Karl Connor

Karl Connor is head of communications at St Mary’s Hospice which sits in Ulverston, on the edge of the Lake District in Cumbria.

He started his career in journalism, and progressed into comms as a media relations officer, before working in senior roles in internal comms, public affairs and social impact over 13 years Britain’s largest nuclear site.

In 2018 Karl suffered a mental health breakdown, which left him unable to work and, during his darkest periods, suicidal. After lots of therapy and medication, he’s now healthy and happy, but forever changed by his experience. He left the organisation he felt failed him in his hour of need, and has been working in the third sector since 2021.

A keen advocate for mental health, Karl has four children, aged between three and 10, and although he doesn’t have time for much else, does still try and play the odd bit of rugby.