The Medigold Memo - Issue 03 - Winter 2023

Issue 03

Winter 2023

Brought to you by Medigold Health

A quick glance back at the last quarter Be Stress Aware Why so SAD?

Our services under the spotlight Coffee Break Corner People are at the heart of everything we do

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Hello

from our

CEO!

Head Designer Foreword Copy & Proof

Nicole Corr Alex Goldsmith Gemma Steel Katie Hall

Copy & Curation

Jodie Palmer

Graphic Designer

Annabel Scriven

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s well as being a time for celebrations and festivities, the Christmas season is also about reflection – looking back on what we’ve achieved this year and what we could have done better, and making plans for the future. Reflecting on the last 12 months here at Medigold Health, I would sum up our 25th anniversary year as a year of challenges.

Without taking on challenges, it is impossible to grow and move forward, and we have certainly challenged ourselves a lot in 2023, pushing our company to be better than yesterday and making changes that will allow us to improve the way we work, improve the service and experience that we deliver for our clients and ensure our future sustainability.

Along the way, these changes, together with the external pressures that we, like every business, are facing at the moment, have also presented less welcome challenges; some expected, some not. Dealing with these has been tough - at times incredibly so - and I cannot thank my teams enough for their mammoth efforts in helping us to work through them. I must also thank you, our customers, for your ongoing loyalty, patience and support for which I am, as always, truly grateful.

As we approach the holidays, we are now at a place where we are beginning to see the fruits of our labours, and despite all the difficulties, I am extremely proud of what we have accomplished together this year and excited for what we will achieve in 2024.

On the theme of challenges, this winter edition of our newsletter is packed with tips on managing stress (pages 10 and 24) and the mental health struggles that the darker days and colder weather at this time of year can often bring (page 16). It also introduces some of the more unsung heroes we have working in the background here at Medigold Health (page 26) and shines a spotlight on some of the personal and collective wins our people have had over the last quarter.

I hope that you enjoy reading it and I hope, too, that you all have a very merry and restful Christmas and a happy, healthy and prosperous New Year.

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Contents A quick glance back at the last quarter

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Be Stress Aware

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Why so SAD?

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Our services under the spotlight

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Coffee Break Corner

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People are at the heart of everything we do

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This issue

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Why so SAD? Find out how you can stave off the effects of seasonal affective disorder and beat the blues this winter.

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A quick glance back Find out what we and our people have been getting up to over the last quarter and catch up on anything you might have missed.

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Introducing our Legal, Compliance and ESG Team

If you’re one of the 81% of people who find the holiday season stressful, head over to Coffee Break Corner, where this time we’re sharing some top tips on how to avoid the festive frenzy!

In this issue’s People are at the heart of everything we do feature, we meet our award-winning, neurodiversity-championing General Counsel Seb Goldsmith and his brilliant team, taking a sneak peek behind the scenes to find out about the vital role they play in ensuring the sustainability and success of our organisation.

Have a calmer Christmas

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A quick glance back at the last quarter Here’s a little snapshot of what’s been happening across the business over the last few months!

THIS QUARTER

Spreading the word about OH It’s been another busy season of exhibitions and events, with our team attending networking conferences and job fairs up and down the country to spread the message about the importance of occupational health and looking after employee wellbeing and the rewards of a career in this varied and increasingly prominent area of medicine.

• FORS Annual Conference • Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM) Careers Fair

• Royal College of Nursing RCNi Careers Fair • Midlands Business Network Expo in Solihull

AUGUST

Quality you can trust!

We successfully maintained our Safe, Effective, Quality Occupational Health Service accreditation following our annual renewal. The SEQOHS accreditation shows our customers that we are trusted to provide them with the highest level of service and clinical excellence standards, so this was an important win for our business right in the midst of our acquisition integration of HML.

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THIS QUARTER

Record-breaking webinars We’ve once again been overwhelmed by the response we’ve had to our popular webinar series. Hosted by our expert team, these free sessions on topics including suicide awareness, hepatitis C in the workplace, understanding and supporting neurodiversity, and alcohol awareness during the party season have garnered great feedback and continue to attract huge audiences, with our Understanding Dyslexia and Dyspraxia webinar receiving a record 1,187 registrations!

