Rapid expansion for digital workplace well-being platform

A Yorkshire-based workplace wellbeing start-up has expanded rapidly since the start of the pandemic, growing from two full-time staff members to at least eight in the last year.

Champion Health is a digital wellbeing platform that enables UK businesses to support and improve their employees’ wellbeing.

Based in Sheffield, the company was founded by chief executive officer Harry Bliss and chief creative director Ricky Bailey.

After losing a close friend to suicide in 2018, as a result of workplace stress, Bliss set out on a mission to change and save lives through Champion Health.

A key aim of the organisation is for all employees to put proactive wellbeing and support measures in place and create cultures where there isn’t a fear of talking about mental or physical health problems.

Over the last year, the venture has hired six new full-time team members and over 50 external experts and contributors, ranging from GPs to academics.

New full-time hires are; Alex Bennet as marketing lead, Laura Dallas as wellbeing lead, Joe Pindar as wellbeing executive, Myles Fearnley as head of videography, Steve Brumpton as lead software engineer and a soon-to-be announced head of impact.

Bennett joined following a role at the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) and is the start-up’s first marketing-focused employee.

He said: “After losing my brother to suicide in 2018, I was following Champion’s head of mission, Steve Phillip, on LinkedIn – as he was also bereaved by suicide. He shared Champion’s post regarding the role’s recruitment and the rest is history.

“I love working in a young and energetic team of people who share my personal values and are prepared to stick to them in a business environment.’

Dallas has come from the NHS memory service, where she worked as an assistant psychologist supporting those affected by dementia. As wellbeing lead, she now heads up everything wellbeing-related in the team.

She said: “The guys I work with are great and so supportive it really feels like I have a second family. The work itself is exciting, fast-paced and very varied.

“I love working with our clients and it’s refreshing to see the motivation and drive that many of them have to make their workplace a healthier environment for their employees.”

Champion Health made its online mental health training platform free in response to the impact of Covid-19 on employee mental wellbeing in March last year.

It is part of TwinklHive, a Sheffield-based business accelerator created by the global educational publisher Twinkl.

TwinklHive provides residency, investment and a range of business support to emerging companies that make a difference.