REBA Congress 2026

Lara Lewington

Technology broadcaster, journalist and author specialising in AI and health

For fifteen years she presented the BBC’s flagship technology programme Click, covering breakthrough innovations around the world. She fronted Panorama’s Beyond Human: Artificial Intelligence and Us, and has hosted tech specials for ITV’s Tonight, BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and other major outlets, exploring how artificial intelligence, science and innovation are reshaping our everyday lives.

Her critically acclaimed book Hacking Humanity (Penguin, 2025) reveals the coming revolution in health, where we can understand, track and predict our bodies’ needs like never before, close the gap between ‘healthspan’ and lifespan, and personalise prevention and treatment for a radically healthier future. She’s also produced and presented several BBC documentaries on the topic, unearthing the real promises of the longevity revolution, and the science that could drive us to age better.

Passionate about helping people navigate a fast-changing world, Lara is known for bringing complex technology to mainstream audiences. As ITV Lorraine’s resident “AI Agony Aunt,” she regularly demystifies artificial intelligence and shows how embracing technology can help us live better, and healthier lives. Before joining Click in 2011, Lara’s media experience was vast and varied. She started out as the weather presenter and showbiz reporter for Channel Five, interviewing the biggest stars in the world, whilst fitting in a few gadget reviews for the channel when she had time. She was the technology columnist for the UK’s biggest selling weekly magazine, Woman, for four years, and has written for numerous other publications.

: https://www.laralewington.com/

Sebastian Fallert

Co-founder and CEO, Ben

Sebastian is the Co-Founder and CEO of Ben, a London-based SaaS startup building an intelligent employee benefits platform. With over 15 years of experience as a tech entrepreneur and investor, he co-founded Ben after leading Secret Escapes' UK market following their acquisition of JustBook, a company he founded.

Sebastian Fallert | LinkedIn

Jennifer Liston-Smith

Strategic Advisor, Bright Horizons Work + Family Solutions

A Certified Principal Business Psychologist, Jennifer has been an influencer in the field of employer best practice for over 20 years, with particular focus on working families, wellbeing, gender inclusion and evidence-based approaches. She is a leadership coach, coaching supervisor and sought-after speaker, writer, conference moderator and consultant. 

Jennifer was a pioneer of parent transition coaching in the early 2000s, and as a Director of My Family Care, then Head of Thought Leadership with Bright Horizons, as well as through her own consultancy People in Progress , she has worked for over 20 years with the US and UK’s largest banks and financial institutions, supporting their talent strategies through financial crisis, pandemic, return to office and more. Jennifer is known for translating trends, public policy and research insights into solutions and practical actions. 

Jennifer Liston-Smith | LinkedIn

Meqele Bleasdille

Strategy & Engagement Consultant, TELUS Health

Meqele Bleasdille is a Strategy & Engagement Consultant at TELUS Health, based in London, UK. Specialising in employee wellbeing, Meqele helps multinational companies optimise their wellbeing solutions and maximise engagement and ROI of their programs. She works directly with a handpicked selection of strategic clients with complex needs to guide and advise them on effective ways to improve employee wellbeing. With 12 years of experience in the employee assistance and wellbeing industry, having worked both in-house and with providers, Meqele brings a comprehensive understanding of global workplace wellness strategies and is considered a thought leader in her field.

Meqele Bleasdille | LinkedIn

Richard E. Grant

Academy Award, BAFTA and Golden Globe nominated actor

Richard E. Grant is a renowned actor, screenwriter, and director, best known for his breakthrough role in Withnail & I (1987). He has starred in numerous films, including Gosford Park, Dracula, and Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, and earned an Oscar nomination for Can You Ever Forgive Me? (2018). 

Born in Mbabane, Swaziland, Grant developed a passion for acting from a young age. He holds a degree in English and Drama from the University of Cape Town, where he co-founded the Troupe Theatre Company. He moved to London in 1982 to pursue his career.

In 2022, Richard published A Pocketful of Happiness: a moving, candid memoir based on diaries, chronicling his 35-year marriage to vocal coach Joan Washington, her death from cancer in 2021, and her final challenge to find joy daily. It weaves together deeply personal grief with humorous anecdotes from his acting career.

Dr Mridula Pore

CEO and Co-Founder, Peppy

Mridula is co-founder and CEO of Peppy. She is passionate about making healthcare more affordable and accessible. Mridula started professional life as an engineer, studying first at Cambridge, and then completing her PhD and MBA at MIT. She was previously an engagement manager in the healthcare practice at McKinsey and a business unit head at Sandoz.

Dr Mridula Pore | LinkedIn

Gethin Nadin BSc MBPsS RSPH RSA

Multi-Award-Winning Psychologist, two-times bestselling HR Author and Chief Innovation Officer, Benifex and Zellis

Gethin is an award-winning psychologist, bestselling HR author, and one of the world’s most influential HR thinkers. Gethin was awarded seven trophies in 2024 for his work in influencing the global HR industry, most recently awarded two prestigious Stevie’s awards in New York for HR Thought Leader of the Year and HR Professional of the Year. He was also awarded PwC’s ‘Outstanding Contribution to the Industry’ at the 2024 The Rewards in London. Gethin is also a Fellow at the historic King’s College London, King’s Business School – a business school in the top 1% globally. 

Gethin Nadin | LinkedIn

Steve Watson

Director of Policy and Research, NatWest Cushon

Steve is NatWest Cushon’s Director of Policy & Research. He has spent over 30 years of his career advising organisations on all aspects of pensions and workplace savings both in the UK and internationally.

Stephen Watson | LinkedIn

Matthew Gregson

Executive Director, Howden Employee Benefits

Matthew oversees all aspects of Howden’s proposition for Corporate clients. He has over 20 years’ experience in employee benefits, including a large portion of his career helping shape the flexible benefits market in the UK.

Matthew has personally helped many large and complex employers introduce transformational change to their pension and benefits programmes, working with providers and partners in industry to innovate and maximise the value they bring to clients.

Matthew Gregson | LinkedIn