We’ve already got an exciting programme lined up for 2024, so be sure to sign up to our mailing list to be the first to hear about all our upcoming sessions when details are released in the new year.

Join our free webinar mailing list

In the meantime, you can watch or revisit all the webinars from our extensive archive over on our YouTube channel.

Watch now!

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SEPTEMBER

Take it to the board!

In September, our CEO, Alex Goldsmith, was privileged to participate in the Society of Occupational Medicine’s OH Leadership Conference, delivering an insightful keynote speech to attendees on the crucial role of OH providers in persuading Board members to prioritise workplace health and wellbeing.

Awards season!

SEPTEMBER

OCTOBER

Back in September, Medigold OH Physician Dr. Louise Hancock won the prestigious Peter Taylor Award for her dissertation 'Mixed Methods Study of Infection Risk in Workplace Patients with Solid Tumours’. Presented annually by the Faculty of Medicine (FOM) and Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), the award is given to the FOM trainee judged to have submitted the best dissertation, demonstrating both scientific rigour and contribution to occupational medicine practice.

Meanwhile, in October, our esteemed General Counsel, Sebastian Goldsmith, was named

by The Legal 500 GC Magazine on their 2023 GC Powerlist, which celebrates the most influential in-house lawyers in business today - a wonderful achievement and a thoroughly deserved accolade.

You can read more about Seb and his team over on page 26.

Read now

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OCTOBER

Putting people and planet first – Celebrating our ESG success

SEPTEMBER

Raising a cuppa for a good cause In September, we hosted another hugely successful company-wide Macmillan Coffee morning.

Gathering virtually and in person at our office hubs, our teams enjoyed a great selection of cakes and baked goodies, had a good natter over a nice brew and raised a whopping £648 in the process, all of which will be poured back into the wonderful work of Macmillan Cancer Support!

Medigold Health have always been committed to making a positive impact on the communities in which we work and the people who are at the heart of our business. In 2021, we cemented this commitment by appointing our dedicated Head of Environmental, Social and Governance, to help us put ESG at the forefront of our corporate strategy and lead us in our efforts to systematize our governance practices and our environmental stewardship and social equity responsibilities.

Since then, we have made significant strides on our journey to becoming a more responsible and sustainable business, and in October, we were delighted to release our second Annual ESG report, which showcased our achievements during 20222023 and laid out our plans for the future.

You can check out the full report below.

ESG Report 2022-2023

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Be Stress Aware Last month, Medigold celebrated Stress Awareness Day (2nd November) by posting tips across our social channels on how to manage stress better.

With one of the most stressful times of the year fast approaching, we wanted to share them here again, in our guide on why tackling stress effectively is so important for protecting health and wellbeing.

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What is stress?

Stress is our emotional and physical response to pressure or a threat.

When stressed, our body releases adrenaline, often called the ‘fight or flight’ hormone, which boosts or motivates us to act quickly.

However, too much stress can affect our mood, body and relationships, make us anxious and irritable and affect our self-esteem.

Additionally, experiencing long-term or severe stress can lead to physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, as well as a range of serious health conditions.

What causes stress?

Stress is common in daily life, especially when dealing with change or life challenges. The most common causes of stress include: • Work pressures - according to Statista, 79% of people feel stressed due to their job • Relationship issues • Life changes, such as bereavement, moving house or having a baby • Money worries, housing issues or employment problems • Health issues, either your own or those of someone close to you • Pregnancy and parenting • Loneliness, feeling isolated or unsupported • Our genes, upbringing and past experiences.

It’s important to remember that everyone experiences stress differently; a situation that feels stressful to one person may be motivating to someone else.

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What are the different types of stress?

There are three primary types of stress.

Acute stress Acute stress is a brief reaction to new or challenging situations, like nearly experiencing a car accident, giving a work presentation or even a roller coaster ride. Symptoms may include a racing heart, increased blood pressure, anxiety or headaches. These usually subside shortly after the threat passes.

