Wellbeing at TLT – a conversation with Claire Graham, Emma Erskine-Fox and Chantal Stroker

This Mental Health Awareness Week (11^th – 17^th May), TLT’s recently appointed Wellbeing and EDI Ambassadors, Claire Graham and Chantal Stroker were joined by Emma Erskine-Fox, Partner and Wellbeing Sponsor, for a wide-ranging discussion about mental health and wellbeing at TLT. 

Chantal: Let’s kick off our discussion by sharing a little bit about ourselves and what we do at TLT. I am a Partner in our Financial Regulation and Disputes (FRD) team, and I specialise in contentious financial regulatory work, from FCA enforcement investigations through to conduct and whistleblowing investigations and remediation and redress schemes. Earlier this year, I was also revealed as TLT’s new EDI Ambassador - a role which sees me lead and influence the direction of the firm’s EDI strategy, and act as a visible figurehead for EDI initiatives and the firm’s employee networks.  

Claire:  I am a Partner in the Restructuring and Insolvency team, specialising in investigations, litigation and director conduct work, largely within the public sector. Alongside my client role, I am TLT’s Wellbeing Ambassador, leading the firm’s wellbeing strategy and championing a culture where people feel supported, included and able to perform at their best. 

Emma: I’m a Partner in TLT’s Digital, Data and Commercial team, sitting in our Data segment. I focus primarily on data protection and AI, particularly for Financial Services and Digital clients. Wellbeing is a central part of how I practise and I was really pleased to take on the role of Wellbeing Sponsor recently. Outside work, I’m mum to a four year-old, wife to a nearly-40-year-old, a singer, a runner and a breastfeeding peer supporter! 

Chantal: What does ‘good wellbeing’ look like to you in practice, and how do you hope colleagues will feel the impact of your role day to day? 

Claire: Good wellbeing is about creating an environment where people feel psychologically safe and supported, and able to speak openly without fear of judgement. In practice, this means inclusive leadership, open conversations about workload and capacity, and visible support for colleagues when challenges arise.

Emma: I think there can be a misconception in law firms that looking after your wellbeing means not working hard. But to me it’s about acknowledging the pressures of our jobs and finding ways to manage our wellbeing and look after ourselves and each other so that we are equipped to handle those pressures without sacrificing our wellbeing and that of those around us.  

Chantal: Why did you want to step into the roles of Wellbeing Ambassador and Wellbeing Sponsor at TLT? 

Claire: I have seen first-hand how pressures both inside and outside of work can build over time, particularly in a profession like law. With increasing client demands and often limited timeframes, it is not always possible to remove pressure entirely.

That is why I wanted to help shape an approach to wellbeing that is practical, inclusive and grounded in real experiences, so people feel supported and do not have to navigate challenges alone. It is also important to recognise that we all have lives beyond work, and that these can be complex at times.

By fostering a culture where people feel supported, we can ensure the right guidance and signposting is available at the earliest opportunity for those who need it.

Emma: Wellbeing has always been central to how I practise, manage and lead. TLT’s commitment to wellbeing was something that first attracted me to the firm when I applied for a vacation scheme in 2011, and it remains a key part of its culture today.

I was part of the first cohort of Mental Health and Wellbeing Ambassadors when the programme was introduced, so I feel strongly invested in its continued success. When the opportunity arose to take on the Sponsor role and act as a senior advocate for the initiative, I jumped at the chance!

While TLT has already made significant progress in this area, there is always more to be done. I’m particularly focused on representing and amplifying the voices of our Ambassadors, ensuring their ideas and insights are heard at a senior level so we can continue to build on the strong foundations established in recent years.

Chantal: You’re both known as strong advocates in your fields. If you had to compare your approach to leadership to an animal, what would it be – and why? For myself, and I did ask my team this, I’d be a dolphin... collaborative, empathetic, an adaptive style that emphasises trust, intelligence, and shared purpose, and "people-oriented," fostering inclusive environments where leadership shifts to those with the best skills for a given situation.

Claire: An Old English Sheepdog. I like to think that I am calm, attentive and protective, focused on keeping the group supported, connected and moving in the right direction.  

Emma: I would say that my leadership style is approachable, authentic, open and collaborative – so perhaps a penguin. They’re community-focussed, look after each other, and lead through action, not hierarchy.  

Chantal: Being active engaged allies, and looking out for our colleague’s mental health as well as our own is important - when someone is struggling, what are a few simple signs colleagues and managers can look out for – and what’s a supportive first step to take? 

Claire: Changes in behaviour, withdrawal, strangely timed emails, or someone seeming unusually overwhelmed can all be indicators. A supportive first step is always a simple check-in – asking how someone is, listening without judgement, and signposting support if needed. 

Emma: As Claire highlighted, it is often small changes in behaviour that signal when someone may need support. A simple message, such as checking in to see if everything is okay and offering time for a conversation, can make a meaningful difference, helping people feel recognised and supported, and creating space for them to speak openly if they choose to.

 Chantal: If you could give one message to someone who’s unsure whether to speak up about their mental health at work, what would you say? 

 Claire: You are not alone, and support is available, you do not need to wait until things feel unmanageable before reaching out.  

 Emma:  There couldn’t be a much safer place to speak up than TLT – you’ll have nothing but positive outcomes from doing so.  

 Chantal: I would echo both of those responses. Now, the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week this year is ‘Take Action’. What’s one action you have taken – or will take – to make TLT a more supportive workplace?”

Claire: One action I am taking is demonstrating openness and being available to listen to anyone within TLT . I am deliberate about talking openly about me being neurodivergent, a carer , the pressure of the daily job and my own need to ask for help at times and I encourage others to do the same. I believe by making these conversations part of everyday leadership behaviour, rather than exceptional moments and by being authentic, people feel more confident raising their own issues early and supporting one another without fear of judgement.  

Emma: I think it’s really important that people across the firm see positive wellbeing role-modelled at a senior level, so I always make sure that wellbeing-related activities I do, like running, volunteering or even just taking a break, are blocked out and publicly visible in my diary. It’s a small step, but a powerful one to show everyone that it’s OK to prioritise your wellbeing.  

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