WE ALL need to ‘be more human’
Thomas Duncan Bell, is known internationally as ‘The Bipolar Businessman’ and has become the most decorated mental health key note speaker and commentator in the UK & Europe, with over 400 events under his belt, Thomas’ focus is to help people become more sustainably happy. Formerly a FTSE 500 commercial consultant, Thomas burnt out in 2015, after 10 years running successful businesses, while living on the bipolar spectrum “with a side order of ADHD & PTSD” - he has now shared his story with millions of people around the world. Thomas works with individuals, brands and businesses, to engage and evolve people on a more human level while encouraging their evolution of self.
"Thomas’ lived experiences and ability to understand human context makes him uniquely positioned to do good work building mentally resilient people and workplaces."
— Karen Rivoire - Global Equality Director at IKEA, formerly Global HR Director at Unilever & Chief HR Officer at Kantar Group
WHAT DOES THOMAS DO FOR BUSINESSES?
Thomas’ focus when working with companies is to make their approach to wellbeing much more human. There are plenty of ‘tick box exercises’ that you’re going to want to implement… but that’s not his approach! Thomas creates initiatives that empower your staff at every level of the hierarchy, with one simple mission, to make them more mentally resilient, and more human. “If you think that by training a few mental health first aiders, that you’ve got wellbeing sorted, you’re in trouble! If you don’t engage your employees in cultivating a culture of empathy, adaptability, and challenge mindset, then your business has a shelf life.”
Starting his first company in 2006, at the age of 20, Thomas has since, made many of the biggest companies in the world, millions £’s, in many different industry sectors; all based on what he call’s the ‘Bipolar Benefits’ - his ethical and human approach to business and commercial development.
Speaking out since 2015 about how he lives his life on the bipolar spectrum, with a side order of ADHD & PTSD, Thomas has had millions of people share his story globally, and is living proof that there is a repeatable process for becoming more mentally resilient and successful, even while living with debilitating mental ill health, and it works for everyone who chooses to apply themselves.
His focus is now to share his story, and teach as many people as possible how to be individually resilient, that they may better change their lives more sustainably, for the better, forever!
In working with Thomas, you’re going to save lives across your business, it’s really that simple. There will be reduced absenteeism, increased productivity, and he will help you breed a positive culture, that stands the test of time! With mental ill health still on the rise globally, you simply can’t put a price on that.
“HAVING WORKED WITH me at Unilever, HSBC & Barclays, THOMAS gives a very vulnerable and authentic illustration of his own mental health challenges & has the ability to bring humour to a very serious subject. I would recommend thomas to any organisation who wants to encourage others to tell their stories and in so doing, address the stigma of mental ill health in workplaces.”
— Geoff McDonald - Former Global VP of HR at Unilever, Global Mental Health Speaker & Consultant, Co-Founder of Minds@Work
meet the mad men behind the scenes
Mark Pigou & Simon Berger, are two of the Investor Shareholders and Non-Executive Directors behind Thomas and his innovative business. After catapulting into the mental health limelight, struggling with the ethics of earning a living, while simply wanting to save peoples lives, Thomas was lost as to how to approach launching his idea for change, and transitioning from Global Commercial Director consulting roles, into a business that made him feel like he was actually making a difference in the world full time.
What many don’t know is that over 200 of Thomas’ first key note events, he did either free of charge, or donating all funds to his charities. This meant that his petrol, flights, trains and all that went into even attending the engagements, was funded completely off his own back, not an inexpensive endeavour, and far from sustainable.
In 2020, Thomas’ friend Mark, introduced him to Simon, who mentored Thomas to help him understand that people who do good things, can also be clever commercial individuals and he helped the bipolar entrepreneur to understand the value of his own internal I.P.
Mark & Simon, who run Make A Difference Events - including the Mad World Summit and The Watercooler Event, some of the biggest mental health conferences in the world, then decided to invest in MY WHOLE SELF, and support Thomas to realise his dream of changing lives for a living.
Thomas said “Mark & Simon don’t care about money, they care about me and in turn have allowed me to realise my full potential in becoming arguably one of the most successful mental health commentators in the world. They are the fathers I never had!”
Make A Difference Events
-
Mad World Summit
The objective at Mad World is to shift the wellbeing conversation up a gear; evolving the conversation from stigma to solutions. By focusing on fresh thinking, we draw in those that have not yet been reached, as well as those looking for ways to bolster commitment to staff mental health, wellbeing and workplace culture.
-
The Watercooler Event
The Watercooler is a free to attend, two-day exhibition and conference on workplace wellbeing and the future of work. The event brings together the very latest thinking from over 100 experts, alongside actionable and tangible solutions, to holistically support the health, mental health and wellbeing of employees across the UK and beyond.