Jill Mason
Jill Mason is Head of the Health and Care sector at national commercial law firm Mills & Reeve. She leads teams advising more than 400 clients across the public, independent and voluntary sectors, covering areas including mental health law, employment, pensions and immigration, real estate, regulation, information governance, health tech, contracting and procurement and governance.
Jill is Client Relationship Partner for several key sector clients, including mental health providers, giving her deep insight into the pressures facing organisations across the system, particularly in the context of ongoing reform.
She also leads the firm’s healthcare, mental health and care homes teams, advising providers, commissioners, operators and investors on complex patient care matters. Her work includes Mental Health Act and Mental Capacity Act advice, risk management, duty of candour, independent investigations and public inquiries.
Jill has closely followed the development of Mental Health Act reform, hosting a workshop in 2018 with Professor Sir Simon Wessely, Steven Gilbert and Stephen Dorrell, and speaking at a Public Policy Projects panel in early 2019. In March 2021, she chaired a Mental Health Network webinar with Simon Wessely, Steven Gilbert and Dr Adrian James on the latest position.
She is recognised as a Leading Partner by the Legal 500 and an Eminent Practitioner by Chambers. A recent client described Mills & Reeve as “the best legal advisers I have ever worked with.”
Mills & Reeve are the current holders of the Health Investor Legal Advisors of the Year – Private award.
Dr Adrian James
Dr Adrian James is NHS England’s National Medical Director for Mental Health and Neurodiversity.
He served as President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists from 2020 to 2023 and is a board member of the NHS Race and Health Observatory, a member of the NHS Assembly and the former inaugural medical director of Devon Partnership NHS Trust.
During his presidency, Dr James led the College through the Covid-19 pandemic, championing quality improvement initiatives focused on workforce wellbeing and equality, diversity and inclusion. He oversaw the collation of evidence on Covid-19 risks for people with serious mental illness or a learning disability, supporting their prioritisation for vaccination.
A core priority of his leadership was advancing parity of esteem, ensuring mental health is valued equally with physical health.
Steve Gilbert OBE
With more than a decade of experience leading work to tackle racism and improve outcomes for people living with mental illness, Steve Gilbert OBE is a respected speaker, consultant and coach for organisations committed to meaningful change.
He is widely recognised for his deep subject expertise, powerful and engaging presentations, clarity of communication, warmth and relatability. Steve is frequently invited to deliver and chair keynote sessions at major sector events, valued for his thoughtful preparation and candid insight.
Professor Asif Zia
Professor Asif Zia is a consultant psychiatrist and Executive Director for Quality and Medical Leadership at Hertfordshire Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust. He was appointed Chair of the NHS Confederation Mental Health Network’s Medical Director Forum in July 2022.
Asif has contributed extensively to service development and quality improvement at regional and national levels. He has published peer‑reviewed papers and policy documents on service delivery models, quality standards, service user engagement, managed clinical networks and clinical topics including epilepsy and autism. He was named Professional of the Year by the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 2021.
Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon)
Alex Ruck Keene KC (Hon) is a barrister, writer and educator specialising in mental capacity, mental health and healthcare law.
He served as legal adviser to the Independent Review of the Mental Health Act, which informed the development of the Mental Health Act 2025. Alex has also acted as a specialist adviser to the Joint Committee on Human Rights, including for its inquiry into human rights in care settings.
In March 2022, he was appointed an honorary KC in recognition of his significant contributions to mental capacity and mental health law beyond the courtroom.
