Emma N's story

I’m driven by a genuine desire to care for others, a value that has stayed with me since my days as a nurse. Supporting someone, offering guidance and simply being there when they need it is a privilege I never take for granted.
Emma Newlands, Senior Health & Wellbeing Manager

Tell us about your role

I lead the strategic development of wellbeing initiatives across the firm, helping to shape practices that foster a healthy and positive workplace culture. My role brings empathy and practical insight to provide health and wellbeing guidance, resources, and compassionate support to colleagues.

Morning routine

Start the day with a deep breath, coffee, and checking emails/to‑do list.
Meet with the IDW team or colleagues to plan upcoming health & wellbeing initiatives.
Hold one‑to‑one wellbeing conversations with colleagues.
Meet with BP colleagues to support their work from a health and wellbeing perspective.

Afternoon routine

Take a proper lunch break with a colleague to unwind and catch up.
Meetings focused on implementing wellbeing strategy.
Sometimes meet with external employee assistance providers to review service usage, trends, and ways to promote available support.

Evening routine

Set intentions for tomorrow using Evolve Time Management tips.
With a half‑empty nest, making an effort to add more activity into evenings.
Recently taken up Padel and learned the front crawl after avoiding it for years.
Occasionally fitting in gym sessions.

What advice would you give to your younger self?

I think back to the advice my granny gave me when I was little, insight that was well ahead of its time: “Take a deep breath and count to ten when you’re feeling like things are too much.” I wish I’d put that into practice more often when I was younger – it would have got me through the odd bump in the road with a bit more calm and clarity.

Why did you choose to work in health and wellbeing?

It might sound cliché, but I always wanted to be a nurse after spending time in hospital as a child. I remember being in awe of the kind people who made you feel better and I wanted to do the same. While I loved my time in hospital nursing, I was always drawn to supporting people in their everyday lives, combining care with practical knowledge around health and wellbeing. That led me into occupational health nursing, and as workplace wellbeing has evolved, I’ve seen the incredible impact of providing wellbeing support in a business setting.

If you could swap jobs with any fictional character for a day, who would it be?

Probably Mary Poppins – I’d head straight to my teenage son’s room, shout ‘spit-spot’, click my fingers and watch the cleaning commence!

What's your top tip for someone keen to pursue a similar career?

I think my top tip would be to take every opportunity that comes your way. Nursing opened so many doors for me, including the world of health and wellbeing, a space that still reflects the core values of my profession while offering experiences I could never have imagined. When I think back to my first days on a ward, I would never have dreamed of the opportunities this journey would bring, and saying yes has opened so many doors to a varied and valued career.

What three things can you not live without to do your job?

Laughter
Supportive colleagues
My all-important 3:30pm tea break!

Find out more about Emma and get in touch.

Interested in a career in Health and Wellbeing?

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Our values

By opening up our ways of thinking we can foster an inclusive workplace that embodies our values of courage, character, care, collaborative and collegiate

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Wellbeing

Creating a positive experience at work requires an approach to wellbeing that supports all our colleagues to achieve optimum physical and mental health in a way that works for them.

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