Member Spotlight Simon Scott-Nelson, Co-Founder of Wellity Global

Name: Simon Scott-Nelson

Position/company: Co-Founder, Wellity Global

How would you describe your business to a total stranger?

Wellity Global is now the world’s leading training consultancy for workplace mental health and wellbeing that’s trained over 1,000,000 employees and senior leadership teams worldwide. Wellity delivers an extensive catalogue of HR, L&D, leadership, mental health, wellbeing and EDI training titles across 80+ countries, encompassing all time zones, sectors, and industries. We have also co-founded the Great British Workplace Wellbeing Awards, now in its fourth year, which acknowledges and appreciates the nations changemakers in this field.

Your previous roles:

Following the successful sale of my estate agency group in 2017, I redirected my entrepreneurial career path and drawing from my own experiences my work now focuses on nurturing healthy work cultures and catalysing positive transformation in leadership dynamics. I am proud to say that Wellity Global now has 250+ facilitators delivering over 450 different training titles around the world, collaborating with brands such as Amazon, Bentley, Royal Foundation, Aviva plc, Moet and Nokia, whilst also supporting demanding public sector organisations such as the Met Police, the NHS, UK Home Office and the national ambulance service, in helping their teams transition through change.

Other information (eg. other positions held, charity roles)

To support this due-diligence, I am also a Fellow of the International Institute of Risk and Safety Management, Board Member at R;pple Suicide Prevention Charity and I am the current serving Chair of the National Institute of Sales Professionals’ Mental Health and Wellbeing Committee. In previous years I have been a Board Member at Planet Earth Games, at Young Enterprise UK and have also worked with Jamie Oliver on the Bite Back 2023 charity to help halve childhood obesity levels by 2030.

What do you do outside work? (hobbies/interests):

Outside of work, my advocacy naturally extended to empowering women, driven by insights gained from raising two teenage daughters as a single father and caring for my mum.

Witnessing first-hand the challenges women face, I became a fervent advocate for gender equality. My commitment extends to addressing sensitive and challenging topics which has included chairing a panel discussion to highlight Sexual Assault Awareness Month (#SAAM) for Aviva plc, a discussion which led to the creation of a companywide charter for protecting and supporting staff who may be victim to external abuse and assaults. I also sit on many panels and regularly chair exec board meetings around neurodiversity, domestic violence awareness and men’s mental health including the ‘Man Down’ campaign, which was formed with the Home Office, Cabinet Office, Border Force, Passport Office, and the Civil Service. We are now trying to improve the Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in the insurance industry with the Insurance X-Change Group which we formed with the UK exec leads at Aviva, Legal and General, Aon, Howden Group, Allianz and Premium Credit. This is around helping all generations work together productively.

Socially, I also enjoy watching the Exeter Chiefs rugby team, keeping fit and ran the London Marathon for London Sport in 2023.

How long have you been an IoD member?

Since January 2024 – I am looking forward to being an integral part of this community that I have held in high esteem for many years.

Why did you join the IoD?

I have always been aware of the IoD, however I was previously based in the South West. Now that our Head Office has been in Essex for three years, and I am always in London, it makes complete sense for me to be introduced to the community and learn from its members. I am looking forward to connecting both in a work capacity and also socially.

Which parts of IoD membership do you value most?

The community, networking opportunities, and creating long lasting relationships.

How would you describe your mission to a total stranger?

In essence, my overarching goal is to create environments where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to lead fulfilling lives. By advocating for healthier work cultures, gender equality, and professional development, I endeavour to use my experiences to enhance the welfare of individuals and contribute to a more inclusive and supportive society.

What is the most important issue for the government to tackle?

We are in the process of launching the first global mental health training programme that is culturally specific in every territory around the world to make mental health more training more accessible to all. Supporting the leadership teams in looking after the mental health of their teams is something that we are looking to work with the government on and look forward to their support.

What do you hope to be doing in 10 years’ time?

In 10 years’ time I hope to lead or be part of an international leadership body which designs and implements benchmarks, standards and new policies around workplace mental health and wellbeing. I look forward to working domestically within the UK and globally with HR teams, governments, leading academics, and ED&I / L&D leads to help people cope with change, reduce suicide levels, encourage psychological safety, and allow both employees and organisations to thrive. 

LinkedIn profile: Simon Scott-Nelson