About Headtorch
Headtorch was born from a vision and desire to create change
- To reframe the narrative on workplace mental health
- To be bold, brave, and have the conversations that weren’t happening
We grew by looking at the world in a new way, being prepared to challenge – and to care.
Our story: how it began
In the early 2000’s, almost no one was thinking about the impact of mental health in the workplace – to many it didn’t exist.
That’s when Amy McDonald developed “The Cynthia Show”. A workplace programme that got people thinking differently about workplace mental health, its initial clients included PepsiCo.
It was the foundation of Headtorch.
Meet the full teamOur ethos
We started by saying “let’s be proactive, preventative and think positively.”
This is fundamental to what we do.
We’re obsessed with making a deep and measurable impact. No “sticking plaster” solutions here.
How we help you
We’re ready to take your brief, whether you’re:
- Kickstarting your mental health strategy
- Developing people managers who are confident
- Introducing organisation wide mental health initiatives
Our Team
The Headtorch Team is made up of specialists in learning & development and psychology, backed up by clinical and legal professionals. When it comes to workplace mental health, we know what works.
Amy McDonald
CEO & FounderAmy has specialised in workplace mental health for the best part of 20 years.
She creates the conditions for individuals and teams to grow, ensuring positive change in respect of workplace mental health & wellbeing. She has a background in business, mediation, coaching and theatre – bringing issues to life using drama for safe learning.
Angus Robinson
Executive ChairmanAngus is expert in workplace mental health. With an engineering background he has a proven track record in business creation and growth. He previously worked in general management, engineering, technical, and commercial roles in multi-national companies including in the medical, nuclear, engineering and manufacturing sectors. His career started as an apprentice in the Glasgow shipyards, before going on to get an engineering degree and MBA.
Nick Lander
Operations ManagerAfter a career as an orchestral musician with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra, Nick switched into orchestral management, initially at the RLPO. Prior to working with Headtorch he was Operations Director at the Royal Scottish National Orchestra with responsibilities for overseeing all national and international orchestral activities, including tour arrangements, recruitment, personal development and wellbeing of musicians.
Alice Chan
Marketing ManagerAlice is an experienced and creative Marketing Manager and has worked in mental health & wellbeing, the tech and hospitality industries. She’s skilled in marketing strategy, digital marketing, social media and special events. Alice is an entrepreneur in her own right and has a background in business enterprise and events management.
Dr Linda Craig
Clinical DirectorLinda is a Senior Clinical Psychologist with extensive experience of working with people who have mental health difficulties.
She is trained in the delivery of several evidence based clinical interventions for the treatment of mood and anxiety disorders, eating disorders, trauma, self-harm and suicidal ideation, and emotion dysregulation.
Alongside her clinical work, she provides training, consultation, and supervision to multidisciplinary professionals within NHS and independent sectors.
She gives expert clinical advice on the solutions developed and delivered by Headtorch.
Tom Craig
Non-Executive DirectorTom founded Craig Corporate in 1985 where he is now Chairman. He sits on the board of several companies across the UK and has also been Chairman of the Scottish Golf Union.
He is a qualified Chartered Accountant and worked in management consultancy, before joining the world of entrepreneurship and setting up and owning a number of companies.
Randal Charlton
Non-Executive DirectorRandal is a serial entrepreneur having worked in journalism and business over a long career. He’s been involved in numerous early-stage companies, mostly focused on health care and agriculture, and been CEO of two public companies.
He was also a director of Tech Town Business Incubator in Detroit, USA helping new companies to re-build the economy of the city. A key part of this was focussing on the wellbeing of everyone involved.
Stephen McAllister
Special AdvisorStephen retired as a Divisional Commander at Police Scotland after a 30 year career during which he held a variety of Uniform and Specialist roles. He was a Hostage and Crisis Negotiator for 16 years and part of the United Kingdom’s International Negotiating Cadre. He has a background in psychology, forensics and counselling.
Stephen is a Trustee at The Samaritans, Chairman of Lifelink, and a board member of various organisations including two NHS Trusts.
Geoff McDonald
Special AdvisorGeoff was previously the Global Vice President Human Resources, Talent, Marketing, Communications, Sustainability & Water for Unilever. In a career spanning 25 years, Geoff worked in many different areas of the business including transforming the business model to embed Purpose at its core.
He is now a global ambassador for mental health, and both speaks and consults with major organisations across the world.
Julie Nerney
Special AdvisorJulie is a transformational leader, serial entrepreneur and non-executive director.
She has experience of every stage of the organisational life cycle. She’s delivered high profile and complex programmes, including a leadership role in the transport operation for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Julie has worked with over a hundred organisations spanning a wide variety of industries across the private, public and third sectors.
She’s a guest lecturer for Oxford Said Business School’s Global Leadership Development programme; for the Institute of Directors; a keynote speaker on leadership and wellbeing topics; and a published author of two business books.
Jane Wheeler
Special Advisor, Employment LawJane is an employment lawyer who works with both employers and employees on tricky issues within the workplace.
She regularly advises on mental health: helping employers to understand their legal obligations towards employees who have mental health difficulties; and helping employees who are experiencing mental health difficulties to get a positive outcome.