Biography

Nathan is a Registered Occupational Psychologist and works as a Principal Consultant at Affinity and supports a range of client projects – bringing together existing evidence and expert opinion to create new tools and more in-depth understanding of workplace wellbeing challenges.

Having worked in leadership positions in major national charities, he is passionate about supporting people to thrive at work and enabling individuals and teams to be successful.

Nathan is also currently working towards a professional doctorate in Occupational Psychology. His specialist areas of interest include inclusion, effective management practices, and supportive and safe teams.

Session

Evolving our understanding of psychosocial risks

Looking at adapting our ways of approaching psychosocial risk, examining new hazards in the workplace (e.g. cognitive demands, job insecurity etc.) and evolving legislation and enforcement and the implications for the recommendations we make, taking a more systems-based approach.

Biography

Helen Vangikar is an independent Toxicology Consultant who has worked in the field of analytical chemistry and toxicology since 1988.

Since 1990 Helen has commissioned two laboratories from concept to accreditation, successfully gaining United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025. Both laboratories complied with the European Workplace Drug Testing Society (EWDTS) guidelines. Helen is a Past President of the EWDTS.

Since 1994, Helen has developed a number of training courses, including her well respected Medical Review Officer (MRO) courses gaining Faculty of Occupational Medicine accreditation, for occupational health professionals. These courses have been delivered to UK and International delegates, within the UK and overseas.

Currently Helen is the technical lead for the Society of Occupational Medicine Special Interest Group on workplace drug and alcohol issues, currently discussing privately prescribed cannabis, CBD and other topics. In addition, she is Co-Chair to the Health in Construction Leadership Group [HCLG] and part of the FOM group updating the Faculty’s guidelines on workplace drug testing published in May 2026.

Session

Drugs: Street v Prescribed

The change in legislation around cannabis has presented the world of workplace drug testing with an additional challenge. Drugs such as morphine and amphetamine have spanned the realm of street or prescribed for many years, however the popularity and heavy marketing of privately prescribed cannabis has created a new dilemma.

Can testing differentiate between street and prescribed? What approaches can be taken during consultations? How can the risk be managed?

This session will aim to share the testing options and look at best practice when undertaking medical reviews.

Biography

Mark Landon is an Employment Partner and the national Head of Client Training at Weightmans LLP Solicitors, a top 50 national law firm. Mark has nearly 40 years’ experience as an Employment specialist, working both in private practice and in-house, and provides advice and training to a wide range of public and private sector clients on employment issues and business skills.

In addition to his day job, Mark is..

• an Honorary Fellow and a former Ethics Committee member of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine;
• a Fellow of the Royal Society for Public Health; and
• a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

Mark is also a co-author of the equality chapter of the 6th Edition of ‘Fitness for Work’, published by the Oxford University Press, and was previously a member of the Law Society’s Equality & Diversity Committee as well as being a long-serving trustee of a national disability charity.

Session

Managing stress in the workplace - legal and practical considerations

Taking proactive steps to manage the stress and mental wellbeing of staff in the workplace makes overwhelming ethical and commercial sense. In addition, there are serious legal consequences for those organisations which fail to anticipate and address foreseeable problems, and for those which fail to take prompt remedial action when unexpected issues arise.

Mark Landon will explain the key legal considerations involved – including the lessons derived from case law over the years – as well as looking at how compliance with these legal considerations translates into practical management action. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions. 

Biography

Dr Robin Cordell is an accredited specialist in occupational medicine engaged in day to day clinical practice with broad experience in medical leadership, including more than 20 years in the Defence Medical Services, in his current roles as Chair and co-founder of Cordell Health, as President of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (FOM) since September 2024. Robin is also Chair of the College of Work and Health, launched on 25th March 2026.

Prior to forming Cordell Health, Robin spent 9 years in the NHS and then served for more than 20 years in the Defence Medical Services (DMS), in a mix of clinical and senior leadership roles, including in Afghanistan. Within the last five years of this role he was NATO Allied Command Operations Medical Advisor, based at SHAPE in Belgium, responsible for co-ordination of medical support to all NATO operations. Following this, his last appointments in the DMS was as Head of Medical Policy and Strategy at HQ Surgeon General.

Robin is also an examiner for the FOM's Diploma in Occupational Medicine (DOccMed) and the clinical element of the Membership specialty examination (MFOM) Part 2.

Session

Managing Risk in Occupational Health Service Delivery

With demand for work and health services at an all-time high, ensuring quality and consistency has never been more important. As occupational health support expands to meet growing workforce needs, there is an urgent need for robust assurance that practitioners are delivering competent, evidence-based advice that improves outcomes for individuals, employers, and the wider economy.

Biography

I am an accredited specialist in occupational medicine, with over 15 years of experience in delivering occupational health services, first within the military and subsequently in the private, public and third (not-for-profit) sector.

I now run a social enterprise delivering a wide range of workplace health and wellbeing services in addition to developing training for occupational health professionals.

I have an MSc in Medical Education and I have a keen interest in educational design.

Session

Advising Clients on Risk: A Framework for Complex Cases

Providing sound clinical advice on risk management is a core aspect of occupational health practice. This session introduces a practical framework for assessing and communicating risk, helping practitioners provide clear, balanced, and evidence-based recommendations.

Using real-world examples from a range of employment sectors, participants will explore how the framework can be applied to complex cases, including physical health conditions, mental health concerns, and safety-critical roles. Attendees will leave with a structured approach that can be applied confidently in day-to-day occupational health practice.