Robert Common combines AI and traditional Eastern practices to support his mental healthcare services.
What’s your story?
I have worked in the social services and mental health field for twenty years, initially in international development with the UN and other agencies. I am now the founder and CEO of a private mental health group of companies, called the Beekeeper, that offers services in Asia in facilities in Thailand and Sri Lanka, with an office opening in London as well, but serves a very international clientele. We have over 120 staff offering groundbreaking and industry-disrupting services. My personal story is one that drove the vision of the company, concerning its ethics and principles and service provision.
What excites you most about your industry?
The Beekeeper was inspired by my personal experiences, which deeply shaped our commitment to ethical practices, innovation, and compassionate care in the mental health care sector. We provide some of the most groundbreaking services in the industry, blending innovative technology with age-old Eastern practices in clinical settings to create truly transformative care. We love combining these time honoured approaches with AI, and the latest technology, recently winning a regional award for most innovative technology in healthcare for our use of technology in serving our patients during their stay with us, and beyond.
What drives you in your career to push beyond what other people consider normal?
At its heart, The Beekeeper is about creating safe, nurturing spaces for individuals to find their path to recovery and resilience. This is a source of tremendous drive for me personally. I am able to see first hand the changes we affect in individuals, seeing that life saving change is inspirational. I hear and see their stories first hand, I am a hands on CEO and patients know me by name. They also know my personal story and what drives me as I have been open about my own personal challenges in life with mental health.
What have been the most useful skills you have learnt and applied in your journey?
Throughout my journey, active listening and empathy have been the foundation of my work, helping me build trust with those I serve. Critical thinking and agile management have guided me through complex challenges, my leadership style is “lead by example” (I am in the office at 4:30am) have shaped my ability to inspire teams effectively, especially in times when things have been tough. I’ve learned that adaptability and resilience are key in the healthcare sector, which is difficult to break into and establish yourself. I have also found that relentless building of networks and enabling business coalitions is vital.
What’s the best piece of advice you ever received?
That’s an easy answer. Manage your own PR in a company. We are often focussed on what the external audience thinks of us, or what our line manager thinks of us. We lose the sight of the fact that PR, perception of oneself, is wider than that. Manage your own PR and relationships within a company with the same care as you would your own company.
Who inspires you?
Johann Hari is a journalist and author known for challenging conventional views on mental health and addiction. His books, Chasing the Scream and Lost Connections, explore the social and psychological roots of addiction and depression, arguing that disconnection—rather than chemical dependence—is the true driver of suffering. Hari advocates for systemic change, emphasizing the importance of community, purpose, and meaningful relationships in healing. His work has influenced global discussions on drug policy and mental health services, encouraging a shift from punitive models to compassionate, evidence-based care. His storytelling bridges science and social justice, making complex issues accessible and urgent.
What have you learnt recently that blew you away?
One thing that really struck me recently is the emerging research on psychedelics and neuroplasticity—specifically how substances like psilocybin (magic mushrooms) and MDMA are showing profound effects in treating PTSD, depression, and addiction.
What’s fascinating is that these compounds don’t just offer short-term symptom relief; they appear to rewire the brain by promoting neuroplasticity, allowing people to process trauma in ways traditional therapies often struggle to reach. Studies show that a single guided session with psychedelics can produce lasting therapeutic change, sometimes more effective than years of talk therapy alone.
If you had your time again, what would you do differently?
If I had the chance to do things differently, I’d probably focus even more on asking better questions earlier in my life; pushing deeper into the “why” behind things rather than just the “what.” The most meaningful insights often come from challenging assumptions, and I think I’d try to cultivate that even sooner in my life. In terms of working in the healthcare sector, I could write a book on what not do, but I celebrate mistakes and learning so whereas I might be up to chapter 350 I am a better leader for it.
How do you unwind?
Unwinding is probably my greatest flaw. I am an avid practitioner of mindfulness, but not nearly enough. I used to run ultra marathons which might seem like an odd way of unwinding, but I loved it. Sadly I had to give it up. I have a wonderful family, two dogs and a passion for cooking. They keep me grounded, but even the dogs complain I overwork.
What is a major mindset change, belief shift or ‘ah ha’ moment that you’ve experienced in relation to your career?
One of the biggest mindset shifts I’ve come across is becoming a 3am riser, not just for the sake of productivity, but for clarity, deep work, and mental resilience. It has given me so much clarity. At first, it seemed extreme. Why wake up when the world is still asleep? But the silence of 3am creates a mental clarity that’s almost impossible to find during the day’s chaos. There are no emails, no distractions, just uninterrupted time to think, reflect, and execute on what truly matters. It’s like having a head start while everyone else is still in reset mode.
Everyone in business should read this book:
One profoundly insightful book that you should read when starting out, it would be “The Lean Startup” by Eric Ries. While the concept of lean methodology might seem like standard business advice, the quirky part lies in how Ries challenges conventional wisdom like testing ideas with customers before they’re even built or embracing failure as an essential part of success.
What makes it stand out is the “Build-Measure-Learn” feedback loop, which pushes us to think of startups as experiments to be constantly tweaked based on real data. An absolute game-changer for anyone navigating early stages of entrepreneurship.
Shameless plug for your business or career:
With a background in human services, psychology, and mental health services, I specialize in creating innovative solutions that make a real impact. Whether it’s designing effective interventions, building scalable mental health models, or enhancing social service systems, I focus on transforming complex challenges into sustainable, meaningful change. Having led multi-million-pound initiatives and worked at the intersection of policy, care, and research, I bring a wealth of experience in delivering results that improve lives. If you’re looking to make a lasting difference, let’s collaborate and turn your ideas into powerful, actionable solutions that drive positive outcomes.
How can people connect with you?
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvmvmvmvmvmvm-1798388b/
Social Media Links?
https://www.instagram.com/robcommon/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mvmvmvmvmvmvm-1798388b/
This interview is part of the CallumConnects series.