Mandeep is Co-founder and CEO of Bendi ai, a technology start up that radically reduces the risk of human rights, environmental and governance risks for corporates in their supply chains. Mandeep previously spent 15 years’ in leadership positions across commercial and strategy consulting roles at the Boston Consulting Group, the British Business Bank and was Chief of Staff at the data science company Pivigo. She holds degrees in Economics and Philosophy from the School of Oriental and African Studies and The London School of Economics and Social Science. Mandeep currently serves as a trustee on the board of the South London Refugee Association and is a non-exec director for Series Q, a community interest company supporting LGBTQIA+ entrepreneurs in the UK. She lives in East London with her wife, the artist Fipsi Seilern and is a practicing buddhist, aspiring guitarist and avid crossfitter.

John McEvoy is SVP Chief Legal Officer at Poolbeg Pharma Plc and former Global General Counsel and member of Amryt Pharma plc Executive Leadership team. John is a Qualified lawyer in the US (New York), England and Wales and Ireland with experience in Corporate M&A, Tech, Media and Telecoms, Life Sciences and Commercial Contract matters. A proven General Counsel with experience in rapid growth and value for companies in the Pharma Sector both public (AIM and NASDAQ) and private. Significant experience in Executive Management and Board Director roles. John was identified and recognised as one of the most influential and innovative General Counsels in the Legal 500 (Legalease) GC Powerlist: Ireland 2022 and GC Powerlist: Ireland Teams 2023. Whilst being named Life Science Lawyer of the Year in 2023 at the Irish Legal Awards having been further nominated for Lawyer of the Year and In-House Lawyer of the Year in 2022 & 2023. John is also a Co-Founder and acts as Executive Chairman, Director and Board Member of Duality Healthcare Group – a network of private general practice and urgent care clinics throughout Northern Ireland as well as holds a board role on the Northern Ireland Rare Disease Partnership.

Shahroo is an award-winning Psychologist, addiction specialist and bestselling author. Her approach is inspired by her experience of working across the UK addiction treatment sector. She learned there that the evidence-based psychological programs proving most effective in treating addictions do not simply focus on how to change one habit. Instead, they more broadly equip individuals with a diverse range of simple, non-judgemental personal development tools for navigating everyday life and thriving day to day. They empower people to create entire lifestyles to accommodate their healthier habits. They help to build the fundamental self-compassion, self-belief and self-awareness required to make lasting and meaningful changes independently. Shahroo’s mission quickly became to equip the general population with variations on the harmless, evidence-based tools and approaches that she had witnessed transforming the lives of people who had lost faith in their ability to change for good (herself included). She began to simplify and combine the most effective, realistic and compassion-based elements of her learnings into a practical toolkit of written exercises and simple advice; constantly adapting and updating her offering based on new observations of what really worked for a vast range of different people facing a range of personal and professional challenges. Her approach quickly attracted widespread press interest from BBC, Forbes, The Times and many others. Shahroo's simple toolkits for habit-change evolved into two bestselling books, game-changing podcast appearances, sell-out coaching courses, Guardian and Evening Standard Masterclasses, a waiting list for private sessions (provided in response to ongoing demand) and sell-out workshops at global wellbeing events; as well as requests for keynotes and bespoke programs designed for organisations including Facebook, Amazon and Google.

Richard is an experienced sports administration professional with a decade of experience in education, integrity, development, and performance within international tennis. He is currently the Education Programmes Manager at the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and is the Co-Founder of The Tennis Black List, a platform celebrating Black and mixed-Black heritage excellence in tennis, both on and off the court. Richard holds a BSc in Sport and Exercise Science and an MSc in Sports Performance from the University of Bedfordshire, where he was named 2018 Alumnus of the Year. He frequently shares his expertise with students and staff, supporting the next generation of sports professionals. Passionate about equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), Richard is actively involved in the Lawn Tennis Association’s Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Accessibility (IDEA) Group and the ITIA’s EDI Group, helping drive meaningful change in tennis. In 2023, he was selected for the Sports Industry Group’s prestigious NextGen Leadership Programme, a year-long development initiative for the UK’s top 30 under 30 future sports leaders. Richard remains committed to leveraging the power of sport to drive positive social change and create opportunities for underrepresented communities.

David José currently leads the finance and commercial development functions for a growing IT services business and has held responsibility for professional services, technology, and manufacturing companies across the UK, USA, India, and other global locations over the past thirty years. He has extensive Board of Director experience and has been involved in company disposals, acquisitions, and the restructuring of existing operations. David studied Philosophy as an undergraduate at Bristol University before pursuing Finance at Stanford University. He is fluent in French and German. Based in Central London, David is married with two children and, when not working, can often be found as a (somewhat reluctant) taxi driver for his kids. He also enjoys cycling, travelling, and opera in his free time.

