Sophie Cook

LGBT issues, gender identity and mental health

Former Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate, RAF veteran, writer, speaker, broadcaster, photographer, self-harm and suicide survivor, Dr Sophie Cook FRSA became the first transgender woman to work in football's Premier League as club photographer for AFC Bournemouth following her transition from Steve to Sophie in the summer of 2015. Europe's first trans TV newscaster, Sophie has hosted her own TV and radio chat shows and is an experienced broadcaster.

With clarity, credibility and insight – and by drawing upon her personal experiences – Sophie scrutinises a variety of contemporary issues, from prejudice and discrimination to mental health and resilience. She has extensive experience of working with organisations of all sizes as well as an unrivalled track record of delivering inspirational training on mental health, diversity and inclusion. Sophie helps teams to work more effectively and be more cohesive through the power of shared experience and recognising the things that we have in common rather than those which divide us. She consults with individuals and organisations large and small, throughout the UK and beyond, to reframe their experience of fear and change to enable them to reach their potential. All lessons learned on the painful road through loss to her ultimate redemption.

Sophie's autobiography 'Not Today: How I Chose Life' which charts her personal journey from despair to redemption and acts as a self-help book for anyone out of touch with their authentic selves and struggling with their mental health.

Sophie is co-author of The Hobbs Consultancy Gender Identity in the Workplace e-learning module.