Episodic acute stress Episodic acute stress is acute stress that occurs frequently - often due to a high-pressure job or feeling consistently overwhelmed – and prevents the body from returning to a relaxed state. This type of stress can contribute to serious illnesses like heart disease or clinical depression and often leads people to adopt unhealthy coping methods, such as substance misuse.

Chronic stress Chronic stress is stress that persists over a long period due to serious life problems, like long-term health issues, poverty, war, racism or abusive relationships. Symptoms include fatigue, appetite changes, sleep difficulties or insomnia, headaches and concentration issues. If untreated, chronic stress can increase your risk of serious health issues, including obesity, heart disease, hypertension, diabetes and a number of mental health conditions.

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What are the symptoms of stress?

People have different ways of reacting to stress but common symptoms may include:

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What are the consequences of stress?

• Headaches

Although some stress can be beneficial if managed correctly, prolonged exposure to stress can have serious repercussions, including:

• Muscle tension or pain

Digestive problems

• Chest pain • Fatigue

Stress is a common contributor to digestive issues including irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and ulcers.

• Change in sex drive

Heart disease

Physical signs

• Stomach upset • Sleep problems.

Behavioural signs • Unhealthy eating patterns • Avoiding social activities or withdrawing from family and friends • Using alcohol or drugs to cope • Difficulty concentrating or making decisions.

Emotional signs • Feelings of anxiety • Restlessness • Lack of motivation or focus • Irritability or anger • Sadness or depression.

If you have any symptoms that you are worried about or feel you have more severe stress, it is recommended that you see a GP.

Stress can cause prolonged increased adrenaline and cortisol levels which can cause cardiovascular consequences such as hypertension (high blood pressure).

Obesity or disordered eating Some people may experience a decrease in appetite, which can lead to eating disorders or malnutrition; others may turn to bingeing or stress eating, which can lead to obesity and other health concerns.

Anxiety disorders Panic disorders, panic attacks and PTSD can disrupt daily life and cause harm to physical health.

Depression 51% of adults who feel stressed also feel depressed. Depression often presents itself in feelings of hopelessness and low self-worth as well as loss of interest or passion in activities.

Burnout Burnout results from long-term or severe stress and can lead to physical, mental and emotional exhaustion.

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How can I manage my stress?

Fortunately, there are many ways you can effectively manage your stress levels and take better care of your wellbeing, such as:

Exercising regularly 30 minutes of exercise five times a week is enough to reap the benefits of endorphins (natural mood boosters).

Prioritising sleep Lack of sleep can dramatically exacerbate stress levels. Aim to get seven to eight hours of quality sleep a night and practice good sleep hygiene before bed to relax.

Disconnecting from technology Taking breaks from your phone, computer and social media can help to decrease feelings of overwhelm.

Practicing mindfulness or meditation Allocate a few minutes each day to sit quietly, close your eyes and bring your attention to your breath or the sensations in your body.

Establishing clear boundaries Allow yourself to decline non-essential social or workplace commitments that overwhelm you, and remember to ask for help or delegate tasks when possible.

Spending time with friends and family Spending quality time with friends and family can bring great stress relief and allows us to create a social support system we can rely on.

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When should I seek professional help?

Accessing professional help is advisable when: • Symptoms persist or your stress starts affecting your physical health • You find it challenging to cope with stress using self-help strategies • Stress is significantly impacting your relationships, social interactions or work performance and professional responsibilities • Your emotions feel overwhelming or uncontrollable • You are increasingly relying on substances (such as alcohol or drugs) as a coping mechanism If you have thoughts of self-harm or suicide, it’s crucial that you seek immediate help.

We understand that the festive period can often be overwhelming and a great source of stress for many people. In fact, a study by mental health charity Mind revealed that 81% of people find the holiday season stressful. If you’re one of them and are looking for advice on how to have a calmer Christmas this year, head to page 24 now!

