The firm was presented with the Most Innovative New Idea award at the MBC Annual Awards 2025.

The award highlights Matheson’s Elephant in the Room initiative alongside the firm’s Mindful Business Charter activities to foster a culture of openness, psychological safety, and responsible business practice.

Matheson is the only Irish law firm signatory of the Mindful Business Charter, a set of best practice, behavioural principles designed to tackle and reduce unnecessary and avoidable stress in the workplace.

In 2024, the firm launched its initiative with Elephant in the Room — a mental health awareness campaign that uses art to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage conversations. 

The Most Innovative New Idea award acknowledges Matheson’s innovative dual approach:

• Elephant in the Room: Matheson elevated the conversation around mental health with the Elephant in the Room initiative, anchored by an elephant sculpture named OTTO — an acronym for Openly Talking Together Often — displayed in the firm’s office and rotated to Matheson’s other locations to spark ongoing dialogue. Through internal campaigns and OTTO-themed messaging, Matheson continues to promote awareness of OTTO and what he symbolises.

• Mindful Business Charter alignment: The Elephant in the Room initiative is a key part of Matheson’s wellbeing strategy, grounded in the Mindful Business Charter framework. The firm runs an innovative digital campaign to promote mental health awareness across the firm and uses scenario-based learning to help colleagues apply the Charter guidelines in real-world situations. 

Matheson managing partner Michael Jackson said: “We are honoured to receive this recognition, which reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where people feel safe to speak about mental health and seek support.

“The Elephant in the Room initiative, together with the Mindful Business Charter guidelines, are central to how we sustain a positive high-performing culture.

“Promoting mental wellbeing isn’t a one-off effort; it’s part of how we do business, and we are proud that our initiatives are helping to spark important conversations and foster a supportive environment for our colleagues.”

Lorraine Roche, director of HR at Matheson, added: “At Matheson, our people are our strength.

“By integrating the Mindful Business Charter with practical, real-life learning, we have created a culture where mental health is discussed openly, and where our colleagues feel empowered to seek help when they need it.

“The Elephant in the Room initiative is a tangible expression of our commitment to make a positive impact, and we are grateful for this recognition of our innovative approach.”

Richard Martin, CEO, Mindful Business Charter, said: “Matheson have always been so committed to and supportive of the Mindful Business Charter.

“This award reflects their creativity and thinking outside of the box to connect two great initiatives.

“We are delighted to have been able to recognise that and their broader commitment to creating healthier and more effective ways of working.”

Brent Pope, founder of Elephant in the Room, said: “Heartiest congratulations to Matheson on your Mindful Business Charter innovation award.

“Matheson’s adoption of OTTO, their in-house designed elephant, and their continued commitment to mental health initiatives – including supporting the development of our digital offering — has been fantastic.

“Now, there’s a physical and digital OTTO to remind everyone at Matheson that ‘it’s never weak to speak’.”