Meet Our Team

John McHugh
Align Founder

Background:
John McHugh's journey in the construction industry began on the ground floor, working from domestic to commercial projects. Starting as a labourer and later qualifying as an electrician, John has experienced the industry's demands at every level. His deep understanding of the day-to-day pressures faced by workers fuels his passion for improving their mental health support.

Personal Motivation:
John believes deeply in the power of open conversation about mental health. His commitment to this cause grew from personal experience—finding that sharing his own struggles encouraged others to open up. The turning point came when tragedy struck close to home; last year, a close friend of John's lost two friends to suicide, both of them seemingly carefree and strong scaffolders. This profound loss highlighted the urgent need for preventive mental health support and spurred John to take action.

Kay Hickey
Business Development Manager

Background:
Kay Hickey has over a decade of experience in the construction industry, a field close to her heart due to her family's deep roots in it. With qualifications in Human Resources Practice and Internal Auditing, Kay has developed strong skills in HR, compliance management, and social media marketing. Her passion for helping others is evident through her fundraising efforts for Cancer Research UK and Barnardo's Children.

Personal Motivation:
Having seen the challenges of mental health firsthand in construction, Kay is committed to making a difference. She has completed a course on mental health and joined Align as a Business Development Manager and Marketing Lead to drive change. Kay aims to raise awareness and support mental well-being in the construction industry, ensuring everyone has the resources they need to thrive.

Our vision at Align is to create a world where mental health is prioritized just as much as physical safety in the construction industry. We see a future where every worker has access to the tools they need to manage stress, communicate openly, and improve their emotional well-being. Through technology and community, we aim to break down the stigma around mental health and build an industry that supports its workers on all fronts.

Our mission is to empower construction workers by providing innovative, accessible, and effective mental health resources. Align is designed to offer support through features like AI-driven chatbots, mood logs, and a supportive community platform. By integrating mental health care into daily routines, we help workers manage stress, address personal and work-related issues, and improve their overall productivity and job satisfaction. We are committed to transforming the construction industry into a more supportive and productive environment.

A world where every construction worker thrives.

Empowering Workers to Achieve Mental and Emotional Well-being.

Our Vision

Our Mission