Mark O'Grady

Principal Consultant

My world of work has changed quite significantly over the last number of years. Having spent almost eighteen years working in the private sector, it was about five years ago when my work life, and personal life collided. Workplace stressors became unmanageable and that, coupled with a sequence of personal life events is what led me to where I am today.

I fully understand what it’s like to be part of a driven organisation that expects only the very best from its people. I’ve worked in highly pressurised, fast paced environments, steered heavily by key targets, and performance indicators. Responsibilities included line management, training and mentoring in addition to revenue growth and maximising profits. Resilience was a key attribute and there was very little room for failure.

In 2017 I was diagnosed with generalised anxiety disorder and panic disorder. My work/life balance was completely off kilter and my mental health bore the brunt of this. As part of my recovery I found myself retraining to become a Mental Health First Aid facilitator and what followed was a complete change in career with many new pathways opening up before me.

Drawing on both personal and professional lived experience, I take pride in making all facilitations as interactive and interesting as possible. I have a good understanding of the challenges faced by commercial organisations, their leaders and their people.

2019 – current: Principal Consultant at byrne·dean

2017 – present: Associate Instructor, Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England

2013 – 2017: Account Director, Madgex

2012 – 2013: Sales Manager, LoveLocal

2005 – 2011: National Account Manager, RELX Group,

2003 – 2005: Senior Sales Executive, Redactive Media Group

2001 – 2003: Sales Executive, Centaur Communications

2001 – 2001: Media Executive, Mediaedge:cia

1999 – 2001: Classifieds, Regional Press

BA (Hons) Business Management Studies, Cardiff University

Mental Health First Aid Instructor, MHFA England

Suicide First Aid Tutor (SFA) UK, City & Guilds

Level 2 Aware in Effective Listening Skills

Applied Suicide Intervention Skills (ASIST), Grassroots

"I thought the course was superb, useful, practical, thought provoking and powerful. In particular, I wanted to mention Mark. I have scored him Very Good as the highest option but actually he was beyond excellent. Occasionally you come across people that are very special and he is one of those people. He has an easy manner that is reassuring and he allows people to be quiet and reflective or to join in as much as they want to. I can't praise him enough and feel that he made the course all the more successful."

Articles from

Mark O'Grady

How best to support your Mental Health First Aiders and Champions

Guidance to organisations around creating and supporting your networks of mental health first aiders and championsEquipping a team of colleagues within ...

Let's Talk About Stress...

Today is Stress Awareness Day. Stress is something that each of us will face at some point in our lives. Low-level stress will come and go and for the m...

Suicide – it’s a big word. Let’s get comfortable with it.

Every year, thousands of people will end their lives by suicide with many more attempting to end their life in this way. People from all age groups and ...

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