% focussed on everyday health with theirleading brands being built on science, innovation and human understanding. Haleion exists to deliver better everyday health with humanity.
Mental Health UK
Bringing together the heritage and 50 years’ experience of four charities across the country, Mental Health UK provides support and services for the biggest societal challenges posing a threat to our mental health - we won’t stop until everyone has the tools they need to live their best possible life.
Weber Shandwick
Weber Shandwick is a global marketing communications company. They work at the intersection of technology, society, policy and media, adding value to culture — to shape and re-shape it. They do it all – from creative concepting to content development and production, creative technology and user experience design. Their team develop and execute ideas that earn attention and drive business impact.
