With one in five people in the UK taking at least one day off a year due to stress, and even more worryingly 93 percent of these lying about the reason for their absence, it’s clear that mental illness is both increasingly prevalent, and yet still a taboo subject. Kevin Rogers, CEO of Paycare – a not-for-profit health cover provider – outlines the impact of mental health on not only the employee, but the business as a whole, explains how companies can up their game to ensure their workforce feel empowered and supported, and discusses what measures they can put in place to ultimately ensure a happier, healthier and more profitable bottom-line.

Coats, the world’s leading industrial thread and consumer textile crafts business, has appointed Valerie Hayden as Human Resources Director, Asia, Industrial. Valerie joins from Dentsu Aegis Network, a global media group, where she was Regional Head of Human Resources, Asia Pacific. Valerie will work on all aspects of HR to help support the growth of Coats’ Industrial business in Asia.  This includes HR leadership and advice on talent management, performance management, engagement, recruitment and reward.  She will also be a member of Coats’ Asia leadership team. 

Valerie has more than 25 years' HR experience gained across a broad range of industries including manufacturing. She has been based in Asia for nearly 20 years and former roles include Senior Vice President, Human Resources at Swiss Re, as well as senior HR positions at Rolls Royce Singapore, Novell Asia Pacific (a business software provider) and Hilton International, Middle East and Asia Pacific. Andy Speak, Chief HR Officer, Coats, said: Valerie’s broad range of experience and base in Singapore ideally position her to provide HR leadership to the Asia management team and to lead and mentor the Asia HR team.'

Valerie has a Bachelor of Arts in International Business and Organisational Management from Illinois State University where she also won the Outstanding Senior in International Business award for the highest grade point average in her year.  She is certified in various registered psychometric tools and courses including MBTI (Myers Briggs Type Indicator), Firo-B, OPQ and the full suite of SHL’s assessment tools.  Valerie is also a professionally trained Executive Coach. Valerie reports to Ashok Mathur, Chief Operating Officer, Asia Industrial and is based in Singapore.