Owner and Head of Coaching & Training | Empowering workplace wellness through the science of resilience, mental health advocacy, and psychological safety.
In the modern corporate landscape, the line between professional performance and personal well-being has often been treated as a secondary consideration. However, for Kes Smith-Green, the Owner and Head of Coaching and Training at KSG Wellness, this boundary is the very foundation of a sustainable career. Driven by the conviction that “work should cause no harm to an employee’s physical and psychosocial welfare,” Kes has spent over a decade transforming how organizations in the UK and the UAE approach the human element of business. By blending the rigorous logic of his early background with the empathetic science of psychology, he is building a blueprint for workplaces where employees don’t just survive—they thrive.
A Journey Rooted in Structure and Science
Kes’s professional evolution began with a deep appreciation for evidence and education, evidenced by his early academic focus on Biology, Chemistry, and Physics. This scientific curiosity eventually evolved into a fascination with human behavior and mental health. His career trajectory saw him managing complex projects, such as the Olympic Media Centre for the London 2012 Olympics, where the pressure of high-stakes environments was ever-present. These early experiences provided a firsthand look at how stress and environmental factors can impact a workforce, planting the seeds for his future transition into wellness advocacy.
Kes recognized a fundamental flaw in the traditional corporate mindset: the attempt to decouple the professional from the personal. He maintains that “gone are the days of we separate home life from work life; after all, why does anyone work, except to provide for a secure home life where families matter”. This realization became the bedrock of his coaching philosophy, moving him to acquire certifications as a CBT Practitioner, NLP Coach, and Positive Psychology Coach to better serve the needs of the modern worker.
Breaking Barriers in the UAE
Since 2016, Kes has become a prominent voice in the UAE’s wellness sector, establishing KSG Wellness Coaching and Training. His career has been marked by a willingness to challenge the status quo, particularly regarding men’s mental health. Recognizing that traditional methods often fail to engage male employees, Kes pioneered innovative approaches, such as using anonymous real-time digital platforms to allow men to ask questions without fear of being singled out. To him, this is essential because “for people to learn, they need to connect with the subject matter. After all, who doesn’t want to understand themselves better, or feel supported?”.
His impact caught the attention of major organizations like ENOC, where his work transitioned from focused initiatives to a cornerstone of their broader wellbeing strategy. Leila Kazim, a Workforce Wellbeing Leader, noted that Kes’s voluntary Friday wellbeing visits—connecting with employees directly on the ground—were instrumental in fostering a culture of trust. She observed that his impact was not just anecdotal but measurable, stating: “The positive shift in morale is reflected in tangible outcomes, including a noticeable drop in sick days off… a testament to the real difference his work is making”.
A Science-Based Legacy of Impact
Today, Kes is focused on making high-level mental health support accessible and scientifically grounded. He is currently developing work that explains the scientific nature of stress, burnout, and resilience, ensuring that his strategies are backed by more than just good intentions. His mission is to provide tools—such as psychometric tests for leaders and employees—at a lower cost than the current market average, ensuring that even under-represented cultures receive the support they deserve.
Kes’s influence extends into the legislative and educational spheres, where he consults for schools and large organizations on navigating new wellness-related laws. He is a staunch advocate for shifting the focus from mere “knowledge” to “skill,” believing that the ability to support others is a qualified discipline that requires specialized training, such as the UK RQF Level 3 certifications he provides.
Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, Kes Smith-Green aims to bring his expertise to the boardroom, helping organizations integrate mental health and inclusive culture directly into their policies and procedures. He envisions a world where every leader is equipped with emotional intelligence and every employee feels safe enough to be vulnerable.
As he continues to challenge the perception of wellness roles within executive leadership, his commitment remains unshakable: to empower people to find balance in an ever-chaotic world. His journey serves as a reminder that when we prioritize the person over the process, the entire organization succeeds.
Editorial Note
Kes Smith-Green’s journey illustrates that mental health is not a “soft skill” but a business imperative. His transition from the world of engineering and project management to wellness coaching proves that a structured, science-based approach can revolutionize how we feel at work. Are you ready to lead with empathy and build a more resilient culture? Let Kes’s story be your catalyst for change.
