Business leader set to make a visible difference

Leadership mental health advocate and speaker Gary Parsons has been selected to deliver a programme which aims to tackle facial and visible difference in professional environments.

Gary is one of a handful of trainers who will deliver Face Equality International’s (FEI) new workplace inclusivity programme.

FEI, a global charity advocating for individuals with facial differences, estimates that one in 111 people live with a visible difference.

Despite this, facial difference remains largely overlooked in workplace inclusivity efforts.

FEI’s new Lunch & Learn training programme is set to change that – helping businesses foster awareness, understanding, and inclusion for employees with facial differences.

As a leadership mental health and wellbeing expert, Gary has long championed inclusivity, resilience, and authenticity in leadership.

His selection for this programme builds on his advocacy work with Facial Palsy UK, where he is delivering key sessions for Facial Palsy Awareness Week.

This new role will allow him to take his expertise beyond the facial difference community, educating workplaces on the realities of living and working with a visible difference.

Gary’s passion for this mission is deeply personal. At just 18 years old, he was diagnosed with Bell’s Palsy, a condition that left him with facial paralysis.

For years, he struggled with self-esteem, masking his insecurities behind professional success.

Now, after building a multi-award-winning business and becoming a sought-after speaker on leadership resilience and mental health, he is using his story to break stigma and drive change.

He said: “This programme is a game-changer for workplace inclusion. Too often, conversations about diversity miss visible difference, and it’s time that changed.

“As someone with lived experience, I know how challenging it can be to navigate professional spaces when you feel different.

“I’m proud to be part of this initiative and excited to help businesses become truly inclusive for everyone.”

The Lunch & Learn training sessions offer businesses and organisations the opportunity to gain first-hand insights into what it’s like to live and work with a facial difference.

Combining research, real-world experiences, and practical strategies, these interactive sessions help employers and colleagues create a more appearance-inclusive culture.

Businesses can book a session directly through Face Equality International or by contacting Gary at gary@garyparsons.uk.