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Why so SAD? Seasonal affective disorder: How to manage the winter blues With the weather getting colder and the days now much shorter as winter sets in, more of us will be experiencing symptoms of seasonal affective disorder (SAD).

SAD affects 1 in 3 people in the UK, including adults and children. According to research from YouGov, 57% of adults say their overall mood is worse in winter compared to summer, with 40% of people suffering from increased fatigue.

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What is seasonal affective disorder?

SAD is a type of depression that occurs at certain times of the year, predominantly throughout winter.

This condition, also known as the ‘winter blues’ or ‘winter depression’, tends to correlate with reduced exposure to natural sunlight, which affects mood regulation and circadian rhythms.

Symptoms of SAD typically diminish or vanish during spring or summer when natural light exposure increases, which is what distinguishes SAD from other forms of depression.

What causes seasonal affective disorder?

The exact cause of SAD is not fully understood, although the main theory is that the lack of sunlight may disrupt the functioning of the part of the brain called the hypothalamus. This disruption is thought to impact: • Melatonin production: This hormone, responsible for inducing sleepiness, may be overproduced in individuals with SAD. • Serotonin production: Reduced sunlight may lead to lower levels of serotonin, which affects mood, appetite and sleep and can contribute to feelings of depression.

• Circadian rhythm: Sunlight regulates vital functions tied to our internal body clock, such as waking up. Decreased light levels in winter could disrupt this rhythm, resulting in SAD symptoms.

What are the symptoms of seasonal affective disorder?

SAD symptoms can vary in severity and may include: • Persistent low mood • Loss of pleasure or interest in normal activities • Social withdrawal (pulling away from social interactions or activities) • Irritability • Feelings of despair, guilt and worthlessness

• Feeling lethargic (lacking in energy) and sleepy during the day • Sleep changes - sleeping more than usual (hypersomnia) or experiencing insomnia • Craving carbohydrates and gaining weight • Difficulty concentrating • Decreased sex drive

These symptoms can be severe for some people and significantly impact their day-to-day activities. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways you can effectively manage SAD symptoms and enjoy a more positive and fulfilling winter!

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How can I manage seasonal affective disorder?

It’s important to remember that SAD affects everyone differently; what works for one person might not work for another.

If you are experiencing SAD symptoms or simply feel you could benefit from a general mood uplift, consider our recommendations below:

Spend time outdoors Getting sunlight during daylight hours benefits our mood and mental health by helping us stay alert, promoting vitamin D production and boosting serotonin levels. Exposure to sunlight in the morning can help you sleep at night because it helps reset your body's inner ‘sleep clock’.

Keep active Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, lifts mood, increases energy levels and helps improve sleep patterns. Aiming for a daily daytime walk (by yourself or, even better, with a friend) can help you get your daily dose of sunlight and exercise and provide an opportunity for social connection.

Keep warm Studies indicate that maintaining warmth can decrease winter blues symptoms by 50%, so keep your home between 18C and 21C if possible. Embrace warm clothing, cosy socks and hot water bottles, and indulge in warm beverages and meals to combat the effects of the colder weather.

Light therapy People often find light therapy effective for seasonal depression. One way to get light therapy at home in winter is to sit in front of a light box for up to two hours daily. Lightboxes give out very bright light at least ten times stronger than ordinary lighting.

Healthy diet Prioritising a well-rounded diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meat can enhance mood and increase energy levels. Meals like soups and casseroles are hearty and nutritious options as well as being comforting and warming.

Stick to a routine Establishing consistent sleep patterns and adhering to a regular daily routine helps regulate your body's internal clock. This enhances both sleep quality and daytime energy levels, consequently boosting your mood.

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Social support During dark and cold days, withdrawing socially can be tempting. However, nurturing relationships with loved ones and engaging in social activities can significantly benefit mental wellbeing and help combat the winter blues.

Take up a new hobby The Seasonal Affective Disorder Association (SADA) suggests that engaging in a new interest appears to help prevent symptoms of SAD, emphasising that this 'could be anything – from playing bridge, singing or knitting to joining a gym, or writing a journal or a blog'. The crucial aspect is having something to anticipate and focus on.

