George

Mental Health First Aid Instructor | Registered Mental Health Nurse | Senior Leader

George brings a distinctive combination of experience in mental health, financial services, military leadership and organisational development to Go Giraffe.

A Registered Mental Health Nurse (RMN) with over 18 year's NHS experience, George is currently Associate Director for Suicide Prevention at Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust. In this senior leadership role, he works across clinical services and partner organisations to strengthen suicide prevention, patient safety, workforce education and organisational approaches to mental health.

Before entering healthcare, George enjoyed a successful career in financial services, including senior bank management and director-level positions. He held regulatory approval under the financial services framework for over a decade and gained professional qualifications including CeMAP, FPC, CeFA, and Securities and Investment qualifications. This experience gives him valuable insight into commercial environments, workplace pressures, leadership accountability and employee wellbeing.

George also served for over 15 years in the British Army Reserve, reaching the rank of Major. As a Mental Health Nursing Officer and Officer Commanding, he combined clinical expertise with military leadership, operational responsibilities and personnel development. His experience includes delivering mental health first aid training to service personnel, supporting mental health awareness and developing resilience within demanding operational environments.

Alongside his clinical and leadership experience, George has a strong interest in education, coaching and mentoring. He has supported the professional development of individuals and teams, helping people build confidence, develop leadership skills and navigate challenging situations.

George holds a Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE), a Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) and a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) in Senior Leadership, and is currently studying towards an MBA at the University of Portsmouth.

He is also a qualified and registered Nuco Training instructor/assessor, authorised to deliver accredited First Aid Awards (FAA) qualifications in First Aid for Mental Health at Levels 1, 2 and 3.

George's approach to training

George believes effective mental health training should be practical, engaging and relevant to the workplace. Drawing on his experience in business, healthcare and the military, he helps organisations develop the confidence to recognise mental health concerns, have supportive conversations and respond appropriately.

His aim is simple: to make mental health awareness part of everyday working life, helping people feel better supported and equipping managers and colleagues with the knowledge and confidence to make a difference.

Nick

Level 3 Mental Health Practitioner | Qualified Workplace Trainer | Experienced Business Owner & Senior Leader

Nick is a Level 3 qualified Mental Health Practitioner, workplace wellbeing trainer and experienced business leader with more than three decades of hands‑on experience in owning, managing and developing successful companies. His background gives him a rare blend of clinical understanding and real‑world commercial insight, making his training practical, relatable and grounded in the realities of modern workplaces.

Alongside his mental health practitioner qualification, Nick also holds a recognised teaching qualification, enabling him to design and deliver training that is structured, inclusive and accessible for learners at all levels. His approach combines evidence‑based mental health practice with clear, engaging teaching methods that help individuals and organisations build confidence, reduce stigma and strengthen wellbeing culture.

Nick’s professional journey includes founding and running a communications business, leading high‑performing sales teams, and supporting staff through periods of change, pressure and growth. These experiences give him a deep understanding of workplace stress, leadership challenges and the importance of psychological safety, insights he now brings directly into his mental health training.

He is also experienced in leadership development, allowing him to deliver training with sensitivity, authority and genuine care.

Today, Nick’s mission is simple: to help organisations create environments where people feel supported, understood and able to thrive. His training is warm, practical and rooted in lived experience, giving learners the tools they need to support themselves and others with confidence.