Ground-breaking report reveals a hidden mental health crisis among business leaders, with only 27% comfortable seeking support. Backed by 338 leaders’ voices and real-life stories, it calls for urgent action to prioritise leadership wellbeing
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Mental Health Campaigner, Gary Parsons marks one year of the Leaders in Disguise podcast with new research revealing the hidden pressures faced by business leaders across the region and beyond.
To mark its first anniversary, the ground-breaking podcast Leaders in Disguise is releasing a remastered version of its debut episode and unveiling powerful new findings from a collaboration with the East Midlands Chamber of Commerce.
The podcast, founded by Derbyshire entrepreneur Gary Parsons, was created to break the silence around mental health and wellbeing in leadership. It launched in May 2024 after Gary stepped down as CEO of a multi-award-winning business he co-founded and led for 15 years. Despite its success, with clients across multiple countries, Gary was privately battling depression - a struggle that inspired him to share his story and encourage others to do the same.
To coincide with the anniversary, Gary worked with East Midlands Chamber to include a set of bespoke leadership wellbeing questions in the Q1 2025 Quarterly Economic Survey. The results - from 338 business leaders - confirm a growing mental health crisis behind the scenes of UK leadership.
Key findings include:
“These aren’t just personal stories, they’re warnings” says Gary Parsons. “I always knew there was a problem getting leaders to speak out, but I didn’t realise just how widespread it was until this past year. Through Leaders in Disguise, I’ve heard story after story of people achieving incredible success while privately battling burnout, isolation, or mental health challenges. Many are risking it all behind the scenes with little or no support. We need to stop treating leadership wellbeing as optional. Leaders are the lifeblood of our economy - and right now, far too many are suffering in silence.”
Since launching, the podcast has featured exclusive conversations with CEOs, founders, and high-profile leaders across sectors - many based in or with ties to the East Midlands. The platform continues to grow, with listeners tuning in across the UK.
East Midlands Chamber’s Director of Policy and Insight Richard Blackmore said:
“Supporting the mental health and wellbeing of business leaders and all levels of a workforce is essential to building a resilient, productive economy. The findings of this research help better understand the pressures facing those at the top, which in turn will help shape a future where leadership and wellbeing go hand in hand.”
The findings he refers to are part of a detailed 11-page report released this week, offering insights, recommendations, and commentary from Gary Parsons.
The remastered version of Gary’s original episode - the one that started it all - is a powerful reminder of why this conversation matters. It encourages more leaders to speak up and seek support.
Leaders in Disguise is available now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.
Access the Full Report
The full report, “Leaders in Disguise: The Truth Behind the Mask - A Leadership Wellbeing Report”, is available now and includes data from over 300 business leaders, a detailed analysis of key themes, and a powerful case study. Access Report Here (LINK)
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Contact Information: - Name: Gary Parsons - Role: Leadership Mental Health Advocate - Company: Gary Parsons UK Limited - Phone: 07903696236 - Website: <https://garyparsons.uk/> - More Details: https://garyparsons.uk/blog/leadership-wellbeing-report-2025/
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