Create a comfortable environment Enhance the brightness of your living and working environments by opening the curtains to invite in natural light and incorporating bright lighting. You may also want to consider painting walls in cheerful, light hues. These changes can uplift the ambience and help significantly in creating a more positive, vibrant and mood-boosting atmosphere.

Consider seeking professional help Should symptoms start to significantly disrupt your daily life, work or relationships, we always advise you to seek professional assistance from your workplace Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) or a GP. Therapeutic approaches like counselling, psychotherapy, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and, when appropriate, medication, can all be extremely beneficial in managing and alleviating symptoms and getting you back to your upbeat self.

Introducing an EAP and providing your employees with access to structured, short-term counselling is a cost-effective way to improve mental health and wellbeing in your workplace over the winter months and all year round.

If you believe your organisation could benefit from our EAP service, please don’t hesitate to get in touch!

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Our services under the spotlight This issue, the spotlight’s on our Menopause Awareness Training This time in our spotlight feature, we’re introducing our Menopause at Work Awareness Training service, which has been developed to equip your teams with the knowledge, practical skills, strategies and confidence they need to support colleagues experiencing menopause and menopausal symptoms at work.

Why menopause awareness is so important Menopause symptoms can greatly affect every aspect of an individual's daily life, including their relationships, family life, social life and work. If they are not given the right support to manage their symptoms effectively, the impact on their wellbeing and, in turn, on organisational productivity, can be significant.

Research has found that 73% of women feel unsupported at work while experiencing menopause, while 1 in 10 leave work because of menopause symptoms, representing a huge drain in knowledge, expertise and talent from the workplace.

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What you can do to support menopause in your workplace Organisations Developing a dedicated menopause policy and integrating it into your Sickness Absence, Equality, Flexible Working, Health & Safety and other relevant policies is the first step in recognising the importance of menopause and the impact it can have. Ensuring that your employees have ready access to menopause support services, for example through occupational health or an Employee Assistance Programme, is also crucial in creating an inclusive and supportive work environment.

Managers Ensuring that line managers have appropriate training to understand the potential impact that menopause can have on their team members is essential to facilitate effective support and workplace adjustments. This should include making managers aware of the support and resources available through your organisation, equipping them with the tools to confidently discuss and start conversations about the subject with their employees and ensuring they know where to signpost colleagues for further guidance and help.

Individuals The impact of menopause symptoms can be felt not only by the person experiencing them but by their colleagues and partners as well. To create a supportive workplace, it’s therefore vital to educate all colleagues on menopause, to improve people’s general understanding of how they can help someone struggling with the effects.

Campaigns, posters, newsletter articles, blog posts and training can help to boost awareness, promote inclusivity and prevent conflicts arising from perceived favouritism around adjustments.

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How Medigold Health can help Education and awareness training Our engaging and insightful menopause training programme will help you to: • Improve awareness and understanding among your employees of menopause and its impact in the workplace • Equip your teams with the knowledge and tools necessary to be able to confidently support the wellbeing of menopausal colleagues to ensure they remain happy, productive and successful at work • Consider strategies to help you develop a menopause-inclusive work environment, including introducing flexible working, workplace adjustments and additional support services.

Delivery Half-day face-to-face session or 2 x 2.5hr online facilitated learning sessions Maximum attendees 12 All training content and materials can be tailored specifically to your organisation.

Our lead Menopause Awareness trainer The course is delivered by Medigold’s Product and Consultancy Lead, Kath Wood. A qualified Disability Management Professional, Kath has developed her expertise over many years in the industry and draws on her lived experience to inform and enhance the learning experience she provides.

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If you’d like to speak with us about how our menopause training and support services could help your organisation, contact us at workplacetraining@medigold-health. com.

In the meantime, follow this link to download our Menopause at Work tip sheet for more information and advice on how you can start supporting your people better today!

Download my FREE tip sheet!

