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Wellbeing at Work Conference 2026

 

 

 

Wellbeing at Work Conference 2026: Practical insights, honest dialogue, and community connection

 

GibSams hosted the Wellbeing at Work Conference 2026 at the Sunborn Hotel in Gibraltar, bringing together organisations across sectors for breakout sessions, a keynote on wellbeing during change, and a panel discussion on what truly supports people at work.

On 7 May 2026, GibSams welcomed delegates to the Wellbeing at Work Conference 2026 at the Sunborn Hotel, Gibraltar, for a focused morning dedicated to a question many workplaces are grappling with: what does wellbeing at work look like in practice, especially during times of change?

From the first coffee and conversations at registration to the final reflections before lunch, the day brought together people from across Gibraltar’s organisations to share ideas, hear different perspectives, and learn from one another.

A shared purpose: wellbeing that is real, practical, and human

GibSams exists to help reduce suicide in Gibraltar by providing a confidential listening service for anyone experiencing emotional distress, despair, or suicidal feelings. Alongside that core service, we aim to raise awareness, strengthen community connection, and promote wellbeing at work so more people feel supported, heard, and able to seek help when they need it.

We also shared the work of GibSilver, our initiative supporting people aged 55 and over by reducing loneliness and strengthening wellbeing through companionship and meaningful connection.

Both services are built on the same belief: connection matters, and it can change outcomes.

Highlights from the programme

The conference opened with a welcome from GibSams Chair Peter Montegriffo KC, followed by an address from Minister Santos.

From there, the morning moved through a mix of breakout learning, a keynote session, and a panel discussion.

Breakout sessions: learning from what organisations are doing now

Delegates took part in two breakout blocks, exploring topics including:

  • Fostering Employee Engagement in the Workplace (Sadie Negron and Kyle Bear, HM Government of Gibraltar)
  • A look at how employee engagement is being strengthened across the public sector, including initiatives already introduced and lessons learned so far.
  • Introduction to Neurodiversity in the Workplace (Nicole Buckley, PossAbilities Charity)
  • A practical session on embracing equity for neurodivergence and disability, and supporting diverse abilities in teams.
  • How Can We Unite Generations for a Healthier Workplace? (Alexandra Buhagiar, Gibraltar Regulatory Authority)
  • Exploring how generational perspectives shape wellbeing, collaboration, and culture, with strategies to build more inclusive workplaces.
  • Beyond the Numbers: Measuring What Really Matters in Workplace Wellbeing (Aleks Girs, HR tech and People Lead, BV Group)
  • A session reframing wellbeing measurement as early-warning intelligence for leaders, focusing on pressure, burnout prevention, and psychological stability.
  • Beyond Perks: The Real ROI of Employee Wellbeing (Fiona Young, Ramparts)
  • A clear reminder that wellbeing initiatives only go so far without supportive leadership and strong communication, plus practical steps HR teams can take to strengthen day-to-day management capability.

Across the sessions, a consistent theme emerged: sustainable wellbeing is not “extra”, it is shaped by how people are led, how safe they feel to speak, and whether workplaces respond early to pressure and conflict.

Keynote: wellbeing during times of change

Our keynote speaker Fanny Lam-Lacoste delivered a session titled “Wellbeing during times of change.” Her approach was designed to be interactive and reflective, inviting delegates into conversation rather than passive listening.

The keynote focused on the role of agency, authenticity, shared responsibility, and connection, and how wellbeing at work is strengthened through trust and relationships, especially when uncertainty is part of the environment.

Panel discussion

The panel discussion was moderated by Hon Albert Isola CBE, with panel guests including:

  • Angelo Cerisola (HM Government of Gibraltar, Care Agency)
  • Zoe Trinidad (HR Director, BVGroup)
  • Gerry Kelly (Group CEO, Sovereign Group)

The panel format created space for honest discussion about what helps wellbeing “stick” in real workplaces, and what gets in the way.

What delegates told us afterwards

Feedback from the post-event survey was strongly positive especially around opportunities for discussion and dialogue.

Thank you to our sponsors, speakers, and venue

We are grateful to everyone who attended, spoke, facilitated, and helped make the day possible.

A special thank you to our conference sponsors for their support of the Wellbeing at Work Conference 2026: Bassadone, Masbro, MH Bland, Peninsula and Pretty Sailing. Your support helped us deliver the event and continue building momentum around wellbeing at work in Gibraltar.

We would also like to sincerely thank the Sunborn Hotel for hosting the conference and for their support in creating a welcoming, professional space for the day’s conversations, learning, and connection.

A call to action

If you are interested in volunteering, we would love to hear from you.

Volunteer with GibSams and GibSilver and help strengthen wellbeing in Gibraltar through confidential listening and meaningful companionship. If you can offer time, compassion, and a commitment to supporting others, please get in touch via volunteer@gibsams.gi.

 

Putting People First at the 2025 Wellbeing at Work Conference

 

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On Thursday 8 May, GibSams hosted our  annual Wellbeing at Work Conference at the Sunborn Hotel. This half-day event brought together leaders, HR professionals and wellbeing champions from across Gibraltar to explore how we can support mental health at work in more honest, human and practical ways.

A keynote that challenged and inspired

We were honoured to welcome Jon Alexander as our keynote speaker. Jon is the author of Citizens and a leading voice in the movement to create more inclusive and purpose-driven workplaces. His message was simple but powerful: stop doing things to or for people, and start doing things with them.

Jon encouraged us to rethink workplace wellbeing. Instead of relying on top-down strategies, he spoke about the value of trust, participation and shared purpose. He shared real-life examples of organisations that have embraced this approach, with staff leading the way in shaping healthier cultures.

Learning from each other

Before the keynote, attendees joined small group workshops led by local facilitators. These breakout sessions gave people the chance to share ideas and reflect on what wellbeing really means in a workplace context. Topics included:

  • How to build resilient teams and reduce stress through peer support
  • Ways to foster belonging and inclusion at work
  • Practical steps for embedding Wellbeing Leaders within organisations

The workshops created space for honest conversations and showed that real change often starts with small, intentional actions.

Local voices on what works

The morning continued with a panel discussion featuring representatives from Image Graphics, the GFSC, HM Government of Gibraltar and Masbro Insurance. They shared their experiences of introducing wellbeing initiatives in their own workplaces.

Masbro Insurance described how their staff-led Wellbeing Committee helped open up conversations and improve internal communication. Others spoke about the value of listening, being consistent, and encouraging all team members to take part.

The panel made one thing clear: wellbeing works best when it’s something people help shape together.

Celebrating the champions

The day ended with the 2025 Wellbeing at Work Awards. These awards shine a light on local organisations that are leading the way. From large companies to smaller NGOs, each winner showed how putting people first can lead to better morale, stronger teams and more positive workplaces.

What we’re taking away

As the morning came to a close, three clear themes stood out:

  • Wellbeing is about culture, not just benefits. What matters most is how people feel day to day.
  • When staff are part of the process, they become more engaged and connected.
  • Learning from each other helps us move forward as a community.

Thank you

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who made the day possible. Thank you to Jon Alexander, our brilliant facilitators, panel guests, award nominees and winners. Special thanks also go to our supporters: Trusted Novus Bank, Masbro Insurance, Peninsula Underwriting and Bassadone Automotive Group.

At GibSams, we believe workplace wellbeing is a shared journey. We continue to offer Wellbeing Leader Training, workplace workshops and group reflection sessions. If your organisation is ready to explore what wellbeing could look like in practice, we are here to help.

Let’s keep the conversation going. When we listen to each other, learn together and take action side by side, we can build workplaces where everyone feels they belong.