Let’s talk about grief - Bereavement panel discussion
Discussions with our business members when developing the proposition for Grand Union BID identified a wide range of employee networks and support for colleagues working here in Paddington. This was coupled with a recognition however that not all issues could be covered by networks and staff identified a role for the BID to fill gaps.
Whilst many of you celebrated your thriving employee resource groups and active networks focused on women, LGBTQ+, disability and BAME, to name but a few, we heard repeatedly about a lack of space for colleagues to discuss and receive support with bereavement and its impact in the workplace.
As the BID went live in June, a follow up wellbeing survey was shared with all BID members to help inform our initial work in this area. The response, unanimously, was for support on issues related to bereavement.
As part of National Grief Awareness Week (2 – 8 December 2025) - an annual campaign organised by the Good Grief Trust – we are delighted to announce the first in our wellbeing series, focusing on bereavement.
This in-person panel discussion, which will take place in February 2026, is open to all our members - colleagues from HR and with line management responsibility, individuals with their own experience of loss and anyone passionate about championing colleague wellbeing. You do not have to be a manager to attend, you could be interested in how to support a colleague going through a bereavement, or you could have recently suffered a bereavement yourself and want to discuss your experiences with others in this space.
Date: Thursday 12 February 2026
Time: 2 – 4pm, to include time for relaxed conversations and reflections at the end of the panel discussion.
Venue: Visa, at 1 Sheldon Square, have generously provided a space for this panel event.
We are thrilled to be joined by a fantastic panel of speakers, most drawn directly from our BID members and all from the Paddington community.
Gail Scott-Spicer, CEO of The Imperial Health Charity
Gail is CEO of Imperial Health Chairty, which fundraises for better hospital buildings, facilities, equipment and research at St Mary’s Hospital here in Paddington and across Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust’s hospitals and satellite sites. Prior to joining the charity earlier this year, Gail was Chief Executive at King’s College Hospital Chairty and had also led the Carers Trust. Her career portfolio demonstrates a commitment to changing society, caring for those often ignored and tackling difficult conversations. Gail will draw on these strong values and skills to facilitate the panel discussion.
Harley Cunningham, VMO2
In 2021, Harley lost her son James suddenly to bronchopneumonia. At the time, all Harley received from her employer was a BUPA occupational health phone number. When she returned to work, Harley spoke to over 400 colleagues and used the findings to present a new bereavement support strategy to the business. In response, senior leadership at VMO2 pledged £200K annually to implement her proposed changes and the company is now best-in-class at supporting bereaved employees. In November 2022 Harley was recognised for her contribution when she won the Outstanding Returner award at the Women in Tech Excellence Awards. Harley still works for VMO2, volunteers as a befriender with Twins Trust, is a bereavement counsellor with CRUSE and holds qualifications as a mental health first aider.
Ed Sides, Equinor
Ed is Head of HR at Equinor, an international energy company with offices based here in Paddington. Ed will talk about how Equinor’s values shape the company’s response in scenarios around bereavement. He will talk specifically about how Equinor helped support families and colleagues in the wake of tragic incidents, including CHC flight 241 and the In Amenas hostage crisis. He will share the important role HR can play in the event of death, to minimise the impact and pressure on families.
Pamela Murphy, QEII Jubilee School
Pamela is head teacher at QEII Jubilee School, a special school in North Paddington for children with complex learning and physical disabilities. These conditions can be life-limiting or result in sudden death. Pamela will share the impact of bereavement in a community context and specifically the support provided by the school to its staff and pupils as they respond to grief and support one another. A key focus has been developing the whole school communities emotional intelligence around death and dying.
A member of the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust Bereavement Team will also be present and available to speak to anyone if topics becoming triggering, upsetting or you wish to discuss anything on a quieter, individual basis.
It promises to be a thought-provoking discussion and we really hope you can join us.
If you have any questions about this event or have suggestions for future topics in our wellbeing series, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We would love to talk to you.