For more helpful tips, check out our webinar, 'Menopause: Why employers need to do more'. It's packed with insightful information and practical advice that's essential for everyone.

While you're checking it out, why not join our lovely YouTube community by subscribing to our channel? You'll get all the latest updates on health and wellbeing, right at your fingertips. We promise it's worth it!

Catch the webinar here:

Menopause: Why employers need to do more

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Coffee Break Corner Dreaming of a calmer Christmas? Follow our tips for keeping festive stress at bay this holiday season It’s the most wonderful time of the year – or so the song goes. However, for many people, Christmas is anything but, with studies showing that at least one in ten of us feel unable to cope over the holidays.

The mad dash preparing for the big day and the disruption to our normal routines, on top of all the extra socialising, late nights and the constant pressure to ‘get into the spirit’, can leave even the most avid Yuletide fans feeling overwhelmed and strung out.

If you’re trying to avoid the seasonal stress this year, take a look at our top tips for how you can enjoy a calmer Christmas.

Let go of unrealistic expectations Many of us get caught up with trying to create that ‘perfect Christmas’ we see portrayed in all the festive films and adverts and splashed across our social media feeds.

Often, this pressure can lead to us spending more time or money than we’d planned to and feeling deflated when the reality doesn’t live up to our expectations.

Try to keep in mind that there is no one right way to ‘do’ Christmas. Rather than comparing yourself to others and trying to do everything, think instead about which seasonal activities or traditions you most enjoy. Focus on prioritising just those things, then let the rest go.

Remember it’s OK to say no With all the family gatherings, work parties, Christmas meals and drinks with friends, the festive season can sometimes feel like one long, exhausting (and expensive) social event. But remember, you don’t have to accept every invitation. It’s OK to politely decline if you need some time to rest and

re-set at home or don’t think you’ll have fun. By not spreading yourself so thin and only saying yes to things you’ll actually look forward to, you’ll feel more relaxed and have much more energy to properly enjoy them.

Take some ‘me time’ No matter how much you love them, spending longer than usual cooped up with family at Christmas can be stressful. And if you don’t get on so well with your relatives, tensions can quickly escalate, leading to an unpleasant atmosphere or even full-blown arguments and disputes.

It’s important to get some space, so make sure you take some time for yourself each day. Whether it’s going for a walk, taking a bath, meditating or reading a book, the key is to do something that you find relaxing. If you’re really riled up and feel like you might snap at someone, try removing yourself from the situation for a few moments and doing some deep breathing to help you calm down.

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Spend some time outside Exercise and being outside in nature is really important for our wellbeing.

Particularly at this time of the year, when the days are shorter and we’re prone to spending more time indoors, getting out for a walk in the fresh air and natural daylight is a great way to escape the hustle and bustle of Christmas and give your mental health a boost. Just remember to wrap up warm!

Look after your physical health It’s OK to treat yourself over the holidays, but, if you can, try to keep some balance and avoid indulging in too much rich food or drinking too much alcohol.

While it may seem comforting and help us to relax initially, the after-effects can leave us tired and lethargic and cause our mood to dip, which can make feelings of stress worse.

Making sure that you get enough rest, sticking to your normal sleep routine as far as possible and fitting in some healthier meals will not only help your mental wellbeing, but it could also help you to fend off those common winter illnesses, so you can enjoy your Christmas to the full.

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Set clear boundaries when it comes to seasonal spending Finances are a big source of stress for a lot of us, especially at Christmastime when it’s easy to overstretch the purse strings. But you don’t have to join in the festive spending frenzy. If funds are short, decide in advance what you’re happy to splurge on then set yourself a realistic budget and make sure you stick to it.

It’s OK to decline that invite to another expensive Christmas meal or drinks party if you can’t afford it. It’s also fine to opt out of exchanging gifts with every friend and family member. Why not suggest doing a Secret Santa instead, or agreeing with relatives to only buy presents for the kids? It’s likely many of them are in the same boat and will welcome the chance to save some extra money (not to mention time!).

By setting clear boundaries on spending, you’ll be able to avoid the dread of the post-Christmas credit card bill and enjoy the holidays a whole lot more as a result.

