Gary Parsons

Leadership Speaker, Mental Health Advocate & Sustainable Growth Expert

Introduction:

Gary Parsons is a leadership speaker and mental health advocate who brings raw honesty to the stage. From launching a business in a global recession just years after being diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, to growing that business into an award-winning success while silently battling depression, Gary knows the hidden cost of leadership firsthand.

He speaks with disarming openness about the pressure to perform, the masks leaders wear, and the toll that high achievement can take on mental health. His signature keynote, ‘Learning How to Smile Again’, explores the invisible weight carried by so many senior leaders – and what changes when we finally find the courage to show up as ourselves.

Diagnosed with facial paralysis at 18, Gary has lived with a visible difference for over 20 years. His story has since reached national audiences through his appearance on Channel 4’s Love My Face, helping him shine a light on the power of vulnerability, the value of difference, and the need for more inclusive, human leadership.

Expertise & Impact:

Gary’s groundbreaking ‘Selfish Leadership’ framework challenges the traditional notion that leadership requires self-sacrifice. After co-founding and scaling a multi-award-winning multinational business, he discovered that the biggest risk to organisational success isn’t external competition, it’s leaders operating at 60% capacity due to burnout.

His ‘Leaders of Disguise’ podcast has featured 25+ episodes of directors and entrepreneurs sharing their mental health journeys, including powerful stories like the successful business tycoon, who secured a multi-million pound acquisition of his business only to attempt suicide that same day – highlighting that success and mental health struggles can coexist.

Speaking Style:

Gary delivers impact through authentic vulnerability, combining personal storytelling with practical strategies. His presentations blend emotional insight with actionablen frameworks, making complex leadership concepts accessible while creating profound connections with audiences. He challenges leaders to see that prioritising themselves isn’t selfish – it’s strategic.

Signature Topics:

  • Selfish Leadership: Why putting yourself first makes you a better leader
  • Breaking the Stigma: Mental health realities for senior leaders
  • Learning to Smile Again: Finding authentic leadership through vulnerability
  • The Hidden Cost of Success: Sustainable growth without burnout
  • Leading with Difference: How visible and invisible differences strengthen leadership 
  • Resilience and Recovery: Building sustainable leadership practices

Additional Expertise:

  • Leadership Wellbeing & Mental Health 
  • Sustainable Business Growth 
  • Vulnerability as Leadership Strength 
  • Diversity & Inclusive Leadership 
  • Crisis Leadership & Resilience
  • Work-Life Integration for Executives 

Perfect for:

  • Executive Leadership Conferences 
  • Mental Health & Wellbeing Summits 
  • Entrepreneurship Events 
  • Diversity & Inclusion Programmes 
  • Corporate Leadership Development 
  • Business Growth & Scaling Events

Career Highlights:

  • Co-founded and scaled a multi-award-winning business across multiple countries 
  • Featured on Channel 4’s ‘Love My Face’ documentary 
  • Host of ‘Leaders of Disguise’ podcast with 25+ episodes 
  • Developed the ‘Selfish Leadership’ framework for sustainable growth 
  • 20+ years of leadership experience with a visible difference (Bell’s Palsy) Mental health advocate specialising in leadership wellbeing

Key Message:

“The biggest risk to your success isn’t the market, your competitors, or your team – it’s you operating at 60% capacity or less. Prioritising yourself isn’t selfish, it’s strategic.”

Impact Story:

“Gary speaks with compassion and drive, drawing from his own lived experiences, he champions positive mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. Encouraging conversations for Leaders to show vulnerability and recognise their own mental ill-health, enabling them to seek support at the earliest opportunity. Gary is an amazing advocate for mental wellbeing in the workplace and is amazing to work with.”
– Kate Wood, Work Health Hub Manager, University of Derby