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Wellness, Wisdom, and a Spiral to Success: Kicking off 2026 in London!

Written by Roxanne Opas | 21 Jan 2026

A little London rain couldn't dampen the spirits of our incredible Symposium and Club 100 members last week! We kicked off our first Huddles of 2026 with a sold-out turnout and a theme close to all our hearts: Wellness.

We’re not just talking about healthy GM programmes, but the wellness of our amazing GM professionals, too. Each attendee headed home with a bespoke wellness bag to help them de-stress - because let’s face it, in this industry, we all need a little "me time"!


The Great Wellness Debate: Swimming vs. Sponge Cake

We started the sessions by breaking the ice and sharing our personal wellness hacks. From the brave souls who enjoy outdoor swimming (brrr!) to the runners and music lovers, the room was full of inspiration. Although, I must admit, I didn't feel too guilty for admitting that my personal wellness strategy usually involves a very large slice of cake!

Are We Going in Circles?

Our first deep-dive session asked the big question: Is GM just recycling the same old solutions? The consensus? We’re actually in a "gentle upwards spiral." While we might face similar challenges year after year, we’re tackling them with more sophistication, better tech, and sharper insights every time we come around.

Corporate Spotlights: The Trailblazers

We were treated to some brilliant corporate updates that proved 2026 is going to be a busy one:

  • Ben Tuvey (Ericsson): A massive welcome to Ben, who received a true Expat Academy initiation! He shared his vision for transforming GM into a high-value, strategic
    partner for the business.
  • Clare Eskriett (Hogan Lovells): A true network veteran, Clare is juggling global policies, new analytics, and remote working initiatives. We needed a sit-down just listening to her impressive to-do list!
  • Matt Stephen (RELX): Matt is masterfully scaling back his programme and sourcing the perfect tech and providers to streamline the future. We can’t wait to see the results.

And the Award Goes To...

The community spirit was at an all-time high as we celebrated our latest award winners. These individuals represent the very best of our network, thank you for everything you contribute!

  • Symposium UK Key Contributor: Imogen Green, Sky
  • Symposium UK GMPD Star Learner: Molly-Anne Woodburn, Mott MacDonald
  • Club 100 UK Key Contributor: Helen Harfield, Unipart Group
  • Club 100 UK GMPD Star Learner: Selina Cheshire, Pinsent Masons

Identity Crises

We also tackled the classic dinner-party question: "What is it you actually do?" As the role evolves, we debated whether "Global Mobility" even describes us anymore. Have our job descriptions and budgets kept pace with reality? And where exactly do we draw those lines?!

Technology and Technical Updates!

To keep the energy high, the Symposium group tackled "Data Overload" with a hands-on look at the new Equus Connect technology. There were chocolate bars up for grabs for the winners—and let’s be honest, chocolate is definitely a wellness essential! Meanwhile, over at Club 100, the Grant Thornton team kept us on the right side of the law with vital updates including the EU Pay Transparency Directive, National Minimum Wage and NIC calculations.

 

Antoine on Trial

We wrapped up with "GM on Trial," where the room split into Prosecution and Defence to argue the case for a policy exception for our new favourite (and slightly demanding!) assignee, Antoine. The creativity in the room was off the charts!

The Verdict? We ended the week the only way we know how: with drinks, networking, and a massive sense of optimism. If these Huddles are anything to go by, 2026 is going to be a year of incredible collaboration.