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Gary Parsons
At the peak of that success, Gary was diagnosed with severe depression. He didn't step away. He rebuilt - his approach to pressure, performance, and how he led - and grew the business sustainably before stepping down as CEO in 2024.
His book *Selfish Leaders Win* makes the commercial case for self-leadership. His keynotes and mentoring work with senior leaders in professional services, financial services, and consulting who are performing well on the outside and quietly running out of runway.
Gary also speaks from lived experience of visible difference. Diagnosed with Bell's palsy at 18 and living with permanent facial paralysis, he appeared on Channel 4's Love My Face and campaigns for visible difference charities. He brings the same honesty to conversations about identity, pressure, and performance that he brings to the stage.
Media Coverage
Sky News
Warning signs you're addicted to your jobLong hours have become a staple of life for many people - but there is an important difference between working hard and becoming psychologically addicted to work.
East Midlands
Entrepreneur recognised as one of the UK’s most notable small business owners | TheBusinessDesk.comIn March this year he decided to step away from his business and focus on speaking and charity work
Derby World
Straight-talking Derby entrepreneur wants to become the 'Martin Lewis of mental health experts'Gary Parsons is an inspirational Derby based entrepreneur and keen mental health advocate. He has launched a podcast hosting conversations with Derby leaders exploring the integration of mental health...
Marketing Derby
Gary takes the ‘selfish’ route with new brand that challenges leaders - Marketing DerbyLeadership mentor Gary Parsons has rebranded his business to Selfish Thinking Co to better reflect how it challenges leaders to think about
Marketing Derby
Campaigner chosen to front Changing Faces UK campaign - Marketing DerbyGary Parsons has been chosen to be part of a major national campaign launched this week coinciding with Face Equality Week and Mental Health Awareness Week.
Marketing Derby
Leadership mental health crisis exposed in new report - Marketing DerbyLeadership mentor, speaker and consultant Gary Parsons has teamed up with East Midlands Chamber to gather new research…
London Daily News
Gary Parsons champions Face Equality and Mental Health in leadership after transformative TV experience | London Daily NewsLeadership mentor and entrepreneur Gary Parsons is using Face Equality Week (13-17 May) and Mental Health Awareness Week (13-19 May) to spotlight a subject close to his heart – the mental health of leaders....
Derbyshire Live
‘I woke up at 18 with one side of my face paralysed’Gary is given the option of undergoing facial surgery on Channel 4’s Love My Face, which airs later this week
BBC News
Bell’s palsy: ‘I once cried every day but now I love my face’Gary Parsons says he has now accepted the condition that paralysed half of his face when he was 18.
Daily Mail
Gail’s chairman warns four-day week would strangle businessesBusiness groups called for caution over plans to open up a ‘compressed hours’ four-day work week to more workers, while Tory MPs said it was ‘as mad a way to run an economy as a three-wheeled car’.
East Midlands
CEO of people consultancy steps down | TheBusinessDesk.comHe is leaving the role after 15 years with the business
East Midlands
Entrepreneur announces shift to mental health advocate and speaker | TheBusinessDesk.comHe stepped down as CEO of a consultancy firm in March