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A key part of our business, this team helps us to navigate regulations, legal frameworks and supplier and customer contracts and ensures that we remain up to date and compliant with industry standards and accreditations. They also lead us in paving the way towards a sustainable future, ensuring that we continue to fulfil our commitment to ethical and responsible business practices as we continue to grow.

Having played an integral role in supporting the acquisition integration of Health Management into the Medigold Group, 2023 has been an extremely busy year for them, so we wanted to give the them a special shout-out, highlight the crucial work that they do and delve a little deeper into what they get up to behind the scenes.

First up, we meet the head of the team, Medigold’s General Counsel and Company Secretary, Sebastian Goldsmith.

As General Counsel, I lead the Legal, Compliance and ESG function. My role is to provide strategic, commercial and legal advice to the business and be an ethical voice. I am also the Company Secretary, so I am in charge of corporate governance.

I trained in the City at Nabarro LLP and qualified as a funds lawyer. I subsequently moved to the US firm Latham & Watkins before switching ‘in-house’ to Australian global fund manager IFM Investors. IFM are owned by Australia's “superannuation” (pension) funds, and they place a lot of emphasis on doing the right thing for working people and the community, which really aligned with my personal values.

A desire for a greater breadth of practice led to me joining the family Occupational Health business in March 2020. Joining the week before the first Covid lockdown, I instantly got my wish, with my advice suddenly? required on many fronts.

Until earlier this year when I recruited Vasilia as a paralegal to assist with legal triage and contract management and negotiation, I was Medigold's only lawyer.

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This time in our regular feature celebrating the amazing people who make Medigold Health, we introduce our wonderful Legal, Compliance and ESG Team.

A lot of my focus over the past three years has therefore been on making our department as efficient as possible by introducing legal-tech solutions.

I have also concentrated on centralising our legal, compliance and ESG functions and growing the team, recruiting and appointing Isobel Watkins as our Director of Governance, Risk and Compliance and Jane Winter as Head of ESG. Day to day, my time is spent negotiating contracts; advising Medigold on governance and strategy; assisting Isobel and the wider business with data protection queries; helping the People team with employment issues; assisting our Commercial team with supplier and property matters; answering spontaneous legal, ethical and compliance questions; overseeing the continuous improvement of the legal function and processes; and, of course, supporting our recent acquisition and integration activity.

It is varied and rewarding, and yes, fairly full-on, but I have a fantastic team and can honestly say that I’ve never felt so fulfilled as a lawyer.

Some of the things I'm most proud of being involved with and that we have achieved as a team since I joined the company include supporting Isobel with improving our GRC systems and documentation; successfully implementing Ironclad, our Contract Lifecycle Management platform; and supporting Jane’s ESG work, including releasing our first two annual ESG reports, the completion of our Scopes

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1-3 carbon emissions analysis and the implementation of our Sustainable Business Travel Policy and our Community Impact Programme.

We have some exciting (for us!) things in the pipeline, so I’m looking forward to working on those in 2024 and beyond.

Aside from the professional rewards, my favourite part of working for Medigold is the people. From 1998, when my Dad first started the business when I was just a kid and the company parties were held in our back garden, to now, the family ethos has remained a constant. Across the company, the people are supportive, friendly, committed to quality and pleased to work for Medigold, and it makes me very proud to be a part of it.

Award-winner...

We were thrilled to learn in October that Seb had been named on GC Magazine’s The Legal 500 GC Powerlist 2023, which celebrates the achievements and talents of the UK’s elite general counsel. The list recognises influential in-house lawyers and legal teams who have been instrumental in changing or forming opinions within their company or industry, have developed brilliant technical solutions to complex issues or have implemented innovative working models to help drive their business that other corporate counsel should follow. Being selected for it is therefore a significant achievement and is a testament to the hard work of both Seb and his team and what they are building at Medigold. The recognition was thoroughly deserved, and we couldn’t be prouder.

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...and neurodiversity champion!

