On Friday 8 June, Arthur Ellis: Mental Health Support won the 2018 Wellbeing Innovation Initiative competition after director Jon Manning presented their revolutionary app-based mental health support at a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style pitch event run by Anglian Water and the Business in the Community Wellbeing Leadership Team.? The runner-up was Intelligent Health for their ‘Beat the Street initiative.

Arthur Ellis Mental Health Support have won a £1,000 cash prize and will be mentored by Peter Simpson, Chief Executive Officer at Anglian Water, Susan Davies, Commercial Director at Santander Business Banking, Priscilla Li, Head of Applied Innovation Exchange at Capgemini UK and Patrick Watt, Commercial Director at Bupa Global. The judging panel also included Paul Geddes, Chief Executive Officer, Direct Line Group.

Peter Simpson, Anglian Water Chief Executive and chair of the BITC Wellbeing Leadership Team, said: “Supporting mental health and wellbeing in business could not be more important. A happy and healthy workforce is what makes a good organisation great, but it’s more than that. Happier, healthier, safer employees work better and provide a better service to customers. Our people are our greatest asset and I strongly believe we should feel happier for coming to work, which is why I’m looking forward to the opportunity to pilot the Arthur Ellis mental health app within our business.”

Patrick Watt, Commercial Director at Bupa Global said: “The business community has come a long way in terms of mental health awareness, but with increased awareness comes the need for more accessible and available support. Arthur Ellis Mental Health Support’s winning idea meets this need by combining an innovative approach to improving mental health….