Welcome to Shandwell - Strategic Health and Wellbeing

Hello.

I’m John Picken and thank you for visiting the Shandwell website.

Shandwell’s purpose is to help make a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of the working age population. 

The demographics of this population are changing as is the understanding that physical and mental health are intrinsically linked.  To address these changes and associated risks effectively, there needs to be much greater emphasis on education, prevention and early intervention.

I hope you find what you read here interesting and useful. If you have any comments or ideas, I’d be very pleased to hear from you.

John Picken
“John's in-depth knowledge and experience of the issues employers face in the Health and Wellbeing arena were instrumental in helping us with key elements of our strategic decision making.”
David Mobbs
David MobbsGroup Chief Executive, Nuffield Health
“John was commissioned by the regional public health community in the East Midlands to engage the Private Sector in work to reduce the rising obesity levels in the region. He successfully employed his powers of negotiation, persuasion and tenacity to exceed his target. His ability to understand the agenda from a public and private sector perspective was key to his success."
Kath Childs
Kath ChildsConsultant in Public Health
“As part of our Well Flourishing People programme, John has engaged our senior leaders in a thought provoking way with his extensive knowledge of the wellbeing market place and public health agenda.”
Tricia O'Neill
Tricia O'NeillGroup Head of Health, Centrica British Gas
"It is quite remarkable how the CEO has changed the culture of the company since his appointment"
Investors in People
John’s passion about workplace health and wellbeing, his knowledge of the corporate wellbeing sector and his calm reflective approach was the perfect combination to help us identify new markets and extend our reach to a number of new audiences. Working with John has been an absolute pleasure, and we look forward to working with him again in the future.
Dr Felicity BakerDirector, Ultimate Resilience CEO

KareHero

14 November 2025

In 2023, for the first time, there were more people of working age caring for adult dependents than there were caring for child dependents. Millions

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