As well as being a brilliant GC, Seb is also an outspoken advocate of neurodiversity.

Diagnosed with dyslexia while studying for his law degree, he is always happy to share his experience, to help raise awareness of the importance of inclusivity in the workplace and of the benefits of allowing people to bring their whole selves to work.

As he says, “Everyone has their different strengths and weaknesses - in dyslexic people, those can be more pronounced. I do sometimes struggle with my dyslexia; I lean heavily into my strengths to mask my weaknesses. But my strengths are so honed that they're actually an advantage and a point of difference.

I think that the more different brain types and perspectives you have in an organisation and the more you can take steps to actively include them, the more effective you can be as a business.

My message to anyone with a neurodiverse condition, or any business employing neurodivergent employees, is to embrace the strengths and get as much support in place as possible for the weaknesses. It's highly likely that the former outweigh the latter.”

To hear further from Seb about his journey with dyslexia, click here.

And if you’d like to learn more about our neurodiversity support services, visit our webpage or check out our recent webinars on our YouTube channel.

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Isobel Watkins Director of Governance, Risk and Compliance and Group Data Protection Officer In my role, I’m responsible for developing and maintaining a robust corporate governance framework to ensure Medigold’s compliance with relevant laws, regulations and industry standards. My colleagues have in the past called me the Gatekeeper of the Rules, and I quite like that description! I have been with Medigold Health for two years now. I love working for a company whose ethos embodies integrity, family and putting quality at the heart of everything they do, but it’s the people I work with (and, often, their humour) that are my favourite part about working here.

Vasilia Efstathiou Paralegal I joined the Medigold family earlier this year and in my short but fulfilling five months here, I’ve had the privilege of advising and assisting colleagues with any legal inquiries they may have. My daily responsibilities include reviewing and drafting agreements, supporting the General Counsel with his day-to-day tasks, and ensuring our contract management platform remains organised and efficient.

Jane Winter Head of Environmental, Social and Governance I joined the Medigold Health family in January 2021 as Head of ESG. My role involves working with colleagues from different departments across the organisation, engaging with stakeholders and reporting on our ESG performance. This includes understanding the impact our business has on the environment and helping to improve our practices in areas such as energy efficiency, carbon footprint and waste management. The social element includes looking at how we support our employees, engage with our communities and address social issues. The governance strand relates to the structure and processes we have in place to ensure we are accountable and operate fairly and transparently.

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Joanne C Compliance Manager I have been working for Medigold Health for almost 12 years now. As Compliance Manager, I am mainly responsible for establishing, maintaining and developing our current and ongoing accreditations. My role also includes managing our transfer of records process and data rights requests.

Carol Hunter Compliance Administrator I have worked as a Compliance Administrator for Medigold in our Gateshead office since Spring 2021. My role as part of the Data Rights team involves processing subject access requests from individuals looking to access their occupational health records. While there are strict deadlines and it can sometimes be challenging, I really enjoy my job and gain great satisfaction from ensuring requests are always dealt with and completed in good time.

Nick Stevenson Administration & Governance Coordinator I joined Medigold Health earlier this year following their acquisition of Health Management, where I’ve worked for the past eight years in a range of administration roles and as coordinator of HML’s clinical education programme. After the acquisition, I moved into the Legal & Compliance team. I now perform various roles, including providing admin support to our Head of Clinical Governance, assisting our Responsible Officer with the running of our OHP appraisals scheme and helping out with the management and transfer of our clients’ OH medical records.

Jennifer May Quality & Records Coordinator I joined Medigold Health with their acquisition of Health Management, who I have been with for three years. I work in legal and compliance dealing with data protection queries, focusing on data rights requests and transfer of records. Some of the cases I’m asked to look at are complex and require attention to detail and a lot of patience. In my role, I work closely with all areas of the business, which I really enjoy. My favourite part of my job is the support system I have - it makes Medigold a great place to work.

Merry s s a m t Chri and Happ y r a e Y w e N

Ha p p y Hol idays from all of us at

Christmas card by

Bella Watson , aged 9

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