Professor Simon Gilbody, DSc, FMedSci is a globally recognised leader in mental health research, known for his pioneering work in scalable solutions for anxiety and depression. He is the founding Director of the Mental Health & Addictions Research Group (MHARG) at the University of York and has held a personal Chair in Psychiatric Epidemiology since 2007. Simon’s research focuses on promoting effective, efficient, and equitable mental health services, with a special emphasis on primary care, the interface between mental and physical health, and population-based interventions. His work has directly informed global evidence-based guidelines, including those by WHO and NICE. Among his many accolades, Simon was recently named in the top 1% of the world’s most influential published scientists and was elected Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences in 2023. His contributions include over 350 peer-reviewed publications and leadership in the creation of Third Age Therapeutics, a spinout delivering innovative mental health solutions at scale. Simon’s clinical training in psychology, medicine, and cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) underpins his research, and his qualifications include a Doctorate (DPhil) from York and a Higher Doctorate (DSc) in Clinical Epidemiology. Beyond his academic achievements, Simon is deeply committed to addressing the global challenges of mental ill health and loneliness. His work continues to shape innovative approaches to mental health care and population health worldwide.

Manish is a Senior Business Transformation Consultant with over 30 years of industry experience, specialising in designing and implementing target operating models across financial services and other sectors. His career has spanned the US, EMEA, and Asia Pacific regions, where he has successfully fostered relationships across C-level executives and the broader workforce—a key factor in his success. He holds a strong academic background from institutions such as the London School of Economics and London Business School, along with various professional certifications. This foundation has equipped him with a structured and methodical approach to his work. Additionally, he is cognisant of the emotional cycle of change when collaborating with clients and companies. Having worked in various management consulting firms, Manish has developed agility and fluidity in his work, enabling him to engage effectively in all aspects of transformation. Manish's commitment to addressing structural barriers in the workplace aligns seamlessly with MCG's mission to foster inclusive and supportive environments. His extensive experience and dedication to meaningful change make him a valuable addition to our advisory board.

Professor Paul Galdas is an internationally recognised leader in men’s health research, dedicated to understanding how masculinity influences health behaviours and developing practical interventions to enhance men's engagement with healthcare. His work has significantly shaped health policy and practice, providing evidence-based strategies that improve men's health outcomes globally. At the University of York, Paul leads pioneering research into gender-responsive health interventions, with a strong focus on translating evidence into real-world impact. His research has contributed to the development of policies and practices aimed at improving access to mental health support for men in diverse settings, from workplaces to sports organisations. His insights have informed global discussions on men’s health, influencing approaches to service design and public health initiatives. Paul's career began as a Coronary Care Nurse before he transitioned into research, earning his PhD at the University of Leeds in 2006. He has held academic positions in the UK and Canada, including at the University of British Columbia and the University of Sheffield, before joining York in 2011. Paul works closely with policymakers, healthcare providers, and industry leaders to bridge the gap between research and practice. His expertise continues to shape innovative, gender-informed strategies that improve men’s mental health and wellbeing at a national and international level.

Rebecca's commitment to driving positive change is deeply rooted in her personal journey through adversity and social mobility. With hands-on experience in frontline roles within multiple addiction charities, she has more recently transitioned into legal positions specialising in mental health and the not-for-profit sector. In 2021, Rebecca was honoured with the "Making a Difference in the Pandemic" award for her impactful work at CGL during the global health crisis. Rebecca has dedicated significant effort to supporting young people in addiction recovery, offering talks, mentoring, and podcasts. Through her work, she brings an authentic and vulnerable approach, traits she believes are essential for growth, empathy, and mutual understanding. Rebecca holds a first-class law degree, enriched with a focus on psychology, and earned exceptional feedback for her dissertation on drug policy. She interviewed organisations such as The Forward Trust, Mount Carmel, and Kairos Community Trust, while also building on Dame Carol Black’s groundbreaking research, which emphasises the importance of lived experience and trauma-informed approaches in addiction recovery. Additionally, Rebecca holds a certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and has a wealth of experience in mental health law. She currently works for a purpose-driven B-Corp law firm, where the work of the firm involves advising charities and not-for-profit organisations. Outside of her professional pursuits, Rebecca is passionate about fostering meaningful social impact by addressing taboo topics, encouraging connection, and demonstrating that success in the corporate world is not a linear journey - our past does not define our future.

Barbara’s commitment to workplace inclusion, social mobility, and talent development is reflected in her decade of experience across technology, financial services, and consulting. She has worked at WTW, Simply Business, Gousto, and Ocado Technology, specialising in early careers hiring, bias-aware recruitment strategies, and inclusive workplace policies. Throughout her career, Barbara has designed bias-aware hiring frameworks, led company-wide DEI initiatives, and developed inclusive interviewer training programmes, creating more equitable, high-performing workplaces. She has worked directly with hiring managers, leadership teams, and underrepresented talent, ensuring fair, transparent, and accessible career pathways. Her impact speaks for itself: reducing time-to-hire by 50%, increasing recruitment platform adoption by 65%, and developing early career programmes, including a Tech Academy focused on hiring underrepresented talent. Barbara holds certifications in Agile/Lean/Kanban methodologies for people functions and is a certified facilitator for sprints, retrospectives, and workshops. A champion for equity and systemic change, Barbara is committed to breaking down barriers, creating meaningful career opportunities, and ensuring workplace inclusion is more than just a conversation, it’s a commitment. Her expertise in workplace equity, recruitment strategy, and social mobility makes her an invaluable force on the MCG Consulting Advisory Board. We are beyond proud to have her join us as we drive real change.